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Buying a car online vs. at a dealership
More options to compare or more room to negotiate?
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Used to be your only option to buy a car was walking into a dealership. Now you can also complete the whole process online. Dealerships still have the benefit of allowing you more space to negotiate both the price and terms of financing. But you’ll be able to browse more options if you shop online — including cars from private sellers.
Buying a car online vs. dealership
| Online | Dealership | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | MSRP with the option for a discount | MSRP with the option to negotiate it down |
| Turnaround time | A few minutes to an hour | At least an hour |
| Financing options |
|
|
| How it works | Test drive your car elsewhere and browse different sellers online. Call or email to request a price and follow the instructions to buy your car. You can have it delivered or pick it up from the seller. | Compare cars at the dealership, test drive the car you’re interested in and negotiate with the salesperson. Drive it home that day or have it delivered. |
Test drive a car near you
Cost
Which option is cheaper really depends on your negotiating chops. At a dealership you can negotiate it down the traditional way. Online, you can get a discount by finding deal by coordinating with an online salesperson, who are often more likely to give you a quote right away and offer fixed discounts.
Turnaround time
Buying a car online is often faster. While you might be able to drive away the car from the dealership the same day, it typically takes at least an hour to get a deal. Negotiating at a dealership is more of a performance and there can be a lot of back and forth between the salesperson and their manager. That’s less the case with an online salespeople.
Financing options
The main difference between online and dealership financing is that you potentially buy a car from a private party if you find your car through a site like Craigslist, opening you up to private party financing from a lender. Buy-here pay-here dealers for bad credit borrowers are more common at dealerships. Both are generally more expensive than both car loan options.
How it works
The one drawback of getting a car online is that you don’t get to take the car for a test drive — you’ll have to do that before. When you visit the dealership, you can test drive the car there. However, you wont have to spend as much effort negotiating with a dealership.
Depending on who you buy from online, you can go and pick up the car at the sellers’ discretion or have it delivered to your home. Through a dealership, you could potentially drive it home that day.
The 10 best car-buying apps of 2021
Should I buy a car online or at a dealership?
The biggest difference between buying a car online versus going to the dealership is the shopping experience. You still need to test drive the car and negotiate your price.
When to buy online
Buying your next car at a dealership may be efficient and let you ask all your questions, but you could get a better deal if you’ve done your research before showing up. By shopping for a car online first, you’ll be able to:
- Compare prices. Look for cars of same make, model and year you’re looking for to compare prices online. This could give you more bargaining power at the dealership.
- Research thoroughly. Find out how much it usually costs to buy the car you want, considering insurance, registration and taxes. Then learn what to look for in a used car or how to pay less for a new car.
- Filter your search. Narrow down your search by selecting a specific color, price range, number of miles and brand.
- Find more options. When buying from a dealership, your choices are limited to whatever is available on that lot. You have more choices when you go online and will still be able to view the car in person before you buy.
When to visit a dealership
If you don’t like online research or would prefer to talk to someone about your options, making a trip to a car dealership or two can help you compare your options. By going to a dealer you could benefit by
- Knowing the prices. An Internet search may only return average prices for the vehicle you’re interested in if it’s not available online. By visiting a dealership, you can see the actual sticker price of the vehicle along with its features.
- Talking to an expert. Salespeople know their business should be able to help you find a vehicle in their inventory that suits your needs.
- Comparing two or more dealers. Although it might take more time, you’ll be better served to see the prices offered by a handful of dealers for equivalent vehicles.
- Test drive different options. Visiting a dealer means you can test drive your options and find a car that’s comfortable for you.
In addition to shopping at a dealership, you’ll be able to start building a relationship. If you plan on buying multiple cars, having a dealership you trust with people you can count on can help you get better deals in the years to come.
When both make sense
The differences between shopping for a car online versus in-person balance out. You may find the best option is using both methods: Take the time to compare cars and financing online, then visit a dealership with an exact plan to face a sales pitches with confidence.
How to get an email quote from a dealership
If you want the ease of shopping online but still want to work with a dealership, you can email the sales team at your local dealership for a quote. And if you’re already preapproved for a car loan, mention that as well. It can get the ball rolling on negotiations if you’re interested in financing through the dealership.
Your email doesn’t have to be extensive. Simply provide a little bit of information to get started:
- The car you want along with its year, make and model
- Any options or features you want included
- A request for information about current incentives, rebates or lease deals
- The date you plan on buying your car
One of the major benefits of email is the ease of communication. You can send one to each dealership you’re interested in — allowing you to quickly compare offers and find a deal with pursuing.
Online financing vs. dealership financing
Getting a loan through a dealership involves less work but you can typically get your funding in less time.
Compare a range of car loans you can apply for online
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Where can I buy a car online?
The benefits of shopping online can vary based on the website you’re using. Each one is different, and one might suit your needs more than another. Here are some sites you can visit to start your comparisons.
- TrueCar. TrueCar lists prices others have paid for similar cars so customers know you’re getting a fair price for your next vehicle.
- Cars.com. Cars.com works with thousands of dealers to give you an easy way to find the car you want when you’re ready.
- Carvana. Carvana not only allows users to inspect the car with a photo model, but also have access to a free history report before you buy.
- Craigslist. You can find cars from private party sellers by shopping around on online forums.
- Kelley Blue Book. Kelley Blue Book is also a great resource to get a quote on your current car when you want to trade it in and get price quotes from dealers and on used cars.
- MSN Auto. Formerly known as Carpoint, MSN Auto allows you to compare cars from multiple sources before you buy.
- Edmunds. In addition to side-by-side comparisons and quotes from dealers and on used cars, you can also get car buying tips and advice through this website.
There are plenty of other websites geared to help you buy a new or used cars. You can buy directly from a brand’s website or visit sites like eBay to find private sales. Take your time browsing online offers so you can find the best deal around.
Benefits and drawbacks of each option
| Benefits | Drawbacks | |
|---|---|---|
| Online |
|
|
| Dealership |
|
|
Buying a car at a dealership? Watch out for extra costs
- Vehicle preparation fee. Dealerships charge this fee to cover the cost of getting your car ready for delivery. You might not have to pay it, unless they’re going beyond a standard car wash.
- Documentation fee. Most dealers charge this fee to cover the cost of processing the paperwork that comes with your new car. Depending on your home state, you might pay a flat $100 fee or a price set by the dealership, which you can negotiate.
- Unnecessary accessories and extended warranties. Didn’t ask for that sound system or paint sealant? See an extra-long warranty in your contract? Unless you actually want it, tell your dealer that won’t pay for it.
Bottom line
There are benefits buying your car online or at a dealership. The easiest way to find a good deal is to compare both and keep your options open. Trying to find a median between the two should help negate some of the drawbacks.
Looking for a place to start? Read over our guide to car loans. to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to find the right financing.
Frequently asked questions
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