There are several auto listings sites available, and often buyers and sellers wonder which site they should use to find or sell a vehicle. This article is going to break down the information you need to know to make the most informed decision between Autotrader and Car Gurus.
Autotrader Facts
Autotrader is proud to be your ultimate online solution for buying and selling new, certified, and used cars. Part of the Cox Automotive family of brands, we have been helping car shoppers and sellers since 1997. One of our big strengths is our listings of vehicles for sale. Also, Autotrader backs up those substantial number of listings with the Kelley Blue Book price so you know you’re getting a fair price.
Autotrader has a feature called “Dealer Home Services” that allows shoppers to search for all new and used cars or only those where the seller offers a video walkaround, at-home test drive, and vehicle delivery should you choose to buy a car from them.
We are confident you will find the information and services on Autotrader to be the easiest and best way to find your next new or used car, classic, exotic, motorcycle, or RV.
Car Gurus Facts
CarGurus was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2006, and now operates in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The site claims to be “the most visited automotive shipping site in the US, with more car listings than any other major automotive marketplace in the US.”
Let’s break down the buying and selling options for both Autotrader and Car Gurus
Autotrader Listings for Buyers for New and Used Cars
New Cars
Autotrader provides several ways for buyers to search for new cars by make, by style, by price, by location, and more.
Each new car listing has information provided by the selling dealer, including vehicle identification number (VIN) and often the dealer stock number.
What you will see on a new car listing on Autotrader:
• “Vehicle Features” is a chart with exterior, interior, safety, mechanical, technology, and other features of the car.
• Images of the vehicle.
• Seller comments which include the features the dealer things you should be aware of.
• A description of the car, with links to Features and Specifications and a section detailing the original new car warranty.
• Pricing Details provided by Kelley Blue Book.
Help with Pricing
Autotrader displays the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor, which includes the Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Range. After you click on a car for sale you’re interested in, the Fair Market Range appears near the bottom of the page, below the warranty information, This feature shows the actual selling price for the vehicle you’re shopping for in your area, which may be distinct from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) or the seller’s asking price. The KBB Fair Market Range for new cars is updated weekly and does not include taxes, title, fees nor any available offers from the manufacturer or dealer.
Contacting a Seller through Autotrader
Autotrader offers four ways to contact the listing dealer to begin a transaction.
- You can send a message to confirm the availability of the car you are interested in purchasing.
- You can initiate an online chat session with a representative from the dealership.
- You can click on a button that will take you directly to the dealer’s website.
- You can fill out a brief form to send an email to the dealer expressing your interest and provide contact information so the dealer can follow up with you.
Used Cars
Autotrader features used car listings from dealers and private parties.
Certified Pre-Owned
Some of the used vehicles listed are Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars. CPO programs are run by the auto manufacturers and are almost exclusively available at authorized dealerships for each individual brand. CPO cars are low mileage, used cars that are fully inspected and backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
Search Options and Data Available
Autotrader provides several ways for buyers to search for used cars by year, by make, by price, by style, by location, car color, fuel economy, and more.
A key difference between used and new car listings is that used car listings include the ability to filter by vehicle history (No Accidents; Single Owner) and mileage; these are important factors when considering a used car purchase. Many listings include a link to a free CARFAX report, a great source of information about the history of a used car.
Each listing includes comments from the seller, a table of vehicle features, and general model information about the vehicle from the Autotrader archives (when available). Information about the original warranty is provided, along with the Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Range from the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor.
As on new car listings, the Autotrader used car listings offer four ways to contact the listing dealer — Email, chat, form, and website – as well as good old-fashioned phone, if available.
Recreational Vehicles, Classic Cars, and Motorcycles
In addition to new and used car listings, Autotrader also features listings for recreational vehicles (RVs), classic cars, and motorcycles. Listings from private parties and dealers alike are searchable by make, model, year, price, mileage, and location.
Autotrader Listings for Sellers
Listing Prices and Advantages
Autotrader listings for private party sellers start at $25 for Basic, $50 for Featured, and $90 for Premium. A great benefit of Autotrader listings is the simultaneous posting of a Kelley Blue Book listing – all for the same price.
Sellers always have access to a counter to track ad activity, so they know how many shoppers have searched for their car or viewed its details.
Each listing includes the ability to display photos
• Three with Basic
• Twenty with Featured
• Thirty with Premium
• Option to add an additional 10 photos to any package for $20.
Seller Options
• Sellers can choose to include a Vehicle History Report; this is $15 with a Basic or Featured listing but is included with Premium.
• Sellers can upgrade to Spotlight Ad status, rotating at the top of the search results page on a regular basis for nearly 50% greater visibility; this is $15 with Basic or Featured and included with Premium.
• The Supercharger option makes an ad the most prominent listing in a shopper’s search results, adding page views, visibility, and more opportunities for interested shoppers to discover your listing; this is $10 with Basic or Featured, and is included with Premium.
The Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer
Even with the ease and effectiveness of Autotrader ads, sellers might choose to participate in the Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, which makes it easy and convenient to get a cash or trade-in offer from Kelley Blue Book at participating dealers. This program can save time, instantly selling a car to a participating dealer. It can eliminate the risk of fraud, scams, and compromising personal safety that can arise when completing a private party transaction.
CarGurus Listings for Buyers
Like Autotrader, CarGurus features listings from dealers and private party sellers.
Rather than use the Kelley Blue Book price, CarGurus uses a proprietary formula to categorize each listing based on its “deal”: Great Deal, Good Deal, Fair Deal, High Price, or Overpriced. To arrive at this “deal” status, CarGurus compares price, vehicle data, and dealer reviews.
Search results are presented in “deal” order, with “Great Deals” from top-rated dealers at the top. Dealer ratings are based on feedback from CarGurus shoppers.
CarGurus Listings for Sellers
CarGurus listings run for 30 days for $4.95. If the car is in CarGurus’ database, the site’s tools can provide automated assistance in setting a price. A Photo Wizard tool is provided to help sellers photograph their vehicle and any special features that will help attract buyer interest.
Private party transactions can use CarGurus Pay, a secure online payment service where CarGurus acts as an intermediary to verify funds, generate a bill of sale, and transfer money from the buyer’s bank account to the seller’s account.
CarGurus Pay is included in the ad listing price. The service is strongly recommended by CarGurus, but not required – sellers may still conduct direct cash or check transactions with buyers if they so choose.
CarGurus allows sellers to limit potential customers to “vetted buyers,” a buyer who “successfully uploads an ID that, using third-party tools, is found to be currently valid and legitimate.”
