6 Carvana Alternatives to Consider

Though many people recognize Carvana, it’s not the only company to offer a marketplace for used vehicles. The list below includes several Carvana alternatives that provide a similar approach to purchasing a used car. If you plan on buying or selling a car, it’s worth it to consider these alternatives in your search for the best deal. 

1. Vroom

Founded recently in 2013, Vroom competes with Carvana in offering to buy, sell, or trade-in used vehicles. Vroom offers a 7-day, 250-mile money-back guarantee and a 90-day, 6,000-mile limited car warranty. You can also search listed vehicles by:

• Make
• Model
• Body type
• Price
• Mileage

However, Vroom listings don’t show an estimated monthly payment like Carvana’s. Nonetheless, Vroom offers more flexible payment options, including financing. In partnership with several lenders, Vroom doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement. If you seek financing elsewhere, Vroom requires a preapproval letter.

This Carvana alternative also requires a nonrefundable deposit to complete your purchase. Once you’ve made your purchase, Vroom will arrange transport. Vroom charges a $599 home delivery fee but does not deliver to Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, or Massachusetts. 

Most Vroom cars are priced between $11,500 and $100,000, so you can easily find a vehicle that fits your budget. Financed purchases come with gap insurance, but you can also purchase a vehicle service protection plan. These plans include up to 10 years or 120,000 miles of coverage for the powertrain and several other perks. 

Pros

• Generous limited warranty terms
• Buy, sell, or trade in used vehicles 
• More flexible payment options than Carvana 
• No minimum credit score requirements 
• Complimentary gap coverage and optional vehicle protection plans

Cons

• Listings lack estimated monthly payments 
• $599 home delivery fee
• Does not deliver to certain states
• Nonrefundable deposit

2. CarMax 

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, CarMax entered the car buying and selling market in 1993. With over 225 locations across the United States, it’s a prime contender against Carvana and its other alternatives. In addition to buying and selling used cars, CarMax also offers auto repair services. 

Like Carvana, CarMax partners with AutoCheck to offer customers a comprehensive vehicle history report. Most cars range from $10,000 to $150,000 in price. You can also use CarMax’s software to compare vehicles by history, features, and mileage. 

If you’re within 60 miles of select markets, CarMax will deliver your vehicle to your home for free. You can also pick your new car up curbside if you prefer. Any shipping costs incurred by your location are extra. 

So, can you negotiate with CarMax? The answer is no, as the online platform offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee and a 90-day or 4,000-mile limited warranty on its vehicle. Financing terms range from 36 to 72 months at interest rates between 2.95% and 25%, depending on your credit situation. 

You can use CarMax's Three-Day Payoff Program if you find a better loan deal after signing the paperwork. You can also opt for the MaxCare extended service plan, but you must select this during the signing. Choose between rolling it into your monthly payment or paying for it upfront. Remember that any deductibles listed are per visit, not per repair. 

Pros

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Wide selection of vehicles at varying prices
• Financing available 
• 90-day, 4,000-mile limited warranty
• Free home delivery within 60 miles

Cons

• Doesn’t accept credit cards for down payments
• Doesn’t negotiate deals
• Shipping costs are extra
• Cannot purchase MaxCare extended coverage after signing

3. Autotrader

Did you know that Autotrader has been around for almost 25 years? This new and used car marketplace is based out of Georgia. It also offers consumers a great resource when researching the car buying process. 

Though Autotrader began as a place to find vehicles for purchase, it has since expanded its reach. If you’re researching topis like if buying a luxury car is worth the cost or which compact SUV gets the best gas mileage, you might come across an Autotrader guide. 

Autotrader offers price estimates and reviews of new and used vehicles. You can also find comparison tools and shopping advice on this automotive website. However, unlike Carvana, Autotrader does not sell cars directly. Instead, it collects information on vehicles for sale across various websites and presents that information in one place. 

Pros

• An excellent resource for new and used cars for sale
• No fees or membership costs to view the marketplace results
• Comparison tools and shopping advice 
• Professional car reviews 
• Legitimate source for quality car buying leads

Cons

• Does not sell cars directly to consumers
• Listings may not be up to date 
• Requires you to contact dealer/seller for specifics and availability

4. CarGurus

Like Autotrader, CarGurus does not buy or sell cars directly to the consumer. However, it offers valuable information for buying or selling a car. You can also search for new and used vehicles through the online marketplace to find leads. 

CarGurus was founded in 2006 by the founder of TripAdvisor. Langley Steinert began CarGurus as a place where consumers could go if they wanted an honest review of a particular vehicle. Then, the website expanded to include used car listings within the area. Fast-forward a few more years, and the website hosts several new car listings. 

You can find CarGurus in several countries, from the United States and Canada to the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy. This online marketplace is a valuable resource for several hundred thousand members looking to research their purchase before signing on the dotted line. 

Pros

• Free to use
• Available in several countries, including Canada, Germany, UK, and Spain
• Offers various car buying and ownership advice through its blog
• Broad search tool for finding new and used cars available for purchase

Cons

• Only acts as an intermediary
• Does not buy or sell cars directly to consumers 
• Must contact dealer/seller to verify the listing information

5. Shift

This company is based in San Francisco and offers a similar direct-to-consumer car buying experience to Carvana. Shift even offers to purchase vehicles you currently lease or loan. It also provides a 7-day, 200-mile return policy if you change your mind. 

Shift offers cars for sale on its marketplace. You can search by make, model, price, and mileage. In addition, Shift provides a detailed inspection of each vehicle for your review. Like CarMax, Shift does not negotiate its prices. 

In addition to Shift’s return policy, this company also offers gap insurance and additional warranties for purchase. Shift receives high Trustpilot ratings from past customers, but several complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) platform can give you pause. 

One of the tricks car salesmen use is referred to as the bait-and-switch. However, most complaints about Shift on the BBB website cite issues with reaching customer service and resolving problems with purchased vehicles. This is something to remember as you look at Carvana alternatives because sometimes going with a proven company can save you a lot of hassle and headache. 

Pros

• Accepts vehicles with loans or leases
• Cars for sale include a detailed 150-point inspection 
• Nationwide search 
• Optional gap insurance and additional warranties 
• High Trustpilot ratings

Cons

• Not accredited by the BBB
• You’re responsible for delivery costs
• Cannot negotiate the price
• The car buying process can be lengthy

6. Cars.com 

Over 26 million people visit Cars.com each month. The site is user-friendly and offers consumers access to real car listings and advice they can use to find a car that suits their needs. You’ll find photo galleries and videos of vehicles available for purchase and reviews of the dealers selling these vehicles. 

Cars.com hosts over two million vehicles for sale at any given time. The inventory listings update in real-time, with about 50,000 added daily. However, because Cars.com relies on dealerships to provide information on its listings, it’s best to check with the dealer to confirm any specifics. 

If you want to know what questions to ask when buying a used car, Cars.com can help. This automotive website offers several valuable guides for users to compare prices, features, and read reviews from past and current owners. You can even compare models side-by-side to narrow your results and make a more informed decision. 

Pros

• Millions of listings to choose from
• Dealer reviews 
• Photo galleries and videos
• Side-by-side comparison tools
• Professional car buying guides and advice

Cons

• Acts as an intermediary between dealerships and consumers
• Listing information may not accurately reflect the vehicle’s actual condition 
• Can take time to view all the listings unless you narrow down your results