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Top 20 Best Used Car Websites

Written by Mike Rupers on . Posted in Auto Mover, Auto Transport Reviews, Auto Trends, car shipment, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Service, Car Transport Calculator, Online Car Buying, Vehicle Information History.

When buying a used car, the internet has made the process easier and more convenient than ever. With so many websites claiming to offer the best deals on used cars, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones are worth your time and trust. Direct Express Auto Transport has shipped over 300,000 used cars over the past twenty years. This article has compiled our favorite 20 online used car buying websites.

1. CarGurus

CarGurus is a popular website that helps you find great deals on used cars. This website provides you with a comprehensive list of used cars for sale near you, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, CarGurus uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate the fair market price of each vehicle based on recent sales, so you can be sure you’re getting a fair deal.

2. Autotrader

Autotrader is another popular website for finding used cars. This site allows you to search for cars based on a wide range of criteria, including make, model, year, and price. You can also refine your search based on specific features, such as the car’s color, transmission type, and fuel efficiency. Autotrader also provides detailed information about each vehicle, as well as customer reviews, to help you make an informed decision.

3. Cars.com

Cars.com is a comprehensive resource for finding used cars. This site offers a large selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Cars.com provides you with a wealth of information and resources to help you make the best decision, including articles and guides on buying used cars and financing options.

4. Craigslist

Craigslist is a well-known online marketplace where you can buy and sell a wide range of goods, including used cars. While this site may not have the same level of polish as some of the other websites on this list, it’s still a great place to find a used car. Just be sure to exercise caution when using Craigslist, as there are some scams and fraudulent listings to be aware of.

5. TrueCar

TrueCar is a website that helps you find the best deal on a used car. This site provides you with a comprehensive list of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, TrueCar provides you with a fair market price for each vehicle, so you can be sure you’re getting a good deal.

6. Edmunds

Edmunds is another great resource for finding used cars. This website offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Edmunds provides you with valuable resources and tools to help you make an informed decision, including articles on financing and buying used cars, as well as a car loan calculator.

7. Kelly Blue Book (KBB)

Kelly Blue Book, or KBB, is a trusted source for used car information and pricing. This website provides you with a comprehensive list of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, KBB provides you with a fair market price for each vehicle, as well as expert reviews and ratings, to help you make an informed decision.

8. NADAguides

NADAguides is another great resource for finding used cars. This website offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, NADAguides provides you with a wealth of information and resources to help you make an informed decision, including articles on financing and buying used cars, as well as a car loan calculator.

9. Carfax

Carfax is a website that provides you with a detailed history of any used car you’re considering purchasing. This site allows you to run a background check on a vehicle, giving you valuable information about its past, including accidents, service history, and ownership history. This information can help you make an informed decision about the condition and value of a used car.

10. Carsforsale.com

Carsforsale.com is a comprehensive resource for finding used cars. This website offers a large selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Carsforsale.com provides you with a wealth of information and resources to help you make an informed decision, including articles on financing and buying used cars, as well as a car loan calculator.

11. Carsdirect

Carsdirect is a website that makes it easy for you to find the perfect used car. This site offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Carsdirect provides you with a car loan calculator, as well as articles and guides on financing and buying used cars, to help you make an informed decision.

12. CarSoup

CarSoup is a website that helps you find the best deals on used cars. This site offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, CarSoup provides you with a car loan calculator, as well as articles and guides on financing and buying used cars, to help you make an informed decision.

13. CarWow

CarWow is a website that makes it easy for you to buy a used car. This site offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, CarWoo provides you with a car loan calculator, as well as articles and guides on financing and buying used cars, to help you make an informed decision.

14. Carvana

Carvana is a website that offers a unique and convenient way to buy a used car. This site allows you to shop for used cars online, with a wide selection of vehicles available for purchase. Carvana also provides you with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews, to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, Carvana offers a 7-day return policy, so you can be sure you’re happy with your purchase.

15. Vroom

Vroom is a website that offers a convenient way to buy a used car. This site allows you to shop for used cars online, with a wide selection of vehicles available for purchase. Vroom also provides you with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews, to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, Vroom offers a 7-day return policy, so you can be sure you’re happy with your purchase.

16. LeaseTrader

LeaseTrader is a website that offers a unique way to buy a used car. This site allows you to take over the lease of a used car, rather than buying it outright. This can be a great option for those who want a new car every few years without having to go through the process of selling their current vehicle. LeaseTrader provides you with a comprehensive list of used cars available for lease transfer, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews.

17. Swapalease

Swapalease is another website that offers a unique way to buy a used car. This site allows you to take over the lease of a used car, rather than buying it outright. This can be a great option for those who want a new car every few years without having to go through the process of selling their current vehicle. Swapalease provides you with a comprehensive list of used cars available for lease transfer, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews.

18. Leasehackr

Leasehackr is a website that provides you with the tools and resources you need to find the best lease deals on used cars. This site offers a comprehensive list of used cars available for lease, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Leasehackr provides you with articles and guides on leasing and buying used cars, as well as a lease calculator, to help you make an informed decision.

19. Automotive.com

Automotive.com is a comprehensive resource for buying a used car. This site offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, Automotive.com provides you with a wealth of information and resources to help you make an informed decision, including articles on financing and buying used cars, as well as a car loan calculator.

20. MotorTrend

MotorTrend is a website that provides you with comprehensive coverage of the automotive industry. This site offers a wide selection of used cars for sale, along with detailed information about each vehicle, including photos, specs, and customer reviews. Additionally, MotorTrend provides you with expert reviews and ratings, as well as articles and guides on financing and buying used cars, to help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

There are many great used car websites out there that can help you find the perfect car for you, no matter what your needs and preferences may be. Whether you’re looking for a traditional online marketplace, a unique leasing option, or a comprehensive resource for buying a used car, there’s a website out there that will meet your needs. By doing your research and comparing your options, you’ll be able to find the right website to help you find your next used car.

In conclusion, these are the top 20 used car websites that you should consider when shopping for your next car. With their comprehensive selection of used cars, detailed vehicle information, and valuable resources and tools, these sites will help you find the right car for you and make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. The expedited car shipping rate is most recommended, and we have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and we have many customers who are glad they went with that method.

photo of Autumn road for car shipping seasons

Best Car Shipping Seasons & Time Frames

Written by Mike Rupers on . Posted in Auto Mover, Auto Shipping, Car Shipping Service, Car Transport Calculator, Seasonal Fluctuations, Snowbird Auto Transport.

Whether you need to move your vehicle 500 miles in the state or 3,000 miles across the country, such as from Miami to Seattle, shipping your car with an auto transport carrier can make it much easier than trying to drive it yourself. But when you are planning the best car shipping seasons, there are a few questions you want to be answered, like:

  • How long will it take?
  • How far in advance should I book?
  • When’s the best time of year to ship a car?
  • What’s the busiest time?

We strive to answer these questions and more by giving you the best, most honest, and most straightforward information so that you can make the right decision for your situation.

Car Shipping Time Estimates

The first questions on most peoples’ minds are, “how long will it take for it to get picked up?” and “when will it be delivered?” 

As a good rule of thumb, auto transport carriers traverse about 500 miles daily. If you’re shipping 500 miles or less, you could have it delivered within 1-3 days. If you’re shipping across the country, count on the transport time to take around a week. 

Remember, carriers face unpredictable situations over which they have no control, such as inclement weather or truck breakdowns. Car shipping estimates are just that, estimates. And if this is your first time using an auto transport service, check out our guide to everything you need to know. It is beneficial information and car shipping advice. 

If you can plan accordingly, you reduce your likelihood of being frustrated. That means planning to be without the vehicle for a few days and arranging for a rental, ride-sharing, carpooling, or bumming rides from friends. Speaking of friends, allow the people in your life to lend you a hand. 

Another common question is whether you have to be there for both the pick up from the origin point and the delivery of the car to its destination. Thankfully, no! All that is required is a person you trust who is 18 or older and available to turn over or receive the vehicle. It takes about 30 minutes, so asking is reasonable and manageable. And they know you’d do it for them. That allows you to buy a car from across the country or fly to your destination in comfort and know someone else can get your vehicle shipped or received.

Best Car Shipping Seasons

Now that you have the logistics of shipping and receiving the car, it’s time to plan when? Sometimes, you must go when you must, such as moving for a job, deploying, or shipping a car for college. But you may have the luxury of choosing the best car shipping season in which you send a vehicle. Either way, information is power. So let’s talk about the best time to ship a car.

Autumn Is The Best Season For Car Shipping

Autumn is the ideal time of year to ship a vehicle. September, October, and the first half of November provide the best options for lower rates and faster delivery. The summer rush is over, the snowbird migration has yet to begin, and you’re unlikely to contend as much with the weather. And because it’s not a rush season, you’re also competing with fewer shippers, so rates are less costly as transporters try to fill loads. Plus, the holidays have yet to arrive, so shippers are still actively seeking loads instead of settling in to enjoy time with their loved ones.

Winter Is The Toughest Season For Car Transport

The winter months of December, January, and February are the toughest for car shippers all year. Fewer people are relocating or buying cars. The weather makes many parts of the country impassable or logistically challenging. It’s hard to amalgamate a full load, except for the short four-week snowbird season to warm weather states, in late December to mid-January. The rest of winter is so sparse and costly that many transporters park their rigs for the winter. Customers might find it both expensive and difficult to ship in the winter.

Spring Is A Good Season To Ship A Car

The spring months of March, April, and May are ideal for auto transport services. There are more car haulers; thus, space is available, and the weather typically is moderate and easier for the drivers. Car shipping costs are usually stable. The only caveat is that a massive influx of snowbirds leaves Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Southern California in April and May. Shipping a car from those states in the spring can be very expensive. 

Summer Is The Busiest Season For Auto Transport

Because of the school year, many people move during the summer months. This influx, accompanied by idyllic weather, means summer is undeniably the busiest season. Busy also means more expensive, as you’re competing with other customers for limited space on transport vehicles. If you car ship in the active summer months, you may need to pay more to incentivize haulers to pick up your vehicle. 

That could make it worth it for the hauler to choose either your vehicle over someone else’s in the summer or entice them to drive a car to or from a place, not along a well-traveled route or facing inclement weather in the winter.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. We recommend the expedited car shipping rate and have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and many customers are glad they went with that method.