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carleasingconcierge · 4 years

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Best 9 Cars For Depreciation

As cars age, they slowly lose value, what cars lose the least amount of value?

Cars are driven, get dinged up, repaired, and driven some more.

At that time, they become less valuable, and when you go to trade in or sell that vehicle, you learn the exact price of your time with it.

Some retain a good deal of value and only depreciate at a minimal rate.

If your car is on the following list, you have the benefit of a valuable asset if trading in for a new vehicle – or a car that’s worth holding on to [Here are the value kings].

#9. Subaru WRX

First-Year Depreciation : 14.2% OR $4,115

The Subaru WRX is no surprise here. Subaru has been building its reputation for value and reliability since the first few cars in 1968.

Since then, the brand has continued to build value in itself as a trusty, reliable brand for everyone from Vermont moms to San Francisco dads.

What used to be a small Japanese brand that barely made an impact on US sales figures has grown to be the fastest-growing car brand in the US.

What’s impressive is they still hold onto the values that made them famous here in the US in the first place: reliability and of course, AWD on every model.

The other side of the Subaru brand in motorsports, namely, rally racing. Since the early ’90s, Subaru has dominated the rally scene with its flat-four engines and symmetrical AWD.

The WRX is the street going version of their dominating rally car and has been known to hold its value due to its reliability, excellent value, year-round performance, and die-hard fans.

#8. Jeep Renegade

First-Year Depreciation : 14.1% OR $2,897

Jeeps are something of an anomaly for American vehicles. Where most American vehicles lose significant value as soon as you sign the dotted line, Jeeps religious fan-base and known reliability have kept them above the standard depreciation mark.

What started from the more off-road-ready Wrangler, the entire Jeep line-up has benefitted from the brand's excellent reputation.

The Jeep Renegade, Jeep’s smallest offering, is a no brainer for depreciation limits. The low starting MSRP combined with the brand's reputation means the depreciation values are low. Far lower than the other compact SUVs on the market today.

#7. Honda HR-V

First-Year Depreciation : 13.8% OR $2,885

Riding a similar brand-wave as the Jeep Renegade, the Honda HR-V benefits from its older brothers and sisters in the line-up. Honda’s outstanding reliability marks have been bequeathed to the baby-SUV Honda HR-V.

Being the smallest SUV offered by Honda, and therefore, the most affordable, the HR-V suffers less of a hit in the first year of ownership, since there is simply less percentage to take away from the original price.

To top this off, the little HR-V has proven itself to be an excellent performing SUV with top-notch reliability and value.

#6. Chevrolet Colorado

First-Year Depreciation: 13.7% OR $4,154

Pick-up trucks have traditionally always held their values better than SUVs or sedans, so it’s no surprise that we have three on this list. Small trucks take a reduced hit in the first year as they have less to lose of their original price.

The Chevrolet Colorado is a clear winner on the list. As a truck, it already retains excellent value and the lower starting price helps eliminate much of the initial depreciation that a new vehicle sees.

The Colorado has also been receiving excellent ratings which help the resale value remain high.

As the long term reliability ratings roll, people are seeing that the Colorado is a reliable, affordable workhorse of a truck, and that means its value stays high.

#5. Honda Pilot

First-Year Depreciation: 13.7% OR $4,858

Hondas have always had excellent resale value, mostly due to their outstanding reliability ratings.

The Honda Pilot is no exception in this right. Receiving top picks from accredited raters the Pilot has proven itself to be an outstanding, practical third-row SUV.

While it may not be as pretty as some of the competition (Hyundai Palisade), it sure can perform.

The reliability, fuel economy, and figures such as cargo space, are all superior to much of the competition.

What this means in the long is these reliable, practical cars have excellent resale value as they are able to do their intended task just as well as the day they drove off the lot.

#4. Nissan Frontier

First-Year Depreciation: 13.7% OR $4,858

The Nissan Frontier has been chugging along in the background for some years now.

Lost in the light to the popular trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and the back-from-the-dead Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado, the Nissan Frontier has continued to be a small, affordable, reliable truck.

There is simply not much to the little thing, and since the new Frontiers are relatively similar to the pre-owned options, there isn’t much incentive to buy new over pre-owned.

Which is good for depreciation, but bad for Nissan sales. However, you, as the owner, benefit greatly.

#3. Toyota 4Runner

First-Year Depreciation: 12.7% OR $4,605

Toyota SUVs are known throughout the world to be the most reliable vehicles around.

The long-lasting abilities of Toyota SUVs have proven themselves from everywhere from rural China to central Africa.

The Toyota 4Runner also has benefited from the recent uptick of interest in off-road-ready SUVs.

The rugged off-road look has taken off and everyone wants an SUV that looks like it can tackle the Moab Trails.

What all this means for the 4Runner is the value has nearly stayed the same from purchase.

A 12.7% depreciation rate is outstanding and breaks down to a mear $383 a month in your first year, unbelievable numbers for a family SUV.

#2. Toyota Tacoma

First-Year Depreciation : 10.4% OR $3,320

The Toyota Tacoma pretty much checks all the boxes. It’s small to the midsize truck, off-road-ready, world-renowned reliability, and outstanding practicality.

The reputation alone of the Tacoma is enough to ensure its spot on this list.

People want to know their vehicle is going to last even through the apocalypse, and there aren’t many vehicles I would want to visit the end of the world in than a Tacoma.

People just can't get enough of the “Taco”, and that means your resale value holds solid throughout the years.

With a depreciation value of only 10.4%, you’re almost losing money NOT buying a Tacoma.

#1. Jeep Wrangler

First-Year Depreciation: 8.9% OR $3,199

The Jeep Wrangler is somewhat an anomaly on this list. They’re not entirely practical, they aren’t extremely comfortable, they aren’t even all that efficient, but what they are, is a strong brand name that has held true to its values.

The Wrangler has always held an excellent resale value. Even 20-year-old Jeeps still pull excellent profits.

The off-road-ready fun nature of these vehicles has enabled them to hold onto a die-hard fan base, and the dependability to back it up.

Jeep has not let their fans down with the new JL platform and has continued to be the best off-road vehicle you can buy.

Today’s Jeeps are beginning to get more practical, even more, reliable than they were already, and even more comfortable.

Modern conveniences and safety features mean they have only increased their resale value throughout the years.

Closing

When shopping for a car, a practical shopper always looks at their vehicle as an investment.

You will always be in the black when purchasing a vehicle, you still have to pay for the car that you used, but by buying smart, you can reduce the amount by a significant margin.

These top vehicles have proven themselves time and time again as being smart buys, and all earn a well-deserved Car Leasing Concierge Smart Buy award.

#best car buys #subaru wrx #chevy #wrangler #toyota #Toyota Tacoma #toyota 4 runner #honda #honda crv

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carleasingconcierge · 4 years

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How To Stop A Car Shark!

vimeo

How To Stop

Car Shark!

Find out how easy it is to control car sharks the next time you go to a car dealership to purchase or lease any new vehicle😲

Your best price is not always your best deal!

Today it’s not that hard to get a good price on a new car. The problem is a good price is not always your best deal. Car dealers have many avenues they can easily steer you down to make up the difference.

For example:

Inflate finance rates ——— 5 to 20%

Inflate lease rates ———— 5 to 20%

Documentation fees — $75 to $695

Processing fees ——— $175 to $700

Bank fees ————— $495 to $995

Even undervalue your trade-in.

These amounts can easily add up to hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Solution

My Car Price Check

It’s just like buying a house! You have an unbiased professional check it out before you sign.

We’ll check the best price quote you think you have in our system to see how good of a deal you really do or don’t have because numbers don’t lie but salespeople will.

Your My Car Price Check report not only exposes any hidden markups and fees that mostly go undetected by car buyers but also shows you how to easily eliminate them.

Remember it never hurts to get a 2nd opinion before you sign. This way you can rest easy knowing you’ve secured the best deal possible for your hard-earned dollars.

Most buyers end up saving hundreds to thousands of dollars! Will you be next?

Includes a FREE 10-minute consultation with a professional car-buying expert.

Car Leasing Concierge The Car Buyer’s Advocate!

#CARS #auto blogger #suv lease deals #best new car deals #money #car leasing service NY NJ CT #car buying service #Luxury lease deals #car leasing ny #car leasing nj

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carleasingconcierge · 5 years

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8 SUV’s Under $25K

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, there are many great options to choose from. One type of vehicle that can provide you with a lot of safety features, style, comfort, and space is a SUV.

While most people will be concerned that a new SUV will come with a very high price tag, there are actually many great SUV options that can fit into almost anyone’s budget.

Here are eight SUVs, in particular, that offer a wide variety of great features and start at under $25,000 for a new model.

1. Jeep Compass Sport

One of the most popular affordable SUVs on the road today is the Jeep Compass Sport. This SUV was recently redesigned with a new body and style features. The Compass Sport comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that will produce about 180 horsepower.

While it comes standard with a manual transmission, it can easily be upgraded to an automatic transmission for a small additional fee.

The four-cylinder engine provides around 1,000 pounds in towing capacity while also giving very good fuel efficiency for an SUV of 32 mpg when driving on the highway and 23 mpg in the city.

The base model also comes with a variety of features including a six-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay entertainment, and a rearview camera. All of this can be purchased for just $21,500

2. Toyota RAV4

Another very popular affordable SUV that comes standard with some great features is the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 continues to be one of the best-selling SUVs on the market today due to its high safety and reliability ratings as well as standard safety and entertainment features.

The RAV4 starts at just over $24,660 and comes with a standard four-cylinder engine that will produce about 176 horsepower, but also gets a blended fuel efficiency of 27 mpg.

One of the biggest selling points of the RAV4 is the standard 6.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, and six speakers.

For those that are looking for more safety features, the standard rearview camera and Toyota Safe Sense package provide a range of benefits.

This safety package includes standard lane keep assist, lane departure warnings, and pedestrian detection. These features have helped it to receive top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

3. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V continues to be one of the best-rated affordable SUVs each year. This SUV comes with a starting price point of just $24,250 and has a variety of performance, entertainment, and safety features that allow it to be among the best in class.

The base engine option in the Honda CR-V is a four-cylinder engine that will provide up to 185 horsepower. This engine will also allow you to get very good fuel efficiency of around 26 mpg when driving in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

The CR-V comes standard with a variety of different entertainment and safety features that include a four-speaker audio system, USB ports, and a five-inch display that also includes a rearview camera view.

Some of the other top safety features that come standard include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Both the IIHS and NHTSA have given the CR-V very high safety ratings because of these features.

4. Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is another SUV that provides a surprising number of standard features for a low price. While it starts with a price point of just under $23,000.

The Mitsubishi Outlander continues to impress people with some of the base safety features including brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, and a wide variety of airbags.

The Outlander also comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen display, a USB port, HD Radio, and Bluetooth capabilities.

The Outlander is also one of the few SUVs priced under $25,000 that has a third row and can seat seven passengers. When the third row is folded down, there is also ample cargo space.

The base Outlander engine option is a four-cylinder option that will produce about 165 horsepower. At the same time, its average fuel efficiency of about 27 mpg is among the best for any SUV that has a third row.

5. Mazda CX-3

For those that are on a budget, the Mazda CX-3 is a great option. Starting at under $20,000 brand-new, the CX-3 is among the most affordable SUVs on the market.

At the same time, it comes with many different standard features. Some of the basic features that come with the CX-3 include the Mazda Connect infotainment system, a seven-inch display system, six-speaker audio systems, Bluetooth, and Internet streaming audio services.

The CX-3 also has a variety of standard safety features including a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts. While the CX-3 has a lot of features, it has one of the smaller engine options.

The base 2.0-liter engine produces just under 150 horsepower. However, at the same time, it has an average fuel efficiency rating of about 32 mpg, which is the best in class.

6. Hyundai Tucson

Starting at just under $22,500, the Hyundai Tucson has continued to be a very popular affordable SUV option for consumers. This SUV comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, which produces around 160 horsepower.

The fuel efficiency is very good compared to the competition with a blended average of around 28 mpg.

The two-row SUV comes standard with a variety of tech and entertainment features including a five-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth capabilities, a USB port, and a five-speaker audio system.

For those that are looking for more safety features, the Tucson also comes standard with a rearview camera and many different airbags.

For a small fee, you can upgrade to an enhanced safety and entertainment package that will provide a larger touchscreen display, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.

7. Subaru Forester

When you are looking for a quality affordable SUV, another great option is the Subaru Forester. This SUV starts at just over $24,000 and comes equipped with many different interior and safety features.

Some of the top standard features including a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay or Android Audio integration, two USB ports, and Bluetooth capabilities. Some of the standard safety features including a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

The Subaru Forester also has a base engine that is comparable to other SUVs in the same class. It comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that will produce over 182 horsepower.

At the same time, the Forester gets very good fuel efficiency of around 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city, which is among the best in the class.

8. Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a popular affordable SUV with both consumers and critics. The SUV has a base model that starts at just $23,500.

The SUV comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that will produce about 168 horsepower and gets fuel efficiency of around 29 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg when driving in the city.

The Escape is best known for its ample cargo and passenger space. Compared to other vehicles in the same class, it comfortably sits five passengers with the standard cloth upholstery.

There are also many different standard tech and safety features including the SYNC 3 infotainment system that can be used to get audio entertainment, navigation, and other services.

The base model of the Escape also comes with blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and electronic stability control to ensure you are able to drive safely on the open roads.

The bottom line

Regardless of what car dealers are offering, remember It never hurts to get a second opinion from a professional, make sure you get a My Car Price Check report done before you sign at any dealership, this way you can rest easy knowing you’ve secured the best deal possible for your hard-earned dollars.

#SUV #CHEAP CAR DEALS #TOYOTA #FORD #CHEVY #SUBARU #HONDA #CRV #mitsubishi

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carleasingconcierge · 5 years

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12 Best SUV Deals October 2019

Regardless of how you feel about the change of the seasons, there’s no doubt that it’s a good time to buy a new vehicle. Crossovers and SUVs are the hottest segments on the market.

Here are 12 of the best manufacturer-backed SUV purchase deals available through the end of October. With a range of brands, sizes, and trim levels on offer, you’ll likely find a deal that suits your needs.

For each deal, you’ll find important details about the offer itself. You’ll also find enough information about the model to decide if it’s a good fit for your shopping list.

We can’t cover every deal out there, but we can narrow down the field to the most favorable terms on popular models, which will help you concentrate on finding the best one for you.

As always, these deals change every month, and shoppers need to keep in mind that these deals often vary by region. That means that we look for offers that are available throughout most of the country, but it’s possible that the deal available in your local dealerships might vary slightly, or be even better than what you see here.

Furthermore, qualifying for the best financing offers will depend on your credit history and credit score. .

2019 Toyota RAV4

Purchase Deal: 1.9% financing for 60 months

With a fresh redesign for 2019, the Toyota RAV4 scores the No. 3 spot in our compact SUV rankings. It’s also a finalist for our 2019 Best Compact SUV for Families award, and winner of our 2019 Best New Cars for Teens award.

Need to know more?

The RAV4 gets an efficient 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a well-liked 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, and the Toyota Safety Sense package, which features a generous list of advanced safety features. In some regions, this offer may exclude hybrid models.

Buyers must take delivery by November 4 for this deal. This offer varies by region.

2019 Honda Pilot

Deal: 1.9% financing for up to 36 months

With plenty of features and accommodations for up to eight passengers, the Honda Pilot is well-deserving of its middle of the pack spot in our midsize SUV rankings.

Every Pilot comes powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine. Standard features include a 5-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and collision mitigation braking.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31 to take advantage of this deal.

2019 Nissan Rogue

Purchase Deal: 0% financing for 60 months

The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover with a spot in the middle of our rankings. Though the Rogue doesn’t stand out in terms of performance, it’s an affordable vehicle that will help you save money at the gas pump.

Standard features include a 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Rogue also includes a lot of safety features that often cost extra with competitors.

These include a rearview camera, lane departure warning, intelligent lane intervention, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and high-beam assist.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31. Bear in mind your credit score and location may affect your eligibility for this deal.

2019 Volkswagen Atlas

Purchase Deal: 1.9% financing for 60 months

The comfy, seven-passenger Volkswagen Atlas lands in the top third of our midsize SUV rankings and is a finalist for our 2019 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award.

A 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine comes standard and a 276-horsepower V6 is available. For 2019, the Atlas gets a bunch of new standard active safety features.

The list of amenities includes a 6.5-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, a post-collision braking system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31.

2020 Subaru Forester

Purchase Deal: 2.9% financing for a limited-term

The Subaru Forester hasn’t really changed since its 2019 redesign, which landed near the top of our compact SUV rankings.

The Forester features a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and standard all-wheel drive, plus standard amenities such as a 6.5-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a rearview camera.

The Subaru Eyesight active safety package also comes standard and includes features like a pre-collision braking system and adaptive cruise control.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31.

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe

Purchase Deal: 0% financing for 72 months

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a finalist for our 2019 Best Large SUV for Families award. It’s also a top-half contender in our large SUV rankings, thanks in part to a serene cabin and great reliability.

This deal is good specifically for the Premier trim, which features a 355-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 engine, an 8-inch touch screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system, wireless device charging, heated and ventilated front seats, a rearview camera, and a bunch of active safety features.

Take advantage of this offer by October 31.

2019 Honda CR-V

Purchase Deal: 1.9% financing for up to 36 months

The well-rounded Honda CR-V is tied for the top spot in our compact SUV rankings and is the winner of our 2019 Best Compact SUV for the Money award.

Its spacious and comfortable interior makes it a great choice overall. The CR-V comes with a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine standard.

An available 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is arguably worth the upgrade, offering better performance and fuel economy. Standard features include a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31. Keep in mind that your credit score will play a large part in determining whether or not you qualify for this offer.

2019 Mazda CX-9

Purchase Deal: 0.9% financing for up to 60 months

The Mazda CX-9 holds strong near the top of our midsize SUV rankings, with plenty of practical features and peppy road manners thanks to athletic and composed handling.

Every CX-9 gets a 227-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Standard features include push-button start, a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31.

2019 GMC Acadia

Purchase Deal: 0% financing for 72 months plus $500 cash

GMC earns most of its recognition for its trucks, but the Acadia is a smooth and comfortable midsize SUV that shouldn’t go overlooked by buyers in this segment.

A 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes standard. Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a rearview camera, and the Teen Driver safety system.

This offer excludes the SL trim level. Buyers must take delivery by October 31. Keep in mind that your credit score will play a large part in determining whether or not you qualify for this offer.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Purchase Deal: 0% financing for 36 months

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a powerful midsize SUV that is comfortable and fun to drive. It’s not as practical as many of its competitors, leading to a spot in the middle of our rankings, but it is a finalist for our 2019 Best 2-Row SUV for Families award.

The base Grand Cherokee gets a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 295 horsepower, which will be plenty for most buyers. There are several other engine choices, including a torque-heavy turbodiesel.

Standard features include a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

This offer excludes the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk trims. Buyers must take delivery by October 31.

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

Purchase Deal: 1.9% financing for 60 months

Though this list is quite heavy on the compact SUVs, the Volkswagen Tiguan deserves notice. It’s a smooth and comfortable five- or seven-passenger model with a spot in the top half of our rankings.

Every Tiguan gets a 184-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Standard features include a 6.5-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic headlights, and a rearview camera.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31. Please bear in mind that your credit score will affect your eligibility for this offer.

2019 Nissan Armada

Purchase Deal: 0% financing for 36 months

The Nissan Armada lands in the bottom half of our large SUV rankings, but it’s such a small group that a low ranking isn’t a condemnation in and of itself.

In fact, the Armada has a lot of benefits, including a 390-horsepower V8 engine, smooth and easy handling, and good predicted reliability. However, it falls short of more cutting-edge competition due to less advanced tech features and less efficient powertrain options.

Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and a rear door alert safety system.

Buyers must take delivery by October 31. Keep in mind that not every deal is available in every area. Because of that, be sure to check with your local dealer for local availability.

Don’t forget that your credit score plays a large part in determining whether or not you will qualify for this offer.

The bottom line

Car Leasing Concierge, The Car Buyer’s Advocate

https://www.carleasingconcierge.com/my-car-price-check-report

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carleasingconcierge · 5 years

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3 Best Car Buying Tips every car buyer should know!

Paul Maloney, The Car Buyer's Advocate!

is the special guest

Chris Salem's "Sustainable Success" Radio Show!

Click link below:

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/117220/never-get-taken-for-ride-again

We’ll be discussing how not to get taken for a ride by car dealers with a simple solution you can use the next time you go to buy or lease a car. It’s a win-win for everyone, with Chris Salem and his special guest, Paul Maloney THE Car Buyer’s Advocate! from Car Leasing Concierge

Link for show -

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/117220/never-get-taken-for-ride-again

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carleasingconcierge · 5 years

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6 Popular Used Car Websites: A Comprehensive Guide

It’s easier than ever to buy a used car online. Our guide walks you through six sites where you can buy a used car, noting their strengths and weaknesses.

By J.R. DUREN Reporter, Highya Updated on: April 5, 2019

Buying a used car can be stressful and overwhelming.

Websites that list used cars claim to make your purchase easier because they help narrow down your choices without having to drive to multiple dealerships. However, there are so many online used car sites that your search for the right site is a challenge in itself.

To help you figure out which used car site is best for you, we did some in-depth research and compared six used car buying websites. We analyzed them according to how thorough their listings are and what their website experience is like. The websites we chose to use were:

Carvana

Kelley Blue Book

Edmunds

Autotrader

Cars.com

Craigslist

To make our comparisons and reviews as fair as possible, we searched the same car on each website, a 2015 Honda Accord. We’ve done our best to find matching colors and trim packages across all six websites.

Carvana

Carvana is one of the leading buy-online used car websites. It functions as an online dealership without any of the dealership fees.

The hallmarks of their service are that nearly every listing they feature on their site includes 360-degree, high-definition photographs of the outside and inside of the car. Furthermore, listings include damage markers you can click on that will show close-ups of cosmetic nicks and dents.

Another important thing to note is that the cars come certified, which means they’ve passed an in-house inspection for safety, much in the same way you could buy a certified car from a dealership. Also, all cars on Carvana’s site are accident-free.

Buying a car through their site requires that you choose a car, obtain financing from your own financial institution or through Carvana, then choose whether you want the car delivered to your home or picked up at a Carvana location in your city (if there is one).

Each Carvana location has a “vending machine” from which you get your car to begin your seven-day test drive.

At the time of publishing, there were Carvana locations in 18 different cities, including Houston, Austin, San Antonino, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis.

You have seven days to test drive the car and return it without paying anything, as long as you keep your total mileage at 400 miles or less. If you choose to keep the car, Carvana finalizes everything and sends you your license plate.

The cars underground a thorough inspection and come with a 100-day/4,189-mile warranty.

Our search produced a black 2015 Honda Accord EX-L with 29,998 miles for $18,500:

Pros and Cons of Carvana

I bought a car from Carvana in November 2017, an experience we describe in our review of the used car site. Based on our experience, we believe the site is an excellent fit for someone who either doesn’t have the time to search for a car in-person, dreads having to go to a dealership and negotiate with a salesperson or just wants the convenience of being able to buy a car online in just a couple of hours.

The site isn’t a good fit for someone who wants to negotiate the price. Carvana’s pricing is set, which means you can’t bargain them down. For those who are skilled negotiators, then you’ll be better off heading to a dealership and haggling with a salesperson.

Also, unlike the other site listed here, Carvana only sells the cars they have; you can’t search for cars from other dealerships or private sellers. This limits inventory and may not make the site a good fit if you’re shopping on a limited budget, as most of their cars are at least 10,000.

Kelley Blue Book (KBB)

Kelley Blue Book is often known as the company who provides estimates of the value of your car. In fact, when you go to a dealership to buy a used car, they’ll often post the “Blue Book Value” on the price sheet attached to the car’s window.

KBB has now added used car listings to their service. For each listing they have on their site, they give you what’s known as “Fair Market Value” price for each car, a number based on the condition and type of car as well as the zip code you’re searching.

You’ll also get a list of any awards the car has won, a rating from KBB experts, a rating from KBB readers as well as the car’s National Highway and Traffic Safety Association’s rating.

When we did a search for a 2015 Accord, we found a black EX-L sedan with 28,385 miles for $18,791. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll have to pay a dealership fee on top of the standard taxes and fees, which pushes this car’s price past Carvana’s:

photos.

One thing we liked about the page was that you could click on a “Get Blue Book Value” link underneath the asking price, which would take you to a page that gave you the value of the car. Also, awards and ratings details are really helpful if you want a quick snapshot of how well-liked and safe the car is.

In this case, the car was valued at $18,842, which was slightly above what the car was listed at.

Pros and Cons of Kelley Blue Book

We found KBB.com’s search features to be pretty standard when compared to the other non-Carvana sites in this article.

If you want a good overall impression of the used car, KBB gives that to you. And we think it’s an added bonus that the site lets you compare the asking price of the car you’re interested in, to the actual value of the car based on Kelley’s estimation.

However, the drawback is that you have to go to the dealership to buy the car, which means you’ll either walk out the door with a car that’s more expensive than what Carvana offers, or you’ll have to negotiate your way to a lower price.

Also, the car’s listing did not come with a vehicle history report, which was a bit frustrating because the page indicated there were issues with the car’s title. However, to see the vehicle report and the aforementioned issues, we would’ve had to pay $24.99.

Also, we think the site’s photos are sub-standard, as you can’t magnify them or zoom in like you can with Carvana. This drawback isn’t too detrimental though, as you’ll have to go in and see the car for yourself before you buy it.

Edmunds

Like Kelley Blue book, Edmunds started out as a publication intended to give consumers an idea of how much a car was worth. As a result, it became a popular guide for both buyers and sellers.

Edmunds has the distinction of being the first “automotive information website,” the company says about the 1995 launch of their website.

When we used the site for our Accord search, we found a black 2015 Honda Accord EX-L with 26,981 miles for $19,392.

When we clicked on the “Get Special Offer” button, a window popped up telling us we had to give our name, email address and phone number to get the special price.

Just to see what would happen, we entered our information and sent it. We were then taken to a page that said we had access to two perks: a 30-day warranty and one year of roadside assistance.

With these perks in mind, we dug a little further by looking at cars on the dealership’s website and found the car listed on Edmunds. The car’s listing indicated that it came with a seven-year, 100,000-mile Honda Certified Warranty. This tells us that the 30-day warranty “perk” wasn’t really necessary.

On the plus side, the listing included an “Edmunds Advice” metric that tells you if you’re getting a good deal or not. This metric is the result of Edmunds researching thousands of sale prices to calculate the real value of the price listed.

In this particular case, Edmunds gave the listing a “Fair” rating, noting that the price was within the lowest 30 percent of cards in the region.

Pros and Cons of Edmunds

In general, we found that Edmunds offered the same photo quality as what you’d find with Kelley Blue Book. We weren’t able to zoom in on a car and see details, dents or scratches. So, if you see the car in person, make sure you do a quick walk around to make sure you spot any cosmetic damage.

We like that the site provides an Edmunds Advice rating because it lets you know how the car’s sale price relates to other similar sales. Rather than telling you how much the car is worth (KBB), it tells you how much it’s actually selling for in your area.

One last detail we thought was helpful is that Edmunds listings include users ratings of the dealership. These reviews include service and sales ratings, so you can get an idea of what it’s like to buy a car from them and, if needed, take a car to them for repairs.

Autotrader

Like the last two websites we talked about, Autotrader started out as a publication. Unlike Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds, however, Autotrader was a classifieds-style monthly magazine that sold cars, trucks and other vehicles.

Like its two competitors, Autotrader went online with their classifieds service and are now one of the leading places to find used cars online.

We did a search for the 2015 Honda Accord and found the same car listed on Kelley Blue Book for the same price: $18,691.

What we noticed about the Autotrader ad is that, while it had the same photos as KBB, it lacked helpful metrics, ratings and data about the car. Whereas KBB has the car’s safety rating, expert and customer ratings, awards won and the car’s KBB value, Autotrader’s page has only the estimated car payments for the vehicle as well as a KBB rating for the car’s price.

In this price, KBB gave the car a “Great Price” ribbon, which means, “the dealer’s listed price for this vehicle is at or below the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price.

Of note is the fact that this ad included a Carfax report. What’s odd about this, in our opinion, is that it’s the same car you see on KBB but this one comes with a Carfax. Furthermore, while the KBB site said the car had title problems, we viewed the Autotrader vehicle history report and found no such problems.

Perhaps the only issue was that the car was leased, but, considering leased cars have to undergo routine maintenance and care, we didn’t see this as a “problem.”

Pros and Cons of Autotrader

We believe that Autotrader is an above average choice in certain areas if you’re looking for a used car site.

We like that they’re a reliable, well-known company, but so are KBB and Edmunds. The listings include limited information compared to what you can get from KBB. If you’re someone who loves knowing what other people are saying about the car you like, KBB is a great choice.

However, the make-or-break for many car shoppers is whether or not an ad has a vehicle history report. This is the main reason we’d say that Autotrader has an advantage over KBB and Edmunds.

As we pointed out earlier, Autotrader and KBB had the same exact same car listing but Autotrader’s listing had a Carfax report and KBB’s didn’t.

Also, the Autotrader listing had bigger photos than KBB’s listing.

Cars.com

Of the four other car sites we’ve talked about up to this point, Cars.com is most similar to Autotrader.

The listing we’ll talk about in a few seconds included a vehicle history report, as well as a pricing indicator, tell you if you’re getting a good deal.

The car we found in our search was the same car we saw on Autotrader and KBB: a black 2015 Honda Accord EX-L sedan with 28,385 miles for $18, 691.

Summary: What You Need to Know About Shopping Online for a Used Car

The sites we listed in this article all have their unique advantages and quirks:

Carvana: Well-designed website with car-buying perks and excellent photos, but a little more like a dealership and less like a classifieds site.

Kelley Blue Book: Excellent collection of ratings and price evaluation but you can’t zoom the site’s photos.

Edmunds: Some nice data about how the car’s price compares to similar sales in the area, but the special offer didn’t provide any additional value.

Autotrader: We liked how the ads included the Carfax report and zoomable photos.

Cars.com: Similar to Autotrader and Edmunds, but we liked how there were suggestions for other cars at the dealership.

Craigslist: A bare-bones approach to buying a car, but definitely more private-seller options than what we found on the other sites.

We think one of the most important things to keep in mind is that these car sites (aside from Carvana) serve as a way for you to narrow down choices of cars you want to look at. These aren’t intended to be the end-all way of finding a car.

As far as the individual ad itself, Cars.com is most similar to Autotrader. The ad included a free Carfax report as well as an estimate of how much monthly payments would be.

What’s interesting is that Cars.com said the estimated monthly payment would be $357 a month, whereas Autotrader estimated $274. The difference between the two estimates is what they factor into that monthly payment.

Autotrader’s prices were based on a 5.45-percent APR on a six-year loan with $1,869 down. Cars.com based their quote on a 4.81-percent APR for a five-year loan with no down payment.

Pros and Cons of Cars.com

Based on our experience with Cars.com, we think it’s a suitable site to do your used car search. Their ads provide all the basic information, including estimated payments and, in the case of our example car, a vehicle history report.

One thing we didn’t mention earlier is that Cars.com listings include user reviews of the dealership, as well. What we like about this, coupled with the vehicle history report pertaining to the car we viewed, is that you get a good read on the history of the car and the dealership, two crucial aspects of buying a vehicle.

The downside of the ads is that you don’t get the helpful metrics KBB provides related to safety and expert/user reviews of the car itself.

Craigslist

Craigslist is the premier online classifieds website whose used car listings tend to be more varied than what you’ll see on sites like KBB.com and Cars.com.

The user experience for car searches isn’t any different from any of the other classified sections they have. Pages are stripped down to photos and a description.

In our search for a 2015 Honda Accord, we noticed that, while KBB and Autotrader let you look for private sellers, Craigslist was the only site of the three that actually had ads from private sellers.

The main reason the site tends to have more private sellers is that Craigslist auto ads are free, whereas Autotrader, for example, requires payment to post an ad.

Now, as for the ads themselves, you aren’t going to get any of the helpful metrics you get on the other sites. There is no estimated monthly payment, vehicle history report (although it’s possible for the seller to link to one in their ad), dealership rating, car-safety rating or anything else we’ve already mentioned in other sections.

As for the car we found, it was a 2015 Honda Accord EX-L with 54,893 miles for $16,999. Unlike the other sites we’ve listed, the car we found – black, like the others – was available at a used car lot and not a dealership.

As we mentioned before, Craigslist doesn’t put any emphasis on a visually appealing site. So, the ad we saw for the Honda was as basic as any other ad: a big photo slideshow accompanied by plain black text listing features of the car and contact information for the dealership.

Craigslist, however, offers the advantage of being able to zoom in on pictures, which differentiates the site from KBB and Edmunds.

Pros and Cons of Craigslist

Craigslist is the bare bones way to buy a car. Ads are simple and straightforward. We like how there are plenty of results, but that can be a little overwhelming if you’re looking for a specific year, model and make of a car.

However, if you want to find a used car for sale by a private owner, we think Craigslist is a great resource. Since the site’s listings are free, and there tend to be more used cars for sale by private owners than the other sites mentioned above.