If you are in the market for a new or used car, you are probably bracing yourself for many trips to the dealership and haggling in person. But there’s a better way. Did you know you can comparison shop for cars all from the comfort of your couch? You don’t even need a computer to use these apps. You can use your smartphone. These are the best car buying apps if you're in the market for a new vehicle.
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Edmunds
Come for the listings, stay for expert research. The Edmunds app uses a true market pricing tool to help you compare listings and find the best possible deal. It also features reviews based on expert research. This app will provide information on everything from average fuel costs to short-term deals in your area. In addition to searching cars, it also allows you to compare similar vehicles, save your searches, calculate monthly loan payments, and even text dealers.
02of 09
CarMax
If you're shopping for a used car and aren't in the mood to haggle, this might be the app for you. The CarMax app pulls listings only from CarMax dealerships, and the prices don’t budge. Stable pricing can be great if you aren't very confident in your negotiating skills and are looking to buy a car without feeling like you did something wrong. On the app, you’ll be able to find cars by searching make, model, mileage, price, miles per gallon, features, and more. You can also estimate your payment amount, view vehicle history reports, schedule free appraisals, and apply for financing.
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Kelley Blue Book
What this app lacks in pizazz it makes up for in brand power. As any aspiring car owner knows, before you place an offer on a car, you should always check the Kelley Blue Book value, and now you can do so without opening your laptop or booting up your desktop. Use the app to access real-time KBB pricing information on any vehicle, whether you are browsing at home or at a dealership. In addition to the standard comparison shopping that other apps offer, KBB also features a slew of informative videos as well as recommendations for local dealerships.
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CarGurus
Whether you're looking for a new or used car, CarGurus can help you narrow down your search. The app keeps track of pricing information across makes and models, and as you browse, its "deal rating" will let you know whether the car you're looking at is a good price or not. Expert reviews and the ability to apply for financing in-app simplify the car shopping experience, and once you've saved a search, the app will provide notifications about price changes. You can also use CarGurus to sell your current vehicle if you're planning to upgrade.
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Used Car Search Pro
Used Car Seach Pro, made by iSeeCars, is an app that will work best if you know exactly what kind of car you want or are obsessed with the details. The app's 59(!) search filters will let you search for exactly the features you have in mind. And the price analysis tool uses an in-app system to calculate market value and sort your search by best price.You will be able to see listings from private sellers as well as dealerships, so make sure you are cautious whenever heading to see a new vehicle.
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TrueCar
If you are a competitive on-the-go person that’s not easily overwhelmed, this app is for you. Through its sleek interface and well-designed features, not only can you see pricing for any vehicle based on what others in your area have recently paid, but you can also scan window stickers at select dealerships to make sure they are asking a fair price. Just make sure that you know what you are getting into: once you sign up for TrueCar, you will be connected with thousands of dealers, who will have your phone number and plenty of cars to try and sell you. Once you do find your perfect ride, you’ll also have access to TrueCar exclusive discounts through their partner retailers and factories. You can use this app to browse both new and used cars.
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Cars.com
If you trust the experts, trust this app. The main perk is the simplified vehicle overviews that outline what professional testers liked and disliked. As a bonus perk, the app can also help you calculate your trade-in value and loan payment amounts if you tinker with different variables like how much you pay upfront and your credit score. You can also call, text, or email dealers from in the app to schedule an appointment or test-drive so you don't miss the chance to see a car in person. The Cars.com app was one of the first car-buying apps available, but it can do more than just help you buy a car. You can continue to use it after you make a purchase to watch do-it-yourself repair tutorials or find local mechanics.
08of 09
Carvana
The Carvana app focuses on helping you buy used vehicles and trade in your existing car. It allows you to search using many of the same filters as other apps, but you're not browsing dealer listings. Instead, Carvana owns all its own inventory, and the price on the app is the price you pay. If you live in one of Carvana's service areas, the car that you buy can be delivered directly to your home. If you're outside the service area, you can pick up your car at one of Carvana's "car vending machine" locations. If you need financing, you can use a third party or finance directly through Carvana.
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Autotrader
Autotrader shares many of the same features as other apps. It lets you search and browse listings for both new and used cars, then filter your results based on qualities like make, model, year, and mileage. You can save multiple vehicles and compare them on the website, and you can also contact dealers directly by phone, text, or email to schedule test-drive. And on the Autotrader website, you can get an instant cash offer if you have a car you are looking to sell or trade as part of your buying process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I stay safe when using a car buying app?
Check pricing in multiple places to make sure that you are getting a good deal on your vehicle. If you're buying directly in the app, use one that is well-reviewed and has been around long enough that you know it's trustworthy. If you are connecting with a seller, be wary of someone who won't talk on the phone or let you see the vehicle in person.
Is there an app to lease a car?
Rodo is an app that lets you buy or lease a new car. You can also sell your current lease to Rodo. However, it is currently only available in specific markets.
FAQs
9 Best Car Buying Apps? ›
Autotrader. If you're hoping to avoid a dealership by buying a car from a private seller, the Autotrader app might be the best choice for you. It offers the largest selection of car listings from private sellers among the apps NerdWallet reviewed.
What is the best app to buy used cars from private sellers? ›Autotrader. If you're hoping to avoid a dealership by buying a car from a private seller, the Autotrader app might be the best choice for you. It offers the largest selection of car listings from private sellers among the apps NerdWallet reviewed.
What is the best app for buying a new car? ›- Edmunds: Best car app for comparing vehicles. ...
- Kelley Blue Book: Best car app for real-time pricing information. ...
- Carvana: Best car app for a fully virtual experience. ...
- CarMax: Best car app for the nervous negotiator. ...
- iSeeCars: Best car app for buying used.
Is Carvana legit? Carvana can be an excellent choice if you want to avoid visiting multiple dealerships or haggling over price. The company's online listings make the process straightforward and quick. Carvana provides delivery and pickup options, and it offers financing options for nearly anyone.
What other apps are like Carvana? ›- CarGurus. Year founded: 2006. Headquarter: Cambridge, MA. ...
- Vroom. Year founded: 2013. ...
- CarMax. Year founded: 1993. ...
- Auto1 Group. Year founded: 2012. ...
- ACV Auctions. Year founded: 2014. ...
- Cars24. Year founded: 2015. ...
- TRED. Year founded: 2012. ...
- Cazoo. Year founded: 2018.
If you are looking to sell your used car in India, all you need to do is post your used car ad on CarWale.com. CarWale is the most trusted car discovery portal in India and is visited by millions of verified car buyers every month. It can be done in just few simple steps and is 100% FREE.
How do I not get scammed on a private car sale? ›Scammers can easily post fake photos and safety reports. Don't send money until you've seen the vehicle in real life. Make sure you choose a safe, well-lit, public spot to meet the seller. Ask to see the seller's identification and make sure the same name is on the vehicle's title.
What websites should I use to buy a car? ›- Our Top Picks.
- CarGurus.
- Autotrader.
- CarsDirect.
- Hemmings.
- Autolist.
- AutoTempest.
- Cars & Bids.
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book has been one of the most trusted names in the auto industry. You might say we literally "wrote the book on car values". And today there's no better place to find the value of your current car than KBB.com.
Which car app pays the most? ›Lyft is one of the higher-paying driving apps. Lyft pays more than UberEats, which pays more than DoorDash. So if you don't mind driving people, Lyft is a good gig.
What is better CarMax or Carvana? ›
Which Is Better: Carvana or CarMax? Carvana is a better option if you look for convenience and ease of use in your purchases and trades. On the other hand, CarMax is ideal for people who want to test drive the car beforehand and who do not mind going to their nearest CarMax location to do it.
Why has Carvana failed? ›Much of this is related to external economic factors, which is pushing down demand for vehicles. Carvana failed to anticipate this which meant it had far too much inventory, especially earlier in the year. This dragged down profit,” said Saunders.
What is the controversy with Carvana? ›Carvana has lost its license to sell cars in Illinois twice, been suspended from operating in parts of North Carolina, and had its Florida business license threatened, all because of title problems.
What company is better than Carvana? ›TrueCar is a good alternative to Carvana for those who are looking to get a good deal on a vehicle. Its pricing tool and network of TrueCar-certified dealers can help buyers negotiate a fair price and have a hassle-free experience when purchasing a car.
What is the lowest Carvana rate? ›Carvana features auto loan financing for new and used vehicles purchased on their platform. It's available to borrowers with all credit types with interest rates as low as 6.85 percent.
Can I negotiate Carvana? ›Are Carvana's vehicle prices negotiable? We don't negotiate on pricing; our vehicles are priced as competitively as possible and we never add on any dealer charges.
What is a good mileage for a used car? ›Average Car Mileage per Year
Experts agree that the common rule of thumb on mileage for a used vehicle is roughly 12,000 miles added each year of ownership. That means if you are looking at a 5-year old vehicle, it should have about 60,000 miles on it.
There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.
Can I negotiate with CarMax? ›Can CarMax car prices be negotiated? CarMax advertises “no-haggle” pricing, and it does not offer price matching or negotiation on any car purchases, sales or trade-ins.
How can you tell a scammer selling a car? ›The promise of future payment: Dishonest car buyers may try to get you to float loan payments or wait until they get their next paycheck before paying you. Intentional overpayment: In this common scam, the dishonest buyer sends you a cashier's check or money order for more than the agreed-upon price.
What should you not do at a car dealership? ›
- Don't Enter the Dealership without a Plan. ...
- Don't Let the Salesperson Steer You to a Vehicle You Don't Want. ...
- Don't Discuss Your Trade-In Too Early. ...
- Don't Give the Dealership Your Car Keys or Your Driver's License. ...
- Don't Let the Dealership Run a Credit Check.
Bank payment: The most safe payment options is directly into your bank. A bank transfer means the funds are there and cannot (usually) be reversed. Only cleared funds can be transferred so you're on relatively safe ground.
What is the best time of the year to buy a car? ›If you're shopping for a used car, the early months of the year — January and February — are a good time to ship. You may see more vehicles on the market then as people sell their old vehicles after buying new ones over the holidays. That increased supply can lower prices, making it a good time to buy.
Which brand of vehicle is the most reliable? ›What is the most dependable car brand? Here are the brand rankings based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. vehicle dependability study. The industry average is 186. The highest-ranking premium brand was Lexus, and Kia was the highest-ranking mass market brand.
Can I negotiate down to MSRP? ›The short answer is yes. However, for many, even the thought of negotiating new car prices can seem intimidating. Treat this experience like any negotiation and go in with a plan. The more thought you put into it upfront, the more confidence you'll feel about speaking with your dealer about the price of your new car.
Is it better to negotiate car price online or in person? ›The choice to negotiate a car price online or offline usually comes down to personal preference. While some people feel more comfortable haggling face to face, others may prefer to have the time to carefully devise a negotiation strategy by going online.
Does CarMax or vroom pay more? ›Overall, what this information demonstrates is that if you are planning to sell a used vehicle that is on the newer side with lower mileage, you will have a better chance of getting a higher offer at Vroom rather than CarMax.
Does Carvana pay most? ›Carvana pays slightly less for most cars than CarMax, based on our research. CarMax typically pays the most for used vehicles out of all online dealerships, while Carvana tends to offer average prices.
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- You Don't Know the Seller.
- You're Not Guaranteed a Fair Price.
- Private Sellers Don't Provide a Warranty.
- Private Sellers May Be Dealers in Disguise.
How do you see what people are paying for cars? ›
Edmunds True Market Value (TMV) is a pricing system that helps you determine the average transaction price — or what others are paying — for new or used vehicles in your area so that you can begin your negotiations with a fair price in mind.
Can a used car salesman lie? ›The dealer was clearly not being truthful with you. This is illegal. It is unlawful and is known as fraud or misrepresentation. You are protected under consumer law and can choose to file a lawsuit with the help of an auto fraud attorney.
How many miles is the average lifespan of a car? ›Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles. The average automobile age in the United States has increased over the past several decades. Currently, it's around 12 years for a passenger car, according to data from IHS Markit and the federal government.
What procedures should you use to select a used vehicle? ›- How much car can you afford?
- Build a target list of used vehicles.
- Check prices.
- Locate used cars for sale in your area.
- Check the vehicle history report.
- Contact the seller.
- Test-drive the car.
- Have the car inspected.