You can get new cars in GTA 5 through several primary methods: purchasing them from online websites via your in-game phone, stealing them from the streets or specific locations, winning them as prizes, or acquiring them as part of mission rewards. The most straightforward way for a "new" (meaning new to you) car is to buy it from Legendary Motorsport or Southern San Andreas Super Autos. For high-end sports cars and supercars, Legendary Motorsport is your go-to source.
Once you've purchased a car, it will be delivered to one of your owned garages. It's crucial to immediately install a Tracker and buy insurance from a Los Santos Customs shop. The tracker saves the car's location to your garage, and insurance replaces it for free if it's destroyed. Without these, your new purchase is permanently lost.
Stealing cars is a free alternative, but there are limitations. Standard street cars are easy to hotwire, but you cannot store high-end cars you find in the world; the game will prevent you from saving them in a garage to encourage purchasing. However, you can steal specific, non-high-end vehicles like the Karin Sultan or Bravado Gauntlet and fully customize them at Los Santos Customs. Some unique vehicles are also hidden at fixed spawn points around the map and can be kept once found.
| Method | Cost | Key Consideration | Best For |
|---|
| Online Websites (In-game) | High ($50,000 - $2,000,000+) | Requires in-game money; delivery to garage | High-end supercars, guaranteed ownership |
| Stealing from Streets | Free | Cannot save high-end models; must add tracker | Common sedans, muscle cars, motorcycles |
| Mission Rewards | Free | Often tied to story progression | Unique vehicles like the Elegy RH8 (free for players) |
| Hidden Spawn Locations | Free | Requires knowledge of specific map points | Collectors seeking rare models |
