You can find all the answers you'll need for your next car purchase on the Internet. Here are some of the best and most popular sites out there. And we've included some of the biggest retail sites, for after you've kicked enough virtual tires.
Reliability and Safety
Carfax. This site offers a free "lemon check" (and powers the same tool for several other auto sites), but it makes its money selling detailed title histories for $40. (You can check up on more than one car for $50.) By entering the car's vehicle identification number, Carfax can tell you if the car was ever titled as salvage, was rebuilt or reconstructed, was flood-damaged or had its odometer rolled back.
See Our Special Report: Car Rankings
Consumer Reports. This periodical provides reliability histories on used cars based on surveys of thousands of car owners. The survey results are published each April in the magazine and are available with an online subscription ($20 a year for magazine subscribers, $30 otherwise).
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check recall histories, consumer complaints, defect investigations, crash-test results and more.
Pricing Information
Kelley Blue Book. From the publication synonymous with car values, this site also offers a buy/sell section and reviews. You can also find five-year ownership costs, including depreciation, fuel, maintenance and repairs.
Edmunds.com. This company brings more than 40 years of automotive consumer writing and rating experience to the Web, offering a ton of great information. In addition to pricing guidance, Edmunds offers a buying program through dealer partners, guaranteeing prices on specific models in their inventory.
TrueCar. A recent addition to the automotive data space, TrueCar focuses on making car pricing more transparent. You’ll find transaction costs in your area, incentives and more. The site also offers no-haggle prices through dealer partners.
LeaseCompare.com. The site lists compare lease and loan offers from top national banks. You can also use the company's leasing service or simply learn more about leasing.
Financing Information
Bankrate.com. Find the latest and lowest new- and used-car loan rates in your area and use the site’s calculators for auto loan payments, buying v. leasing and more.
When You're Ready to Buy
AutoTrader.com.For sale by owner as well as dealership listings.
Cars.com. Nationwide listings for private party sales and dealers.
eBay Motors. Bypass the pressure of the sales floor and bid online.
-
Thanksgiving 2024: How Grocery Taxes Impact Your Holiday Food BudgetFood Prices Some families are navigating high food prices influencing what’s on the table this Thanksgiving.
-
9 Year-End Money Moves to Make NowBoost your retirement savings, lower your taxes and get the most out of your health insurance.
-
Will lower mortgage rates bring relief to the housing market?The Kiplinger Letter As mortgage rates slowly come down here's what to expect in the housing market over the next year or so.
-
Car Prices Are Finally Coming DownThe Kiplinger Letter For the first time in years, it may be possible to snag a good deal on a new car.
-
New Graduates Navigate a Challenging Labor MarketThe Kiplinger Letter Things are getting tough for new graduates. Job offers are drying up and the jobless rate is increasing. Are internships the answer?
-
When's the Best Time to Buy a Domestic Flight? The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter A new study by CheapAir.com has crunched the numbers.
-
Woes Continue for Banking Sector: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Regional bank stocks were hammered recently after news of New York Community Bank’s big fourth-quarter loss.
-
Anxious Flyers Take Note: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Whether it's the routes to avoid that have the most turbulence or the safest airline, we've got you covered.
-
The Auto Industry Outlook for 2024The Kiplinger Letter Here's what to expect in the auto industry this year. If you’re in the market for a car it won’t be quite as daunting as it was during the pandemic and after.
-
Two More Travel Trends for 2024: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter As the world gets moving again, two more travel trends to consider: Solo cruising and airline passengers with loaded guns.
