Best Websites for Used Car Shopping

Having bought and sold quite a few cars online, I have stumbled upon some excellent websites to check next time you're in the market for another car; or to torture yourself with right after you bought one. I found the following sites either generate the highest umber of relevant results, or provide a resource for some of the most obscure finds. Skip the used car lot and click on one of these.


CarGurus

As far as mainstream sites, where dealerships generally list their used inventory, I find some difficulty using most of the names out there. Sites like Autotrader and Cars.com generally flood you with results that are either irrelevant, cumbersome, lacking info, or outdated. One of the best sites to use, and one which also works very well on mobile device, is CarGurus. CarGurus allows for lightning quick searches that you can easily narrow down, but that generally return the most appropriate results the first time. They also list their cars by value versus the average market price, clearly highlighting whether the car is a "good deal," a "fair deal," or a "overpriced." This site also makes contacting the dealership easy, and navigation is very smooth. One of the first places I check for car prices, or just to dream of potential future purchases, you should absolutely give them a try:

CarGurus

SVT Performance Forum Marketplace

On the other end of the spectrum are the obscure, one off, and fully modified vehicles only listed by private owners, and generally in local forums. Whether it's a rare motor swap, fully caged race build, or ungodly assortment of turbochargers and nitrous bottles, your best odds of finding it for sale are on SVTPerformanceForums, in their marketplace within the other vehicles section. I discovered this site when I owned an SVT Cobra, and keep checking year after year to find an astonishing array of impressive and rare builds at very reasonable prices. I promise you'll be shocked at what you find here, and I apologize in advance to your significant other for spending your vacation money for you.

SVT Performance Forum Marketplace

VWVortex Classifieds

Both Audis and Volkswagens are popular all over the country for either their al wheel drive capabilities, performance, luxury, or handsome styling at affordable prices. Next time you're shopping for anything Volkswagen/Audi, check out the classified section of VWVortex. You can find all makes on models across all years from either manufacturer, anywhere from a factory stock and well maintained family cruiser to a race prepped classic.

VWVortex Volkswagen Classifieds
VWVortex Audi Classifieds

E90 Post Classifieds

Another used car favorite, BMWs change hands more often than your office stapler. Flooding all manner of car forums and used car browsers, it's sometimes hard to know where to start when shopping for one used. I always suggest starting with enthusiast forums, and E90 Post is one of the best as far as activity and availability of cars and parts. Click around for some great regional forums where you can find excellent deals, and for the parts and accessory specific sections. If you want the complete vehicle, the link below will take you directly to the "cars for sale" section.

E90 Post Used Car Classifieds

Those should get you started in hunting for your next great ride. While there are many options, these are the few I browse regularly and for good reason. If you know the exact make and model you want, I often recommend checking a brand-specific forum and following a thorough pre purchase inspection process before buying. As far as dealerships, check that CarGurus site, and you'll surely find a great deal on what you want, or what you didn't even know you want.

See you on the road,

Alexander