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Canada Drives vs Clutch vs CarDoor
If you're thinking of buying a car online, here's a look at how these online car dealers stack up.
Canada’s ushered in a string of online car dealers so you can shop for cars, apply for financing and get your vehicle delivered to your front door. Here’s a look at how 3 main car-buying platforms compare in various categories.
Online car dealers: Canada Drives vs Clutch vs CarDoor
| Category | Canada Drives
| Clutch
| CarDoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory |
|
|
|
| Financing options |
| Used car loans | Used car loans |
| APR ranges |
| From 3.9% | Starting at 4% |
| Interest rate type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed |
| Loan terms | Up to 84 months | 12-96 months | 24-84 months |
| Minimum loan amount | Not disclosed online. | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Maximum loan amount | $75,000 | No maximum | $110,000 |
| Loan flexibility |
|
| Not disclosed on its website. |
| Fees | Not disclosed on its website. | In Halifax, there is an $899 car-prep fee. | $130 for registering your licence plate
|
| Trial period | 7-day return policy or 500 kilometres. | 10-day “Test Own” guarantee or 750 kilometres. | 14-day test-drive guarantee (you must not log more than 750 kilometres) |
| Exchange policy | Exchanges can be made within the 7-day return policy. | Exchanges can be made within the 10-day “Test Own” policy. | 60-day window (as long as you haven’t driven the car for more than 5,000 kilometres) |
| Warranty | Complimentary 30-day (1,500 kilometre) limited warranty | Complimentary 90-day warranty | Complimentary 90-day/10,000-kilometre warranty. |
| Legal provinces | British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario for financing and British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta for car buying | Ontario, BC, Nova Scotia, Alberta for financing and Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island for car buying | Ontario only (GTA specifically) |
| Eligibility requirements |
|
|
|
| Accepts trade-ins | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No down payment required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-province purchases | No | Only between Alberta and BC and between Ontario and Nova Scotia. | No |
| Negotiable prices | No | No | Not disclosed on its website. |
| Contactless delivery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turnaround time | Less than 24 hours
| Less than 24 hours | Less than 24 hours |
Canada Drives vs Clutch vs CarDoor: Who is the best?
When you’re shopping for a car and the financing to make your purchase, there are crucial factors you’ll want to zero in on. Here’s how these online dealers stack up:
Best for inventory: Clutch
- Hundreds of vehicles. All 3 online dealers offer hundreds of vehicle options to choose from, with a wide breadth of makes and models. But Clutch has the widest reach in Canada, with inventory in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island, vs. Canada Drives, who has inventory in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta, and CarDoor, who has inventory in Ontario only. With the exception of BC, Clutch has more inventory in the provinces that Canada Drives also services (as of January 2022).
- Detailed inspection process and vehicle history records. Count on Clutch to provide you with everything you need to know about the pre-owned car you’re eyeing. Its pre-owned cars go through a 210-point safety inspection and come with a free CARFAX vehicle history report.
Best for trial period (and exchanges): CarDoor
- Up to 14 days to test drive your vehicle. CarDoor offers the lengthiest trial period at 14 days (up to 750 kilometres) compared to Clutch (10 days/750 kilometres) and Canada Drives (7 days/500 kilometres). All 3 dealers say you can receive a full refund within the allotted time frame, no questions asked, as long as the vehicle is in the same condition.
- Up to 60 days to make an exchange. CarDoor is generous with its exchange policy too, providing a 60-day window (you must not exceed 5,000 kilometres) to make an exchange. Canada Drives allows exchanges within the 7-day return window. Clutch allows exchanges within the 10-day “Test Own” period.
Best for warranty options: CarDoor and Clutch
- Complimentary 60-day warranty. Both dealers offer free 90-day warranties that cover defects in materials or workmanship for many parts of the car, but excludes wear items like brakes and tires. CarDoor notes its warranty covers up to 10,000 kilometres. Canada Drives provides a 30-day/1,500 kilometre warranty.
- Option to purchase warranties through the dealer. All 3 dealers provide buyers with the option to buy in-house warranties.
Best for coverage across Canada: Clutch
- Wider reach across Canada. Hands down, Clutch has the most coverage across Canada, servicing Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. Presently, CarDoor is only in Ontario and Canada Drives‘ fully online experience is available in Alberta, BC and Ontario.
- Cross-province purchases. Clutch is also the only dealer that allows cross-province shipping, but only between BC and Alberta and between Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Best for financing options: Canada Drives
- Range of financing options available. With Canada Drives, choose between new car loans, used car loans, bad credit car loans (including no credit, poor credit and bankruptcy).
- Low starting APR rates. APR rates for Canada Drives start at 0% for new vehicles and 2.99% for pre-owned vehicles. Clutch says its APR rates start at 3.9% to while CarDoor‘s interest rates start at 4%.
- Flexible terms. All 3 dealers offer trade-ins and no down payment. Clutch has the most flexible loan terms, offering 12-96 months. Canada Drives offers loan terms up to 84 months, while CarDoor offers 24-84 months.
Compare car loans
How does online car shopping work?
Online car dealers are making it easier to do your vehicle shopping and financing from wherever you have an Internet connection. Here’s how:
- Choose from a variety of new and pre-owned vehicles via online platforms. Look through inventory listings, each with a virtual 360-degree walk around, key features and a CARFAX vehicle history report.
- Apply for vehicle financing if you need an auto loan. Online dealers provide a one-stop shop, so you can apply for a car loan to make your purchase.
- Make your purchase and have it delivered straight to your home. Select a delivery date and your online lender will bring the car to your front door for a “test own” period.
How do I qualify?
Eligibility criteria vary between each online dealer, but as a baseline, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian resident, of the age of majority in your province.
- Have a valid driver’s licence.
- Have a steady income to make loan repayments.
- Have an active bank account.
What documents do I need to apply?
When your vehicle is delivered to your home, you’ll need to provide the following:
- A void cheque or direct deposit form for the bank account you want your payments to come from.
- A copy of your new insurance, in effect upon receiving your vehicle.
- A valid driver’s licence.
Frequently asked questions
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