Buy a New Car Online

Buying a new car online is not only more convenient than going to a physical dealership, it can also save you money. Once you know what car you want, shop around at different retailers and negotiate with the salesperson to get the best deal. Then, get the proper financing, transfer the title, and have your vehicle delivered right to your door. Bring on that new car smell!


Steps

Picking out a Car

  1. Decide what type of car you want by considering your lifestyle and needs. When choosing a type of car, think about factors like how much you drive, what kind of terrain you drive on, and how much storage or seating space you need.[1] For example, if you have a big family, you might want a minivan or SUV instead of a 2-seat sports car.[2]
    • If you drive a lot, like if you have a long commute or travel often, go with a smaller car that’s more gas-efficient instead of an SUV.
    • Consider where you live, too. For instance, if you live in a big city, you might get a more compact car that can navigate traffic and parking garages better.
  2. Filter your search based on your budget.[3] Determine how much you’re willing to spend on a new car. Then, when you’re browsing cars online, type in the maximum price for your search so that you’re only shown cars within your budget.[4]
  3. Narrow down your options according to color or features. Think about any specific features you want in your car, like 4-wheel drive or a state-of-the-art sound system, or a certain color. Then, use those items to filter out your search. If a car doesn’t have something you want, cross it off your list.[5]
    • If you have a long list of features or accessories you want, divide them into what’s non-negotiable and what you’d be willing to compromise on. You might need to give up a few things to find a car in your budget.
    • Other features to consider, for example, are whether the car runs on electric or fuel, the color and material of the seats, or if it has a built-in navigation system.

Choosing Where to Buy Your Car

  1. Purchase your car from a dealership if you know what brand you want. If you’ve decided on what brand or make of car you want, like Toyota or Honda, for example, buy it online from the dealer themselves. Look on any dealership’s website to find their Internet sales department and to see what different models are available.[6]
  2. Consider ordering a car from the factory if you want to customize it. If there’s a specific color you want for your car or certain features that aren’t offered on the dealership’s website, ask the salesperson about factory ordering the car. You can choose exactly what you want your car to have or look like, and then place the order through the dealership.
    • Not all dealerships have the ability to place factory orders. Others can only custom order cars on a quarterly basis. Ask your specific online dealership what’s available to you.
    • Be aware that it usually takes at least 8 to 12 weeks to get your custom car.
  3. Search an online car retailer for a larger selection. If you aren’t sure what make or model of car you want, browse the inventory on a car retailer’s website. Not only will they have a wide variety of styles and brands, these retailers can often provide more competitive prices than a dealer.[7]
    • Some popular online car retailers include TrueCar, Autotrader, and Cars.com.
  4. Compare prices on different sites to find the lowest one.[8] Never buy the first car you see, even if you know exactly what you want. Search online for the specific make and model you're interested in and check what other car retailers sell it, along with their prices.
    • Shopping around prevents you from paying more for something that you could have gotten for less.
    • You can also use websites and apps, such as https://www.cars.com/price/ or https://www.truecar.com/, that compile and list cars being sold by dealers throughout the country.

Getting the Best Deal

  1. Request a price quote from the seller for the car you’re interested in. To get an estimate for how much your car will cost, email the Internet sales department manager or contact a retailer via their customer service page and ask for a quote. Check that the quote includes every cost, including any hidden fees that sellers will sometimes leave out to make the price look more attractive. [9]
  2. Negotiate a fair price based on the car’s value. Most online sellers list a car for a higher price than it’s worth to try to get more money for it. Don’t immediately accept the list price. Instead, research what the market price is for that specific make and model and bargain with the seller to get the price closer to it.[10]
    • Use the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) or the price that the dealership paid for the car as leverage, too. You can find these numbers by asking to see the dealership’s invoice for the car.
    • Two popular pricing guides for cars include the Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/) and NADA Guides (https://www.nadaguides.com/).
    • For example, say something like “I’m very interested in this car, but you have it listed at $24,000. According to the Kelley Blue Book, the book value is only $22,000. Can you meet me at that price?”
  3. Buy at the end of the month or year when salespeople are trying to meet quotas. Since most salespeople have monthly or annual quotas they have to reach, they’re more likely to be flexible and open to negotiating price at the end of a month or a year. Contact the dealership or retailer during the last week of a month or year if you want to get a lower price.[11]
    • For example, buy your car on December 28th instead of December 2nd.
    • This applies to quarters, too. If the retailer operates on a 4-quarter year, the salespeople have to sell a certain amount every 3 months. Time your purchase accordingly.
  4. Shop on Cyber Monday if you're purchasing your car in November. If you are planning to buy your car during the fall, try to time your purchase around Cyber Monday, which is the Monday immediately after Thanksgiving in the U.S. when online retailers offer some of the best deals of the year. Go online to the retailer of your choice during that Monday to see if your car is part of any promotion or sale.[12]
    • Cyber Monday is typically the last or second-to-last Monday in November.
    • Get your car early in the day, like in the morning, because some products sell out fast on that Monday.

Making the Purchase

  1. Apply for a loan if you need help with financing. Use the application provided by the retailer or choose a third-party auto loan service to get the right payment plan for your purchase. Submit the application, then wait for approval before you buy the car to make sure everything processes properly.[13]
  2. Complete the paperwork for the car's title and registration online. When you buy a car, have the title transferred to your name and get the car registered in your home state.[15] Most dealers and retailers will provide the proper paperwork to do these things, which you can fill out and submit online.
    • If you're buying a car in a different state or country than where you live, the process is a little more complicated. Ask the seller what you need to do to make sure everything is in order before you drive your car.
  3. Pick up the car or arrange to have it shipped to you. If you live within driving distance of the seller, set up an appointment to go pick up the car. If you live far away, use the car shipping service provided by the retailer. Choose if you want the car delivered directly to your home or to the closest dealership, for example.[16]
    • Shipping costs depend on the company you use, how large the car is, and how far the company has to ship the car.
    • A lot of car transport services require you to put a deposit down first. Make sure you inspect the vehicle thoroughly when it arrives to confirm it wasn't damaged during delivery.


Tips

  • Purchase a car online from a dealership near you so you don't have to pay expensive shipping costs.
  • Test drive vehicles at a dealership nearby before buying one online.
  • Buy your car at the end of the month or the year because that's when salespeople are trying to meet quotas and they'll be more open to negotiating.
  • Always shop around to compare the price of a car on different sites and from different retailers.

Warnings

  • Avoid buying a car at the price it's listed at without negotiating. You'll likely end up paying more than you need to.
  • If you have a car shipped to you, inspect it as soon as it arrives to make sure it wasn't damaged during transport.
  • Be aware of hidden fees or taxes that a salesperson might not tell you about until the end of the purchase. Ask for all fees to be listed upfront.

References

  1. ↑ [v161059_b02]. 11 June 2019.
  2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/how-to-find-the-right-car-for-you/
  3. ↑ [v161059_b02]. 11 June 2019.
  4. ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/pick-right-car/
  5. ↑ https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/how-to-choose-the-right-car-for-you
  6. ↑ https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2016/10/buying-cars-online-what-you-should-know
  7. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/new-cars/buying-online.php
  8. ↑ [v161059_b02]. 11 June 2019.
  9. ↑ https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/a-9-step-guide-to-buying-a-car-online/
  10. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-pricing-negotiation/how-to-negotiate-a-new-car-price-effectively/
  11. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2018/08/15/heres-the-best-time-to-buy-a-car/#151f249b62ac
  12. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/black-friday-2018-vs-cyber-monday-whats-the-difference/
  13. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/used-cars/buying-online.php
  14. ↑ [v161059_b02]. 11 June 2019.
  15. ↑ [v161059_b02]. 11 June 2019.
  16. ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/how-to-buy-a-car/

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