Carvana Competitors: 8 Services Car Shoppers Should Consider
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Buying a car is a significant investment for many people. Therefore, purchasing a new or used car deserves a lot of thought. This is why many people today prefer to shop for their next vehicle on online car-buying websites, where there’s no pressure or stress from dealerships and pushy salespeople.
When it comes to online car shopping platforms, Carvana is undoubtedly one of the most popular websites for buying and selling used cars. Carvana was one of the first companies to introduce the now famous multi-story “car vending machines” and rose to popularity for its customer-focused approach and flexible financing programs.
However, Carvana is not the only website when shopping for used cars. There are many alternatives to Carvana, and they’re certainly worth the look. Below are some of the best Carvana competitors to consider.
1. CoPilot
CoPilot is one of the best Carvana competitors for buying used cars, thanks to its consumer-centric practices. For instance, CoPilot is independent and not paid by car dealers, so you can trust you’re going to the best vehicle for your needs without corporate intervention. Plus, CoPilot crawls through every dealer and all their cars, not just the dealerships and car lots who pay to get their inventory featured.
Besides being 100% on the consumer’s side, CoPilot gives you all the tools to make an informed decision. It offers in-depth price/trend analysis and compares against the market and “normal” prices. In addition, CoPilot actually provides honest advice on whether you should buy a used vehicle now or wait. Moreover, CoPilot offers free Carfax information and interprets the data for you.
With CoPilot, it’s all about making the most out of your used car purchases with unbiased, corporate-free information.
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2. Vroom
Vroom is another online marketplace for buying, selling, and trading used cars. It offers a similar car-buying experience to Carvana, and prices are also relatively comparable. Vroom streamlines the car-shopping process by letting you search by make, model, year, and location. Like Carvana, Vroom guarantees accident- and damage-free cars with clean titles.
While car selection is comparable to Carvana, Vroom has significantly fewer inventory numbers. However, unlike Carvana, Vroom doesn’t have physical locations unless you can drive to its headquarters in Houston, Texas. So you’ll have to get your vehicle delivered to your doorstep, with sometimes hefty delivery fees.
3. CarGurus
CarGurus aims to provide a better car-shopping experience with the help of technology. Unlike Carvana, CarGurus offers a way to shop for new and used cars across multiple dealerships and car lots in your area. As a result, shoppers get personalized rates by pre-qualifying for a loan and getting a price quote from CarGurus. Then, you can head to the dealership or car lot with the quote to start the process.
CarGurus doesn’t have a physical location or inventory, unlike Carvana. All the cars featured on CarGurus’ listings are not owned by them. Think of CarGurus as the capable middleman that gets you the best car prices. At the end of the day, the transaction will take place between you and the dealership.
4. CarMax
CarMax is one of the most popular Carvana competitors. CarMax specializes in buying and selling used cars with an inventory of over 40,000. Like Carvana, Carmax has more than 230 physical locations across the United States where shoppers can purchase or pick up their vehicles. Of course, you can also arrange to deliver your vehicle to your preferred location.
Overall, CarMax is a good fit for car shoppers who want to streamline the buying process. CarMax also offers a great selection of cars with its large inventory and provides a wide range of financing options.
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5. Cars.com
Cars.com has been in business since 1998, and like many Carvana competitors on this list, the company connects car buyers with sellers. Similar to CarGurus, Cars.com doesn’t have physical locations or physical inventories, for that matter. Instead, the website lets you shop for pre-owned cars from various car lots and dealerships in your area.
Cars.com makes finding nearby vehicles that best fit your needs and budget a breeze. Once you’ve found the right car, you can contact the seller through the app; then, you can purchase the vehicle directly from the seller. Overall, Cars.com is more of a resource website for used car buyers and sellers.
6. TrueCar
TrueCar is another digital automotive marketplace that’s a worthy alternative to Carvana. It’s also one of the highest-rated online car-buying websites, so it’s a solid option whether you want to buy or research your options. TrueCar doesn’t have physical locations and physical inventories, and it doesn’t own the car in its listings.
Overall, TrueCar is an excellent research tool for shopping for or selling a used car. Plus, it also includes listings from Carvana and Vroom so that you can see a wide range of vehicles available.
7. AutoTrader
AutoTrader is yet another recognizable name for online car shoppers that has been operating since 1997. This website provides a comprehensive digital solution for buying and selling used cars and a convenient way to compare used vehicles in your area. Autotrader doesn’t hold a physical inventory of cars and has no physical location. Instead, it offers an entirely digital solution to shop for vehicles and will connect you to the seller once you find the right car.
Like many websites on this list, AutoTrader is an excellent research tool for finding out about car prices, estimating monthly payments, and other tools like loan payment calculator and trade-in tips.
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8. CarsDirect
CarsDirect is a household name in the online car buying and selling business. Aside from providing shoppers with the latest car pricing data, CarsDirect’s primary function is to connect you with sellers that offer the best prices in your geographic area. You need to enter your vehicle’s make, model, and year and your personal information, and CarsDirect will connect you to nearby sellers. Someone will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your preferred vehicle and financing.
Lastly, CarsDirect offers unique financing options for shoppers with less-than-perfect credit scores.
Tips for Choosing Online Used Car Retailers
Choosing an online car shopping platform requires careful consideration to ensure a safe, reliable, and satisfactory purchase. Here are some tips to help you select the right online car shopper:
- Reputation and Reviews: Research the platform’s reputation through customer reviews and testimonials. Sites like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Better Business Bureau can provide insights into the site’s reliability and customer service quality.
- Vehicle History Reports: Ensure the platform offers comprehensive vehicle history reports. These reports can reveal past accidents, service history, and previous ownership, which are crucial in assessing the car’s condition.
- Pricing Tools: Look for sites that offer pricing tools to compare the listed price with the market average. This can help you ensure that you’re getting a fair deal. CoPilot, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are helpful resources for checking average prices.
- Clear Photos and Descriptions: A reputable online car seller should provide high-quality images and detailed vehicle descriptions. Ensure there are photos from multiple angles and information about any defects or issues.
- Secure Payment Options: The platform should offer secure payment methods that protect your financial information. Additionally, check if they provide escrow services to safeguard your funds until the vehicle is delivered and inspected.
- Customer Support and Services: Good customer service is essential. Check whether the platform provides easy access to support via phone, email, or live chat. Also, consider their policies on returns and warranties, which can significantly influence your decision.
Taking the time to carefully review these factors will help you pick an online car shopping platform that meets your needs and provides a secure and satisfying buying experience.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
