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| HOME | US | USED CAR ONLINE BUYING SITES |

US Used Car Online Buying Sites

Americans buy over 20 million used cars annually (and that's just the number bought from new car franchised dealerships - it doesn't include used car dealerships and private sales). Well-maintained, low mileage, import used cars are popular as are low mileage, cared for domestic models. Buying a used car online is obviously very different from both buying a new car online and the traditional method of buying used cars. And we would be the FIRST to suggest that buying a used car online without test driving it is folly of the first order.

However, we think that using the Internet to locate used cars that match your needs is the way to go. Keep in mind too that many of the used car buying sites listed below may offer certified used cars (that have been inspected, carry a warranty and sometimes even have a 72-hour return policy). Of course with private sales you are much more on your own. If you don't find the used car you are looking for here check out the Used Car Classifieds section of our site as well.

Once you've found a used car that you think is right for you check out our Used Vehicle History section to make sure the car's history is clean. For a comprehensive overview of the used vehicle evaluation process see - Optimizing the Used Car Test Drive, an extremely helpful guide to used car inspection and a Samarins detailed used car test drive checklist.

AutoTrader.com - Buy Used Cars, New Cars, and Certified Cars
http://autotrader.autos.msn.com/fyc/index.jsp?

This site - a joint venture between MSN Autos and AutoTrader - has a lot of great features and a vast number of used cars in the database. Using their advanced search you can specify a lot of criteria in one fell swoop. They also allow you to search back to vehicles from 1981. Results are very well presented and can be re-sorted in a variety of ways. You can also save vehicles for future consideration.

Pros:
The search process is quick and easy using distance (10 miles to any distance) from your zip code. It is very cool that you can specify up to 3 make/model combinations! You can specify body style, make/model, age range, price range, mileage range and which sellers you want to see ads from on this page (if you want some more criteria click on the + symbol in a box just above the green search button at the bottom of the page).

Search results are very well presented and can be re-sorted by year, vehicle, price, mileage, distance from your zip code and make/model. Within the results page you can select up to 3 vehicles to compare to each other and by registering for free with AutoTrader you can save up to 25 (!) vehicles to a virtual garage, save searches and even create alerts so that when a vehicle that matches your criteria is added to the database you'll be notified.

The details page is excellent with links to Carfax reports, NADA guides and insurance and finance sites. You can email details to a friend, create an AutoBiography (yes, that's a bit corny!) or print vehicle highlights. At the bottom of the page are other similar cars you may be interested in and information on the dealership where the car is located. You can get more information on a vehicle by email or telephone. It now seems as if all listings - private and dealer - have VINs and AutoTrader has gotten round the public exposure of VINs issue by requiring human input via a security code entry to see the VIN. Very neat.

Cons:
My only (very minor) complaints are that the email request form on the vehicle detail page is not secure and that there is no indication given how long you will wait for a response from the dealership (if you are looking at a dealership ad - obviously I don't expect AutoTrader to be able to guarantee a turnaround time from private sellers). Since you can register with the site it would be nice if an anonymized contact system would be implemented for signed in users, like some other sites offer, so that personal details are not flying around the Internet.

The other complaint I had earlier about VINs not being present on privately listed vehicles has been remedied in a very innovative way - well done AutoTrader!

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Use the radio button to indicate you are looking for Used Cars and put in your zip code and search radius. Then select body style, up to 3 make/model combinations, age range, price range and ad type (dealers, private sellers or both). If you'd like more criteria click on the "Search by mileage, color, engine & keyword" link just above the green Search button at the bottom of the page. When you've finished specifying all your criteria click on the Search button.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have a results list of vehicles displayed click on the Vehicle Name or the photo. You'll see lots of information on the vehicle as well as a form to send to get more information from the seller (whether a dealership or an individual) as well as a phone number (if the seller is an individual there'll be a link to click on to display their phone number).
  
  

Vehix.com - Find used vehicles near any city
http://www.vehix.com/inventory/Used.aspx#Search

A very good search tool with a significantly increased number of vehicles in the database (just over 1,060,000 as of February 2010) . Results are well-displayed but re-sorting is limited. Details on individual vehicles are good.

You'll need to enter your zip code as soon as you enter the site - instructions below presume you have done so.

Pros:
The search process is very good - use either the make, category, price or advanced button to specify your criteria . If you choose advanced you can specify age range, make and model, price range, color and MPG in both city and highway and you can search 25 miles to any distance from your zip code. Once you're done just click on the blue 'Go' button.

The results list is well done (although I would like to see an option to display the list without pictures - or with much smaller ones - so that it would be easier to scan quickly) and off to the left you see how many cars fall within various categories. You can refine your search on the fly using these categories - say for example you only wanted a red vehicle - you could then click on the word 'red' (presuming that there are some red vehicles in the list that you've obtained) and see only the red cars that match your other criteria.

Details on individual vehicles are good - VIN is provided in most cases, there's a link to a (preliminary) free Carfax report, you can print the page and you can email the details to a friend (or to your cell phone). It is easy to get further information on a vehicle - there is a non-secure 'contact the seller' form and many of the dealerships have toll free numbers you can call.

Cons:
If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure. There is no indication given as to how long you will wait for someone from the dealership to contact you once you request more information.

I would like to see more options for re-sorting your results - at present the only options are to sort by 'best match' (I presume to your search criteria) or by price (ascending or descending). It seems silly to let you input your zipcode and distance to search from it but then not allow you to order your results by distance from you (or tell you how far a dealership is away from you either).

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Use the make, category, price or advanced button in the box in the left upper area of the screen. Your zipcode will have been input automatically (after you entered it when you first came to the site) and you choose your search radius from 25 miles to any distance. Once you choose a make or category you'll go directly to the results screen. If you choose the Advanced or Price search button you'll need to click on the Go button when you are done specifying your criteria.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Produce a results list (see above) and then click on the vehicle photo within the individual listing. To get more details you can either telephone (often a toll free number to a dealership) or use the non-secure email form on the right hand side of the page.
  
  

FordDirect.com - Get A Free Price Quote, Build Your Vehicle, Search Dealer Inventory
http://www.forddirect.com/

At first glance it can be tricky to figure out how to search for used vehicles on the FordDirect site (it's through a not too large link in the bottom middle of the main page). But once you figure it out you're sure to find the procedure quick and easy. You can also search for non-Ford vehicles although of course there is no guarantee that you will find them on a Ford Dealer's lot. The listing of displayed results is a tad cumbersome but workable and the vehicle details are relatively good. Getting more information on a particular vehicle is easy to do.

Pros:
The search process is quick and easy using distance (10 miles to any distance) from your zip code as well as make, model, age range and price range. Search results are fairly well presented and you can re-sort them by mileage, price, year or distance from your zip code. Details on individual vehicles are fair with the VIN listed and links to printable vehicle details (which might be useful). You can also email the details to a friend. To get more information just fill out the form on the far right hand side of the page and then click on the 'Get More Information' button.

Cons:
The search process does not allow you to specify mileage as a search criteria. If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure. There is no indication given as to how long you will wait for someone from the dealership to contact you once you request more information. It would be nice to see FordDirect include links to Carfax vehicle history results on the vehicle details page.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Simply input your zip code in the box beneath the "Looking for a Used Vehicle?" heading (middle bottom of the page) and click on the blue button. On the next page specify make (you can search for any make, not just Ford), model, age range, price range and search radius. Click on Next when you are done setting your criteria.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you've got a results list displayed (see above) click on the vehicle name to see the detailed vehicle listing. To get more information you can use the nonsecure email form on the right hand side of the page or click on the Call Internet Representative - also on the right but a little higher up than the email form (the latter will pop up a window containing the name and phone number of the Internet Representative at the dealership).
  
  

Used Cars and Trucks for Sale - CarsDirect
http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/search

The CarsDirect approach is good with a simple search process and lots of cars in the database. The results listing system is very well done. Results can be re-sorted in a number of ways and links at the top and on the sides show you the breakdown of your results list by age, price range, mileage, color etc. Contacting the seller is easy.

Pros:
At first glance the ability to only specify make and model and your zip code on the main search page seems like a drawback - but on the next page you'll see that isn't the case. You can revise your search on the fly using the filters/categories in the left-hand column. You can also re-sort by year, price, mileage and distance from your zipcode. There is lots of information provided on individual vehicles and VIN seems to be included on all. The Auto Check free vehicle history report seems very comprehensive for the price (that being zero). Contacting the seller is easy and you can save cars that interest you.

Cons:
The only negatives I can see are that the email form where you request more information is not secure and that no turnaround guarantee is given in terms of when you'll hear back from the selling dealership.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Simply enter your zip code and select make and model from the drop down lists and then click on the green SEARCH button.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have a results list displayed (see above) simply click on the vehicle Make/Model link to see detailed information on that vehicle. On the right hand side of the page you will be able to contact the seller via email and/or telephone.
  
  

Used Cars - Find a Used Car in Your Area
http://www.autobytel.com/content/buy/used/index.cfm

Autobytel is a good place to buy a used car online. Searching online inventory is quick and easy. The displayed list of results is fairly well presented and details on individual cars are good. Should you want more information on a car you've found you are usually offered more than one contact method (toll free telephone or email).

Pros:
It seems that many sites are using a new search approach which eliminates many criteria from the front end of the search but then gives you the option to refine your search further when results are displayed. Autobytel now just lets you search by make and zipcode from the main page. On the results page you can narrow down your results by model, price, mileage, distance from you and age (simply click on the categories in the left hand column). The results can also be re-sorted by best match, mileage, distance from you and price.

Details on individual vehicles are fair with VIN listed, pictures, a link to Kelley Blue Book and AutoCheck (vehicle history) and the standard 'contact the seller' form.

Cons:
If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure. There is no indication given as to how long you will wait for someone from the dealership to contact you once you request more information. The details page is not particularly full-featured and could have more additional information and tools (like a print function or the ability to send the details to a friend via email).

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Simply indicate your desired make and zip code in the middle upper region of the page and click on the 'Begin Search' button.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have produced a list of cars you are interested in (see above) simply click on the vehicle name to see details on that vehicle. On the next screen fill out the non-secure email request form (just to the right of the picture of the vehicle) to get more information (sometimes the dealership will also list their telephone number but not always).
  
  

Used Cars Search at CarMax.com
http://www.carmax.com/enUS/car-search/used-cars.html

CarMax won't necessarily have what you are looking for in your city but it never hurts to check. Their search is quick and easy and also allows you to search by vehicle type or price range alone rather than specific make and model combinations. Results are listed very effectively and details on individual vehicles are good with the exception being that none of them have a VIN! You can get more information on a vehicle by email or telephone.

Pros:
The link we've given you will display all used vehicles. You can then click on the links provided that break the cars into categories by make, features, fuel efficiency or type. Or you can use the search box on the right hand side of the page. There are lots of vehicles in the database and the variety of search methods is good.

The results list can be re-sorted by distance, make, fuel efficiency, year, price, mileage, colour and even by when the ad was input. CarMax promises to get back to you in 60 minutes (!) during business hours if you inquire about a vehicle.

Details on individual vehicles are very good (well, except for the missing VIN) with lots of pictures, rating information on the vehicle, links to various tools (monthly payment calculator, insurance quote), the ability to print the details page as well as save the car, email details to a friend or even share it on Facebook! You can contact CarMax by phone (tollfree) or email - to do the latter click on the lime green 'contact us for more info' button.

Cons:
If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure. The VIN is not listed on the vehicle details page.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Click on one of the category links (make, MPG city, MPG highway, type, features) or use the simple search on the right hand side of the page that allows you to specify make, type, model and price range.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have a results list displayed (see above) click on the vehicle make and model link or the picture to see the detail page. To request more information click on the Contact us for More Info button (to bring up a non-secure form for your information) or call the phone number provided above this button.
  
  

Swapalease.com - car lease takeover
http://www.swapalease.com/

When Swapalease first came along it was a novel concept - now many sites are offering lease transfer (for both buyers and sellers). Still, Swapalease still has some advantages - there are lots of cars on the site and the process is well explained.

Pros:
The main page search seems very rudimentary, allowing you to specify only make/model and zipcode, but on the next screen you can further refine your search by things like distance from your zipcode or maximum monthly payment. Search results are fairly well presented but the re-sorting options are limited. The search tool is strong in terms of leasing characteristics (not surprisingly) allowing you to specify monthly payment range, miles per month and months left in the lease as search criteria.

Details on individual vehicles are adequate with VIN given and a few helpful options (ask seller question, add to wish list). If you want more information from the seller you'll have to join Swapalease which is free for buyers.

Cons:
The biggest con with this site is that although you can search by distance from your zip code you can only re-sort results by months left in the lease or monthly payment. You can filter results by state by clicking on the Advanced Search link (below the orangey yellow SEARCH button on the screen directly after your enter your initial search details on the main page) and selecting a state. However, in geographically big states (like California) knowing that a vehicle is in California is really not that helpful. The form to ask for more information is not secure and of course if you decide to take over someone's lease the service is NOT free.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Under the Find A Lease graphic select a make and model (you don't have to pick a model at this point actually so leave it blank if you're undecided), input your zip code and click on the FIND LEASE button. On the next screen you can further refine your search by things like distance from your zipcode or maximum monthly payment.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  After finding a vehicle (see above) click on the more info button to see details on an individual vehicle. You can ask the seller pre-set questions by clicking on the "Ask Seller Question" link in the box below the photo of the vehicle.
  
  

Find Your Vehicle - AutoNation - New & Used Car Search
http://www.autonation.com/index.cfm?action=inventorysearch

This site has dropped a bit in the ratings since it seems to have far fewer vehicles this review than previously (for example a search for all Audis nationwide produced only 111 vehicles). The search is adequate and search results are well displayed and can be re-sorted. Details on individual vehicles are good and getting more information is easy.

Pros:
You can search by Make & Model, Vehicle Type or Payment. Search results are fairly well presented and you can re-sort them by year, make, model, trim, mileage, price and distance from your zip code. Although initial searching criteria are limited AutoNation has, like so many other sites, adopted the model of allowing you to further filter you results after they are displayed. This works well although I'm not sure if this is more efficient or helpful for searchers. Details on individual vehicles are good with VIN listed, a link to a Carfax vehicle report and the KBB value automatically displayed.

Cons:
If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure and asks for a lot of mandatory information. There is no indication given as to how long you will wait for someone from the dealership to contact you once you request more information.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  Click on the Used radio button and enter your zip code and search radius and select a Make but leave the Model box at default (All Models). On the next page you'll be able to 'filter' the results by price (with an upper limit - so for example, 'see all vehicles less than $15,000'), mileage, model and fuel efficiency.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have a results list displayed (see above) simply click anywhere within the listing for that vehicle. To get more information on a vehicle you can fill out and submit the email form on the details page or telephone the contacts listed in the blue box just below the 'Quick Quote' heading (though why you'd need a quote since the internet price is clearly listed is beyond me).
  
  

Autoweb.com Used Cars Online
http://www.autoweb.com/content/buy/used/index.cfm

Autoweb is another member of the Autobytel family of sites. It is quick and easy to search inventory. Unfortunately although results are displayed in a fairly good format they cannot be re-sorted. Details on individual cars are good.

Pros:
The search process is quick and easy using distance (25 miles to entire US) from your zip code and allowing you to specify price range on the initial search page. You can compare up to 3 vehicles to each other. Details on individual vehicles are good with VIN listed and a link to an AutoCheck vehicle report.

Cons:
The search process does not allow you to specify mileage as a search criteria. But the real downfall of this site - which is very odd in the extreme - is that you can no longer re-sort your search results - the order they are presented in is your only option. Another couple of problems that became apparent on this review are the relatively low number of vehicles in the database (only 3 Audi A3s found nationwide for example) and the lack of pricing - two of these three vehicles were not displaying a price.

If you want more information the email form on the details page is not secure. There is no indication given as to how long you will wait for someone from the dealership to contact you once you request more information.

How to:

• Search for a Used Vehicle
  On the main page simply select your make, model, age range, price range and input your zip code and distance from your zip code to search. Click on the NEXT button.
  
  
• Get more information on a vehicle
  Once you have produced a list of cars you are interested in (see above) simply click on the vehicle name to see details on that vehicle. On the next screen fill out the non-secure email request (in the light-yellow column on the right hand side of the page) form to get more information (sometimes the dealership will also list their telephone number but not always).
  
  

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