It’s never been as easy to buy and sell used cars as it is now. This is due to the fact that so many online resources and car buying apps exist in abundance.
However, the downside is, well, that there are so many online resources and car buying apps in existence.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to find where to buy a used car or list a car for sale. Too many choices can make the experience risky, or tricky at best. So we’ve compiled some of our favorite used car websites for buyers and sellers and broken it down into a 3-part series.
Part 2: CarGurus, CarMax, and Carvana
Buy and Sell Used Cars at CarGurus
Sellers create free listings for free but if you sell your vehicle via the listing, you’ll be charged a flat fee of $99 regardless of the purchase price. 20 million buyers visit this site every month because of one unique feature… Listings are assigned a “deal rating” which ranges from great to overpriced.
This is great for buyers and sellers alike if that seller is offering a good deal because of the huge amount of potential buyers this site attracts. However, if a seller wants to get top dollar for their vehicle and isn’t willing to adjust the price, this is probably not be the best place to post your car for sale.
In a nutshell: CarGurus offers free listings and has high buyer traffic. Sellers may not be able to get top dollar though, due to the deal rating feature on this website.
Buy and Sell Used Cars at CarMax
If you like to look through nationwide listings and then buy online at a local dealer or location, CarMax is for you. The search filters offers up incredible detail so it’s easier to find what you want.
If you’re selling your car and you want to sell it quickly, CarMax will give you a real offer. However you will have to take your car to one of their locations for an in-person appraisal. You will probably get less for it this way as is usually the case with all sites that buy used cars, but you won’t have to mess with all the paperwork (they handle that) and will leave with a check.
In a nutshell: CarMax is a great place for buyers with its powerful search features. For sellers who want a quick sale, CarMax fills the bill as long as you don’t mind going to one of their physical locations and getting less than if you sold it to an individual.
Buy and Sell Used Cars at Carvana
Known for their car vending machines, Carvana offers a convenient shopping experience, financing and home delivery services. The home delivery costs extra but there are cases where it is free. You can preview shipping charges during your search. Every Carvana car comes with a 7-day return policy.
Selling your car to Carvana is fast and easy. They will pick it up and hand you a check and they take your vehicle away.
In a nutshell: While Carvana is a choice of convenience for buyers, the prices tend to be a bit higher. Sellers like the convenience as well since Carvana will come pick up their car at home.
