
The best places to find cars online are a combination of large national marketplaces, manufacturer websites, and local dealer inventories. For the widest selection, start with major third-party sites like Cars.com, Autotrader, and CarGurus. These aggregator sites compile listings from both private sellers and dealerships, giving you a broad view of the market. If you're looking for a specific new model, going directly to a brand's official website (e.g., Ford.com, Toyota.com) is the most reliable way to see local inventory and current incentives. For used cars, CarMax and Carvana offer a streamlined, no-haggle purchasing experience with vehicle history reports.
Your choice depends heavily on your priorities: selection, price transparency, or a specific buying experience. The table below compares the key features of the most popular platforms.
| Platform | Primary Focus | Key Feature | Approximate Inventory (Listings) | Typical User Traffic (Monthly Visits) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars.com | New & Used (Dealers) | Dealer reviews, comparison tools | ~4.5 Million | ~20 Million |
| Autotrader | New & Used (Dealers) | Advanced search filters | ~3 Million | ~15 Million |
| CarGurus | Used (Dealers & Private) | Instant market value analysis | ~5 Million | ~25 Million |
| CarMax | Used (Company-owned) | No-haggle pricing, nationwide transfer | ~50,000+ | ~30 Million |
| Carvana | Used (Online-only) | Home delivery, 7-day return policy | ~30,000+ | ~40 Million |
| Facebook Marketplace | Used (Private) | Hyper-local, direct seller contact | Varies widely | N/A (Platform feature) |
| TrueCar | New & Used (Dealers) | Upfront pricing from certified dealers | Varies by dealer network | ~10 Million |
Beyond these, don't overlook Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for deals from private sellers, though they require more diligence to avoid scams. Always cross-reference prices and get a vehicle history report from a service like Carfax or AutoCheck before making any serious commitment.

I stick to CarGurus and Cars.com. They show me everything available in my area from both dealers and private sellers at once. The filters are key—I can set my exact budget, mileage, and must-have features like a backup camera. I completely skip the hassle of driving from one small lot to another. A quick search from my couch usually gives me a solid list of five or six cars to go see in person.

If you want a new car, build it on the manufacturer's website first. You pick the exact color and options, then see the real MSRP. The site will then locate that specific build at dealers near you. This stops salespeople from trying to upsell you on a model with features you don't need. It puts you in control with the official pricing before you even step on the lot.


