Shopping for a car can often feel like navigating a maze of dealerships, endless test drives, and confusing pricing. The traditional car buying journey is time-consuming and can be overwhelming. This is why online car marketplaces like CarGurus have surged in popularity, offering a streamlined approach to finding your next vehicle. CarGurus stands out as a leading platform, providing a vast inventory and comparison tools to empower buyers.
If you’re considering using CarGurus to purchase your next car, understanding how the platform works is crucial. This guide will delve into the mechanics of buying a car through CarGurus, highlighting its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks. We’ll explore each step of the process to help you confidently navigate CarGurus and find the perfect car for your needs.
Understanding CarGurus: Your Online Car Shopping Companion
CarGurus is more than just a marketplace; it’s a comprehensive automotive research and shopping platform. It serves as a central hub where car dealerships list their inventories, and buyers can browse, compare, and connect with sellers. Beyond listings, CarGurus equips users with valuable resources like vehicle reviews, market trend analysis, and pricing tools, all designed to facilitate informed car buying decisions. This makes it a go-to platform for both new and used car shoppers seeking transparency and efficiency in their search.
Step-by-Step: How CarGurus Simplifies Car Buying
CarGurus aims to simplify the often complex process of car buying. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to effectively use CarGurus to find and purchase your vehicle:
1. Start Your Search on CarGurus
Begin by visiting CarGurus.com. On the homepage, you’ll find prominent options to “Buy” a car. You can specify your search right away by choosing between “New Cars,” “Used Cars,” or “Certified Pre-Owned Cars” based on your preference. Clicking “Buy” will take you to the vehicle listings page where you can start refining your search.
2. Refine Your Vehicle Search with Filters
CarGurus’ powerful filtering system allows you to narrow down your options quickly. You can filter by essential criteria like:
- Make and Model: Specify the brand and model of car you are interested in.
- Price Range: Set your budget to only see vehicles within your financial comfort zone.
- Location (Zip Code and Radius): Find cars available in your local area or expand your search nationwide if you are open to broader options or vehicle shipping.
- Body Style: Choose from sedans, SUVs, trucks, minivans, coupes, hatchbacks, and convertibles.
- Features and Options: Filter by specific features you desire, such as sunroof, leather seats, navigation system, and more.
- Transmission, Fuel Type, and more: Further refine your search based on transmission type, fuel efficiency, and other preferences.
For the broadest selection, you can input your zip code and select “Nationwide” under radius. However, for most buyers, a local or regional search is more practical.
3. Explore Vehicle Listings and Deal Ratings
Once you’ve set your filters, CarGurus will display a list of vehicles matching your criteria. Each listing provides key information and a distinctive “Deal Rating.” This rating, ranging from “Great Deal” to “Overpriced,” is based on CarGurus’ analysis of market prices for comparable vehicles. This feature is invaluable for quickly assessing the competitiveness of each listing.
Click on individual listings to access comprehensive details, including:
- Photos and Videos: View multiple images and sometimes video walkarounds of the vehicle.
- Vehicle History: Access information on previous owners, accident history, and mileage.
- Features and Specifications: See a detailed list of the car’s features, specifications, and options.
- Seller Information: View details about the dealership or seller, including location and contact information.
- Price History and Market Value: Understand how the current price compares to the vehicle’s price history and CarGurus’ estimated market value.
- Personalized Financing Rates (if pre-qualified): If you’ve pre-qualified for financing through CarGurus, you’ll see personalized interest rates for each vehicle, allowing you to estimate monthly payments.
4. Contact the Seller and Inquire
After identifying vehicles of interest, the next step is to connect with the seller. CarGurus provides direct communication options:
- “Contact Seller” Button: Use the platform’s messaging system to send inquiries to the seller directly through CarGurus.
- Phone Number (if provided): Call the dealership or seller directly using the phone number listed on the vehicle details page.
When contacting sellers, you can:
- Ask for more information: Request additional details about the vehicle’s condition, history, or features.
- Schedule a Test Drive: Arrange a time to visit the dealership and test drive the car in person.
- Negotiate Price: Discuss pricing and potential negotiation opportunities.
- Inquire about Financing and Trade-ins: If needed, ask about financing options offered by the dealership and if they accept trade-ins.
5. Finalize Purchase, Payment, and Vehicle Transport
The final steps of the car buying process, including payment arrangements and vehicle transportation, are typically handled directly between you and the seller or dealership. CarGurus primarily facilitates the initial connection and vehicle discovery.
- Payment: Discuss payment methods accepted by the seller. This can include financing, cash, cashier’s checks, or certified checks.
- Vehicle Transportation: If you are purchasing from a distant seller, arrange vehicle transport. Auto transport services offer a convenient way to have your newly purchased vehicle shipped directly to your location.
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Weighing the Pros and Cons of CarGurus for Car Buying
Like any platform, CarGurus has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can help you make an informed decision about using CarGurus for your car purchase.
Pros:
- Transparent and Unbiased Listings: CarGurus aims for transparency, providing deal ratings and market value assessments to help buyers gauge the fairness of prices. Listings are generally unbiased, showing a wide range of vehicles from various dealerships.
- Price Comparison in One Place: Easily compare prices from multiple dealerships in your area or across the country, all on a single platform. This saves considerable time and effort compared to visiting individual dealership websites.
- Market Trend Research: CarGurus provides tools to research market trends for specific vehicles, helping you understand depreciation, demand, and optimal buying times.
- Financing Pre-qualification: The platform offers financing pre-qualification, allowing you to see potential interest rates and get a better understanding of your budget before contacting sellers.
Cons:
- Seller Response Variability: While CarGurus facilitates connections, there’s no guarantee of a response from every seller. Response times and seller engagement can vary.
- Primarily Dealership Listings: The majority of listings on CarGurus are from dealerships, not private individuals. If you prefer private party sales, you may need to explore other platforms.
- Listing Detail Limitations: While sellers create their listings, some crucial details about the vehicle’s history or condition might be omitted. Thoroughly verifying information with the seller is always recommended.
Key Considerations for Online Car Buying with CarGurus
While CarGurus simplifies the process, it’s important to keep general online car buying considerations in mind:
Environmental Consciousness
Opting for a used car purchase, especially through online platforms like CarGurus, contributes to environmental sustainability. Buying used reduces manufacturing demands and landfill waste, lessening your carbon footprint and supporting a more eco-friendly approach to vehicle ownership.
Market Dynamics
Stay informed about current market trends when shopping online. CarGurus provides data on vehicle availability and pricing, but understanding overall market fluctuations can further empower your negotiation and purchasing decisions.
Regulatory and Legal Aspects
Be aware of regulatory changes, particularly regarding taxes and interstate purchase laws. CarGurus helps you locate cars in your area, but familiarize yourself with local regulations and laws related to online car sales to ensure a smooth and legally compliant transaction.
CarGurus is a powerful tool in the online car buying landscape, but it’s one of many options. Explore other platforms and resources to find the best approach for your specific needs. Resources such as lists of the best used car websites and guides on avoiding online car buying mistakes can further enhance your car buying journey.
Real User Reviews of CarGurus
Anthony – ☆☆☆☆☆
“I found the car I am driving on CarGurus. The site offered me the information required to make an informed decision. I was able to get the car I wanted with low mileage and at the price I wanted to pay. With CarGurus I was able to compare the various offerings at nearby locations in the convenience of my home. After a quick trip to the car lot, I drove home with my new purchase. I would definitely recommend CarGurus!”
Gregg – ☆
“Found a car on CarGurus and let them know I was interested, shortly after I got emails from cargurus and the dealer with the car. So after seeing the car cargurus wanted review feedback about the dealer, so I wrote a review and got an email from cargurus that changes needed to be made before they could post my review, the change was I had to leave the name of “cargurus” out of the review, fine did that, changed the review three times and still can’t get it posted. Is this a way to protect the dealers on their site? The dealer I went to was a strong negative zero stars and stated on cargurus site financing was available, had a chart showing credit scores and how much you could be paying a month, the dealer offered no financing.”
Lea – ☆☆☆☆☆
“I like this site. It’s very informative and I like that they give you the pricing comparison vs. retail and then lists them from best to worst. I also enjoy the information on the vehicle which helps in your car buying decision. The site seems to run faster on my phone than the other sites. The dealer contact info. is nice and not intrusive. It just makes the whole process easier which can be stressful and timely.”
Frequently Asked Questions About CarGurus
Is CarGurus a legitimate platform for buying cars?
Yes, CarGurus is a reputable and widely used platform for researching and purchasing vehicles. It operates globally and is considered a reliable resource in the online car marketplace.
Are there any fees for buyers on CarGurus?
No, CarGurus does not charge buyers any fees for using the platform to find and purchase a vehicle. CarGurus primarily generates revenue from dealerships who pay to list their inventory.
Who is the owner of CarGurus?
CarGurus was founded by Langley Steinert, who currently serves as the executive chairman of the company.
Where is CarGurus based?
CarGurus is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
If you decide to purchase a vehicle through CarGurus and need to transport it, consider using a professional car shipping company. Companies like Montway Auto Transport provide convenient and dependable vehicle shipping services across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. You can get a free instant quote online or contact a Montway agent at 888-666-8929 for assistance.
