Are you using CarGurus to find your next ride? Here’s how to get the most out of the tool and reap the benefits.
Tips and tricks you need to know when buying and selling cars online
Here are some easy ways to find out how much your car is worth.
problem solved
- Consumers rely on CarGurus to research and purchase vehicles.
- CarGurus is a valuable tool when combined with other car research sites.
- Researching with CarGurus is just the beginning of your car buying journey. With the right guidance, you can end up with a good deal.
Where do you go first when looking for your next car? A preliminary general search might involve checking the Web for the model you’re interested in. The question is, how do you start your search? Recent data from Google Trends shows that many consumers are turning to CarGurus for automotive research.
Scrolling through long lists of things we want has become a great American pastime. Digital window shopping is fairly common, whether it’s Zillow, Amazon’s wish list, or automotive sites like CarGurus. Is CarGurus really the best place for shoppers to find great deals on their next car? Here’s what you need to know about working with the platform.
What does CarGurus do? Why do people use it?
CarGurus is a publicly traded company (CARG on NASDAQ) that specializes in American automotive research, vehicle comparisons, and local listings. It was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2006 by one of the co-founders of TripAdvisor.
According to CarGurus, in just over a decade it has “become the most-visited auto shopping site in the United States.” This platform allows users to buy, sell, and research cars. It doesn’t sell cars directly to consumers like CarMax or Carvana. Instead, it serves as a directory of car sales listings across the country, connecting buyers with car dealers.
The platform takes things a step further by offering consumers filters tailored to their specific wants and needs. Additionally, we provide trade ratings for thousands of vehicles using a range from “too expensive” to “good value.”
How to find great car deals with CarGurus
When you visit CarGurus.com, you’ll first be asked to enter your make, model, and zip code, whether you’re searching for a used or new car on the site. If you’re not interested in a specific brand at the beginning of your search, you can select “All Manufacturers.”
As users scroll down the left side of the screen (via a web browser), they will see deal rating options to narrow their search. Select the ‘Great Deals’ option to view a curated list of vehicles offered by local dealers.
CarGurus is a great resource, but be careful. It shouldn’t be your only resource when buying a car. You should always do independent research on the specific make, model, and year of a car before purchasing it. Resources like CarComplaints help drivers learn about issues owners encounter with specific makes and models. Other resources, such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), can help you find a fair market value range for a used car.
Use CarGurus like a pro
Buying a car can be a disaster, and researching it isn’t always fun. However, properly researching a vehicle’s fair market value can save you thousands of dollars and give you a leg up when negotiating the price. Working with CarGurus and using other resources to verify many things is easier than you think.
For example, if you search for a used Nissan Rouge in Antioch, Tennessee, there are 324 results as of October 14th. Refine this search using the ‘best deals’ filter to bring some of the most attractive offers to the front of your search. Then use your price and mileage preferences to further narrow your search.
J.D. Power says, “There is no absolute mileage limit that would be considered too high for a used vehicle.” On the other hand, vehicles that have been well-used early in their lifecycle are generally less likely to develop serious engine or transmission problems. So when looking for a used car, adjust your mileage slider accordingly. New cars are significantly more expensive than older used cars due to depreciation.
As an experienced automotive journalist and car enthusiast, my preference is to look for used cars that are less than five years old and have less than 50,000 miles on them. These vehicles tend to have the latest driver assistance and safety technology while avoiding the extreme wear and tear of long-term ownership.
Once you find a model you’re interested in, you can use Kelley Blue Book to evaluate how good of a deal that listing is based on its make, model, year, mileage, and trim. Below is an example of KBB’s price rating for a 2020 Nissan Rogue SV in Antioch, TN that matches the CarGurus listing description. Based on price ratings, CarGurus’ 2020 Rogue SV listing’s “Great Value” rating is accurate.
Challenges when purchasing new and used cars through listings
Purchasing a new or used car after a thorough search on car research sites has an entirely different element. It’s a dealer. A car dealer may list a vehicle for a certain price and then charge a hefty commission. Hidden fees have become so common that the Federal Trade Commission has decided to step in to fight retail auto fraud.
Before you get too excited about the great deals posted on sites like CarGurus (or any other car site), be sure to do your due diligence. According to Nerd Wallet, “A car’s street price is the amount you would pay if you walked out the dealership door with the keys in hand.” If you end up going to a dealer after following an online listing, be sure to know the exact “in-store” price of the vehicle before you make a purchase decision.
Buying a new or used car can be a harrowing process, but research can help ensure consumers are happy with their purchase once the ink dries and the ignition starts. You can’t do too much research before making a long-term financial commitment involving a car.
