What are good online websites to purchase vehicles from?

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AutoTempest.com: All the cars. One search.

Find your next car on AutoTempest! All the used car sites in one search, including craigslist*, Cars.com, AutoTrader*, Kijiji*, eBay and more. (* No affiliation)

www.autotempest.com

Www.Truecar.com

Www.Cars.com

Www.Carsforsale.com

Facebook marketplace

Www.Autotrader.com

Www.ebay.com

https://www.cargurus.com/

craigslist.org/

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[knightmelodic]

The return policy. Whichever one lets you return the car without penalty because you're buying a vehicle sight unseen and you don't want to get stuck with a lemon.

 

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The return policy. Whichever one lets you return the car without penalty because you're buying a vehicle sight unseen and you don't want to get stuck with a lemon.

I don't know if any website has a return policy like that. I have to drive it before I buy it.

 

[DragonXJC]

The return policy. Whichever one lets you return the car without penalty because you're buying a vehicle sight unseen and you don't want to get stuck with a lemon.

CarMax

CarMax offers a 10-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to return a vehicle to the store where you purchased it within 10 days, as long as it's in the same condition as when you bought it.

 

[God's Gift]

You most definitely should only BUY a used car in person.

Run your hands on the car like you're washing it. See it up close and possibly feel the Bondo they used since the car was put up for sale the weekend after it was involved in Nascar style accidents.

 

[850credit]

Got my Charger from TrueCar.

Saved about 3000 by buying one in Texas and driving it home to Georgia.

Same year make and model was 3k more in GA.

Texas doesn't have tax on cars if you're an out of state buyer!

 

[CPT Callamity]

You most definitely should only BUY a used car in person.

Run your hands on the car like you're washing it. See it up close and possibly feel the Bondo they used since the car was put up for sale the weekend after it was involved in Nascar style accidents.

I agree. I just spoke to a Young fella that bought a car off and online auction. First it was a Dodge so I side eyed him quick. Second, he wanted a car to work on and fix but when he told me it wasn't running I doubled that side eye. So he started working on it and tried changing the spark plugs. The horror just kept getting worse and I tried explaining to him that even though he paid a few hundred dollars for it, he was looking at a few Gs worth of repairs or a new engine replacement based on his photos and what he was describing. I've always been told to go to an auction in person, take a mechanic, get there early and kick the tires on the cars you're interested in before bidding.

 

[knightmelodic]

I don't know if any website has a return policy like that. I have to drive it before I buy it.

Then I'd say your best bet is not a website.

I know some people have had good experiences with websites but I also know folks who have horror stories. Seems like the majority are neither good or bad so perhaps an in-person buy is best.
I know I would never buy a used car I couldn't examine before the sale. I've been working on cars for decades and even I can't spot everything so some type of warranty is a must.

 

[CurtDawg]

Look at the pictures on CarGurus.com
Then call up the dealership directly with any questions you might have, negotiations, etc, etc
Travel to the dealership to make the final purchase & look at it yourself

Best strategy:
Don't deal with those "Mom & Pop" no name type used car places
Try to buy from an actual dealership
Also, try to buy the car, coming off lease, so it still has a little bit of the original warranty left
Worse case scenario, if you find an issue later on, at least it still has a little bit of warranty left

Important:
After buying the used car.....
Immediately take it to another dealership to get a "pre-purchase inspection ".
So for example, If you buy a Honda. Take it to a different/local Honda dealership, to have them look at it, & double check any issues.