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Autotrader VS Carvana

Compare Autotrader VS Carvana and see what are their differences

Autotrader logo Autotrader

Find used cars for sale at AutoTrader.com. With over 3.

Carvana logo Carvana

Used Cars For Sale, Buy Online, Free Delivery
  • Autotrader Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30
  • Carvana Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10

Autotrader features and specs

  • Wide Selection
    Autotrader offers a vast inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars from both dealerships and private sellers, providing extensive options for buyers.
  • Advanced Search Filters
    The platform provides numerous filters, such as make, model, price range, and features, allowing users to efficiently narrow down their search to find the perfect vehicle.
  • Vehicle History Reports
    Some listings on Autotrader include free access to vehicle history reports, offering potential buyers critical information on past accidents, maintenance, and title issues.
  • Comprehensive Listing Details
    Each vehicle listing typically contains detailed information, including specifications, photos, and seller contact information, giving users a complete view of the car.
  • Expert Reviews and Articles
    Autotrader provides expert reviews, buying guides, and automotive news, helping consumers make informed decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Autotrader

  • Price Comparisons
    Although Autotrader offers many filters, it lacks direct price comparison tools to quickly compare the pricing of similar vehicles across different listings.
  • Advertisement Overload
    The website can sometimes be cluttered with ads, which can be distracting and negatively impact the user experience.
  • Dealer Fees Not Always Transparent
    While some listings provide a breakdown of costs, not all include detailed information on additional dealer fees, which could lead to unexpected expenses during purchase.
  • Variable Listing Quality
    The quality of listings can vary significantly, as some might lack important details or photos, making it challenging for buyers to evaluate the car's condition.
  • Subscription Fees for Sellers
    Private sellers have to pay subscription fees to list their vehicles, which might be a deterrent for some individual sellers leading to potentially fewer private listings.

Carvana features and specs

  • Convenience
    Carvana offers a fully online car-buying experience, allowing customers to browse, finance, and purchase vehicles from the comfort of their homes.
  • Wide Selection
    Carvana provides access to a wide range of vehicles, from various makes and models, all in one place.
  • Home Delivery
    Carvana delivers the car directly to the customer's doorstep, eliminating the need to visit a traditional dealership.
  • 7-Day Return Policy
    Carvana offers a 7-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to return the vehicle if it doesn't meet their expectations.
  • Transparent Pricing
    Carvana provides upfront pricing with no hidden fees, allowing customers to see the total cost of the vehicle, including taxes and related fees.
  • Detailed Vehicle Inspections
    Carvana provides detailed inspection reports and 360-degree images of the vehicles, helping customers make informed decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Carvana

  • Limited Negotiation
    Carvana's pricing is generally fixed, offering little room for negotiation or discounts compared to traditional dealerships.
  • No Test Drive Before Purchase
    Unlike traditional dealerships, Carvana does not allow for on-site test drives before purchasing a vehicle.
  • Delivery Fees
    Some customers may encounter delivery fees, which can add to the overall cost, especially if the delivery location is far from Carvana hubs.
  • Inventory Limitations
    Although Carvana offers a wide selection, it may not have specific models or configurations that a customer is looking for at any given time.
  • Technology Reliance
    The car-buying process relies heavily on technology, which may be an issue for less tech-savvy individuals or those without reliable internet access.
  • Customer Service Variability
    Some customers have reported inconsistent experiences with Carvana's customer service, which can impact the overall buying experience.

Autotrader videos

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Carvana videos

MY CARVANA EXPERIENCE | 2020 CARVANA REVIEW | LifeWithMC

More videos:

  • Review - My Carvana Buying Experience & Review!
  • Review - CARVANA EXPOSED!!! By Ex-Car Salesman | My Carvana Buying Experience & Review!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Autotrader and Carvana)
Classifieds Ads
81 81%
19% 19
Cars
80 80%
20% 20
Used Car Marketplace
85 85%
15% 15
Classifieds
79 79%
21% 21

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Autotrader should be more popular than Carvana. It has been mentiond 98 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Autotrader mentions (98)

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Carvana mentions (23)

  • How accurate kbb value for a 2023 sx-prestige x-pro is? (5k miles, still smells like new, fully loaded, no rear entertainment system) – not looking to sell, just want to track the value.
    I would check a few other sites (carvana.com, edmunds.com, allcars.com ) to compare what they say. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • New car
    I'll bite. Cars.com? carvana.com? I think figure out what car you wanna buy first, then ask for dealership recommendations, no? :-). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Lease vs buying for a short-term car
    For used buying, I picked a Toyota Corolla LE 2018 with 53k miles which is listed for $19k on carfax.com . I am assuming that this car OTD when I go and talk to the dealership will be $22k. Next, I plugged in the VIN of this car in carvana.com mentioned miles as 70k and got a quote. The offer was just under $12k. So the cost over 1.5 years is $10k, which works out to $555. Note that this doesn't include the... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Rav4 2022 prime. Was I ripped off?
    I don't know how long it'll take for this too cool down. It hasn't yet afaik (check carvana prices), but likely will with recession and covid wrapping up. 5-6 years ago you could get away with way below MSRP, but getting back to that may also take a while. You could also buy a used car for $500, but that doesn't seem to happen anymore. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Carvana $500 Referral Code on any purchase!
    This credit can be applied to your car purchase from Carvana.com! Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Autotrader and Carvana, you can also consider the following products

Cars.com - Visited by more than 11 million car shoppers each month, Cars.

AutoNation - AutoNation is largest U.S. retailer of new cars, trucks and SUVs.

AutoTempest - Everyone's ideal car is out there. Find yours.

TrueCar - Buying a car can be painful.

AutoScout24 - Used cars and new cars for sale on AutoScout24: The European marketplace for cars: 18 languages...

CarMax - Browse used cars and new cars online