Guides
Where are you in buying a car?
Pick your stage and read a handful of guides, in order. Or search for the exact thing the dealer just said. Read them, or listen wherever you see the speaker icon.
What should I buy, and what can I afford?
Read these 4, in order. That is enough to handle this stage well.
1How to Buy a Car, Step by Step: From Budget to Driving Home6 min2How Much Car Can You Afford? Budget by Total Monthly Cost6 min3New vs. Used vs. Certified Pre-Owned: Which Should You Buy?6 min4Car Loan Pre-Approval: Why to Get One and How to Do It6 min
APR and Car Loan Terms Explained, With the Math5 minBuying a Car With Bad Credit: A Practical Plan5 minCar Depreciation Explained: How to Estimate It Yourself6 minEV Range and Charging Basics: kW, kWh, Charging Levels and Cold Weather6 minEV Tax Credits and Incentives: What Is Left After the Federal Credits Ended6 minFirst-Time EV Buying Guide: The Questions That Decide It6 minFord Bronco Sport Buying Guide: Trims, Off-Road Packages and What to Check5 minFord Explorer Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Trim, Engine and Drivetrain5 minFord F-150 Buying Guide: Pick the Cab, Bed and Engine Before the Trim6 minHonda Civic Buying Guide: Sedan or Hatchback, Gas or Hybrid6 minHonda CR-V Buying Guide: Gas or Hybrid, and Which Trim to Pick6 minHow Many Miles Is Too Many on a Used Car?5 minHow Much Should You Put Down on a Car?5 minHow to Choose a Trim Level Without Overpaying for Features6 minHybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid vs EV: Which One Fits Your Driving6 minIs Certified Pre-Owned Worth It? CPO vs. Dealer Certified5 minLease vs. Buy: An Honest Way to Decide6 minNegative Equity: What to Do When You Owe More Than Your Car Is Worth6 minRam 1500 Buying Guide: Choosing the Cab, Bed, Engine and Trim6 minSell or Trade In Your Car? Private Sale vs. Instant Offer vs. Trade-In6 minThe Best Time to Buy a Car: What Timing Changes and What Is Myth5 minTitle Brands Explained: Clean, Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood and Lemon Buyback5 minTotal Cost of Ownership: What a Car Really Costs Per Year6 minToyota Camry Buying Guide: Choosing a Grade, AWD or Not, and New vs Used5 minToyota RAV4 Buying Guide: Hybrid or Plug-In, Which Grade, and New or Used6 minToyota Tacoma Buying Guide: Picking the Cab, Bed, Powertrain and Off-Road Grade6 minVehicle History Reports Explained: What They Show and What They Miss5 min
How do I find the right car and check it?
Read these 4, in order. That is enough to handle this stage well.
1How to Read a Dealer Listing: Fine Print, VINs, and Price History6 min2MSRP, Invoice, and Market Price: Which Number Matters6 min3Used Car Inspection Checklist: What to Check on the Lot6 min4How to Test Drive a Car: A 30-Minute Plan6 min
Buying a Car Out of State: Taxes, Tags, Emissions and Getting It Home6 minBuying a Used Car From a Private Seller vs. a Dealer6 minCar Insurance Before You Buy: Get Quotes by VIN First6 minCar Rebates and Incentives Explained: Cash, Special APR, and Stacking6 minDealer Financing vs. Bank vs. Credit Union: Where to Get a Car Loan6 minHow to Check for Recalls Before You Buy a Car5 minHow to Spot Flood and Accident Damage on a Used Car6 minOrdering a New Car From the Factory: How It Works and What to Ask6 minPre-Purchase Inspection: How to Get a Used Car Checked Before You Buy5 minThe Window Sticker (Monroney Label) Explained, Section by Section6 minUsed EV Battery Health: How to Check It Before You Buy6 min
How do I get a fair, written price?
Read these 4, in order. That is enough to handle this stage well.
What am I signing, and what can I refuse?
Read these 4, in order. That is enough to handle this stage well.
What happens after I drive off?
Read this one, in order. That is enough to handle this stage well.
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Concierge
Rather not do this part yourself?
Tell us the car you want. A person finds it, checks it, negotiates the out-the-door price in writing, and lines up the paperwork. You approve every step.