Pros and Cons of Buying a Car Online

Car shopping has changed. You no longer have to trek into a dealership and spend countless hours checking out options, doing test drives, and negotiating financing with a team of dealership experts. You can conduct your research and even do a virtual test drive from the comfort of your home at a time that fits your schedule. But there are limits to online buying. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of buying a car online:

Convenient, no-pressure situation

A car is a big purchase! No matter if you’re buying a pre-owned model or splurging on the latest model year with a ton of extras, buying a car is not something to rush into. Online shopping can offer you the time you need to research, review, and consider your options without any pressure from a salesperson. You can find unlimited resources for consumer reviews, vehicle ratings, and reliability scores. You can take your time figuring out what car is right for you without filtering out chatter from someone pushing a specific vehicle or deal.

“Going into a dealership and haggling with car salespeople isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, many of us would rather do almost anything than face the high-pressure sales tactics, the sexism, and the hardball negotiating that often comes hand-in-hand with buying a car,” according to Chaya Milchtein, writer for RealSimple.com.

Lack of test-drive or in-person assessment

If you are buying a car 100% online and forgoing any visit to a dealership, you won’t be able to do a visual inspection or test-drive of your intended purchase. Although a picture is worth a thousand words, it cannot convey everything about how you’ll experience a vehicle. You cannot tell from a picture how the materials feel or how the vehicle handles.

“This disadvantage represents another shortfall because, for many of us, ‘driving is believing,” according to Jack R. Nerad, writer for JDPower.com.

Not being there in person also negates your opportunity for a thorough inspection of the vehicle from a trusted mechanic. Yes, you can spot damage to upholstery or a frame in pictures, but you won’t be able to see the condition of the brakes or if any belts or hoses are wearing thin. An inspection is typically a crucial component of buying a pre-owned model. Although you may have to forgo a pre-purchase inspection, Milchtein notes most online retailers offer a return period after the date of purchase; this may give you the time you need to have the vehicle evaluated by an automotive professional.

So many choices

When you expand your car shopping to the practically limitless cyberspace, you’ll have more options to consider than the ones available at a single dealership. You don’t have to burn gas driving all over town to search the physical inventories of dealerships, notes John M. Vincent, writer for U.S. News & World Report.

“Now, customers can look online to check the inventory of both new and used cars at dealerships far and wide,” Vincent adds.

The traditional in-person car shopping experience is just one way to purchase a car. With online retailers and even online buying options from your local dealership, you can secure a new car when and where it best suits you.