How to Buy or Sell a Car Online

The Web supplies a hassle-free way to reach lots of hungry shoppers for sellers. If you know exactly what new car you want, buying it online is as easy as pie.

Instructions

Buy a new car online

1

Follow Steps 1 through 3 in How to Buy a New Car.

2

Research various option packages and trim levels. Write down exactly what you're looking for and the price you're willing to pay.

3

Go to a secure, reliable Web site that sells cars online. Two examples are AutoByTel.com and CarsDirect.com. Select your desired make and model of car, or browse by price range.

4

Conduct the entire transaction online: Order the car via the site, perhaps pay the Web site's sales price without negotiating, and have it delivered to the nearest dealer in its network.

5

Initiate contact with a dealer to get the buying process started. After finding a local dealership online, work with the dealer in person to negotiate the deal and sign the paperwork.

6

Pick up your new car at a nearby dealership. Some dealerships will even deliver it to you.

Sell a used car online

7

Find a Web site that accepts online advertising. Newspaper, auto sales sites and local community sites all run ads for used cars.

8

Take some good digital pictures of your car.

9

Take advantage of online ads' ability to convey more facts about your car than print ads can, to reach more people and to feature multiple pictures of the car. To post your ad, sign up by entering your contact information and a description of your car, and pay a small fee (if required) with a credit card.

10

Post a Web page with a simple design and good-quality images of your car. Include any other details you weren't able to fit in your online ad (such as a scanned copy of the vehicle's history report). You might be able to link it to your ad.

11

Wait for the offers to roll in. (See How to Sell a Car.)