Shopping from Home
With the proliferation of high-speed internet and advancement in e-commerce technology, buying a car online has become increasingly popular. Thanks to online car places and dealership websites, you can now complete the entire car buying process without ever stepping foot into a traditional brick-and-mortar dealership. Browsing inventory, getting price quotes, applying for financing, and signing paperwork can all be done remotely with just a few clicks. This provides car shoppers with unprecedented convenience and the ability to research their options anytime, anywhere.
While some aspects like test driving still require a dealership visit, most other steps Online Car Buying are seamlessly integrated into online platforms. You can search massive databases of new and used cars nationwide based on make, model, trim, features, price range, and location. Detailed vehicle listings include photos from multiple angles, standard equipment, available packages, financing calculators, and more. This level of transparent information helps buyers better evaluate their choices and negotiate confidently. Site filters let you narrow down options to exactly what you're looking for to make the selection process simpler.
Conducting Research from Home
Doing preparation work remotely allows researching specific vehicles extensively before ever setting foot in a showroom. You can spend hours reading expert and owner reviews online to get an unbiased picture of reliability, fuel economy, comfort and value retention over time. Auto journalist reviews provide in-depth evaluations on driving dynamics, steering feel, engine performance and more technical details. Customer reviews on sites like Edmunds and Consumer Reports offer real-world insight into long-term vehicle ownership. Video walk-arounds and test drives by publications give a sense of what it's like to live with a certain car day-to-day.
Armed with this knowledge, online shoppers enter negotiations much better informed. They understand common problems to watch out for, which options work well and how a vehicle truly drives. This empowered position aids negotiating the best deal. Being educated on invoice, MSRP and value helps recognize unreasonable pricing. Online chat and email make it simple to contact multiple dealers at once and play them against each other for the most competitive offers without wasting time driving around. Some platforms even present the best deals upfront within a few miles, taking all the leg work out of the process.
Simplified Financing
Gone are the days of filling out tedious paper piles at the dealership while salespeople hover overhead. Now financing is streamlined to a couple online forms from the comfort of home. Many listing sites provide pre-qualification without a hard credit pull upfront to get an estimate of rates and down payment amounts you may be offered. Once a vehicle is selected, approved lenders compete for your business by offering the best combination of interest rate percentages and terms.
Some dealerships even let you apply for loans completely digitally and e-sign all documents for instant approval. E-contracts make the process lightning quick while maintaining full legal authority. Options like variable rate loans, cash back incentives, balloon payments and extended warranties let you customize your deal for your situation and budget. Integrated payment calculators upfront detail exactly what your monthly payment will be over the life of the loan with your chosen down payment and terms to avoid surprises later. Finding the right loan is quicker, easier and more transparent than ever before thanks to online shopping.
Taking it for a Test Drive
While inventory browsing, research and paper signing can all be done remotely, one key aspect still requires a physical visit - the test drive. Even though you enter the process well-informed, getting behind the wheel is important before making a five-figure commitment. Once narrowing options online, request a test drive directly through a dealership site or via phone/email. Most are accommodating to schedule appointments on nights and weekends for buyer convenience.
Use the opportunity to evaluate seat comfort over long distance, steering feel at low and high speeds, braking performance in different situations and how the engine, transmission and suspension all work together on various road types. Take notes on things like infotainment controls, driver assist technologies, ingress/egress ease and storage space. Experiencing the in-person dynamics aids the final go/no-go decision and peace of mind that your choice is the right one. Don’t forget to re-negotiate if even minor things come up during the drive that weren’t evident online.
Finalizing the Deal
With homework done and a vehicle test drive completed, these well-informed online shoppers hold the power position. They know their vehicle ins and outs, its true value, and financing options. This allows negotiating the best out-the-door price, which may include various add-ons and packages. Sometimes further discounts can be had by finalizing the deal fully remotely without any follow up trips to a dealer. E-contracts and mobile notary visits even bring the paperwork process to your home.
Overall the online car buying process has evolved tremendously to bring unprecedented convenience and control into buyer hands. With vehicles now researched, priced and purchased entirely virtually, it has never been easier for consumers to find the right car at the right value from wherever they are in just a few clicks. While test drives still require dealing with salespeople, online shoppers enter that final phase better informed to get exactly what they want.
Get More Insights on — Online Car Buying
Discover the language that resonates with you:
About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
