Six Must-Visit Websites for Researching Your New Car Purchase
If you’re shopping for a new car, you can’t just walk down to the nearest dealership without doing some – or a lot – of research first. Here are six excellent websites that will give you the tools and information you need to make the best purchase possible.
Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com is the most essential resource for any car buyer, and it contains a wealth of information that will help you make the best decision and get the best deal. You can read extensive, detailed car reviews and search for new and used cars for sale near you. You can also find all the current information on manufacturer rebates, as well as find out the invoice price of any car. It includes tools to help you calculate costs, and it has advice and articles on everything from leasing, selling, financing, maintenance, and just about anything else you might be interested in.
KBB.com
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) is the other most essential resource for car buyers. It will help you determine the value of any new or used vehicle. You can find car reviews, consumer and safety ratings, and KBB picks for the top cars on the market for fuel efficiency, families, and more. There are research tools such as calculators, car comparisons, rebate information, and very helpful and informative articles on car buying, leasing, and selling. Find out about new, used, or certified pre-owned cars, and browse listings of cars for sale in your area.
IIHS.org
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a private, nonprofit organization that performs vehicle safety tests and assigns rankings of good, acceptable, marginal, and poor. On their website, you can view detailed safety reports of any car you’re interested in. You can learn ratings, find out how they compare to similar vehicles, and read detailed reports of exactly what occurred in test crashes.
SafeCar.gov
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is run by the U.S. government, also conducts extensive safety testing on vehicles. On their website, you can access safety reports for all the vehicles they’ve tested. You can also find out which vehicles scored the best, receiving five-star ratings. This website also contains information on safety recalls, child seat safety, and other helpful resources for drivers and parents.
ConsumerReports.org
Consumer Reports has extensive information on any kind of car you’re interested in, including reviews on safety, performance, comfort, fuel economy, and more. In order to see full reviews and ratings, you need to purchase a subscription. It costs $30 per year or $6.95 per month, but it’s well worth it when you’re looking for a new car (you’ll also have full access to Consumer Reports, with other sections on appliances, electronics, baby products, and much more).
Cars.com
Cars.com is another good resource that will help you find a new or used car in your area. It will help you find exactly what you’re looking for and search for local deals and incentives. You can read reviews written by experts and consumers. It also has valuable car shopping and financing advice.
Jenna Ingram is an automobile professional and freelance writer who works in Nissan sales for a living. She loves to write about cars and how to best ensure you are getting a great deal.
Photo Credit: geoftheref