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By Ken Leebow, Incredible Internet Guy
(ARA) - Shopping for a new or used car in cyberspace provides a convenient and
comfortable environment for buying a car without the high-pressure sales tactics
commonly found on car lots.
The first step, finding the perfect car to buy, is probably the most difficult.
With so many options to choose from, knowing where to begin is essential. A good
place to start is the manufacturer's Web site. For example, if a potential buyer
is interested in a Subaru, they can visit subaru.com and find a wealth of
information about a specific model. It is also important to research independent
reviews of the car of interest. For reviews, visit caranddriver.com or
edmunds.com -- they both cover a wide range of makes of models.
If buyers are unsure of what they want, carsdirect.com is a helpful site
that acts as a virtual salesroom for new cars. Once buyers receive a quoted
price, they can compare that price with the MSRP or invoice price. A great place
to find this information is on edmunds.com, which provides MSRPs, invoice
prices, and its own True Market Value pricing for just about every car on the
market. When buyers are satisfied with the price, they can place a deposit on
the car and submit an order for pickup or delivery.
The next step, and often the most painful one, involves securing a loan.
However, the Internet can make this process much easier. Many sites, including
eloan.com, allow shoppers to apply for and receive loan approvals in just
hours. If looking for a faster response, peoplefirst.com offers approval
decisions within 15 minutes. Buyers can also visit bankrate.com to can make
certain they are receiving a fair deal in addition to finding the latest
information on car loan interest rates. |
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Finally, car buyers can also insure their new car without leaving their
home. Several sites including insurance.com, pivot.com and
insweb.com offer online marketplaces to inform consumers about car
insurance and shop for free quotes. These sites recommend getting at least
three quotes to guarantee accuracy.
One of the biggest concerns people have when buying a used car is
recognizing whether or not they are getting a "lemon." The Net can help
buyers find out. For a one-stop-shop atmosphere, visit
is-it-a-lemon.com. This site provides used car buyers with information
on state lemon laws, performance, statistics and history about a wide
range of manufacturers' vehicles as well as links to Car Fax reports and
the Kelly Blue Book. Internet sites such as carfax.com and
cardetective.com can also track a vehicle's history and provide
detailed reports for under $20.
Perhaps the most important thing shoppers can arm themselves with in
buying a used car is a warranty. To explore warranty options, visit
warrantydirect.com. This site offers used car buyers low-priced loans
and a wide variety of options.
Buying a car online, whether new or used, can be an enjoyable and simple
experience, provided that car buyers know where to go and how to protect
themselves.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Fast Cool Cars
Eco Cars
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