Buying a new car isn't just picking out a car, paying for it, and then driving it home. Well, it could be, but we don't recommend it. Even though FFUN Cars makes it pretty darn easy to purchase a new to you, used car, there are a few things you should do before committing to your next new vehicle. Whether you are purchasing a new pair of shoes, makeup, or really anything else, most people look at reviews. Since the internet age, review sites have grown in popularity and have become a partner in consumer buyers' journeys. Review sites are particularly important when investing in a new or used car. Before we venture down the path of what we think are some of the most trustworthy car review sites, we want to make it known that car reviews and consumer reports can't replace a test drive or a full pre-purchase inspection, especially on used cars. Yes, research vehicles and look at reviews, but ultimately, you need to find the best car for you and your needs.
Top Review Sites You Can Trust
If you want information and reviews, where do you go? The internet, always! We understand that everyone has their top choices for online review sites, but what about car review sites? It's great to see what fellow consumers think of everyday products, such as makeup or shoes, but we think everyone should turn to experts in the industry when it comes to vehicles and review sites.
Car & Driver
There is something to be said about years in the automotive industry and with that said, Car and Driver has been around for 65 years providing reviews and content around vehicles. If you are going to read reviews, this is one to check out. Their content is incredibly detailed and includes professional photography, articles, and multiple stat comparisons on car research. In addition, depending on what you are looking for in body style, i.e., SUV, sedan, etc., Car and Driver have Editor's Choice Awards where they compare every major vehicle that came out in its class and provides rankings for each.
MotorTrend
Time and time again, MotorTrend is voted one of the most reliable car reviews sites. It was initially founded as a magazine in 1949 and is notable for establishing the Car of the Year award. One of the greatest features of MotorTrend is the quality discussions and reviews on vehicles. They provide excellent tips for buyers when it comes to purchasing a new car or a used car.
Consumer Reports
Okay, you got us; this isn't a review site specializing in auto; it makes our list because it provides unbiased reviews. With it being a non-profit organization, the opinions are not influenced by any side, and therefore car buyers can get perspective from non-automotive specialists. As a member of Consumer Reports, you get some benefits, including bonus savings on new car purchases and discounted CARFAX reports.
J.D. Power
J.D. Power, another site that has been around through the ages, provides reliable consumer reviews based on actual owners' opinions. They have a rigorous review process and work with about 800 professional analysts globally. They are known as one of the best providers of reviews you can use during your car buying process. Using high-end technology and data analytics, they are ranked one of the best.
DealerRater
There is no shortage of finding online car reviews for all the vehicles out there, and above, we listed a few of the top. However, buying a car is more than just the car itself, albeit one of the most important. The experience you go through and the dealership you deal with can influence your opinion on the car buying process. DealerRater is the first (and largest) online review site exclusively for rating dealerships. With over 7 million consumer reviews, 34 million consumers are exposed to this site and can offer great insight to individual car dealerships throughout Canada and the USA. Yes, look at the ratings of the vehicle from a mechanical standpoint, but don't forget about who you might be dealing with when it comes to purchasing your new or used car.
Tread Carefully With Personal Review Sites
To start, we understand the value there is from review sites where people post about their experiences, such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp. There is always a use for knowing other people's opinions of an experience or item. Taking things into consideration, tread carefully as these reviews are based on people's experience over reliability. For example, if the Car of the Year voted in by MotorTrend was a BMW model one year, it's fair to say it's a pretty amazing car; however, based on someone's experience with the dealership, they may not write a review that supports that.
Google is the most popular online review platform, where a whopping 59% of consumers use it to read reviews. To top that off, 54.7% read at least four reviews before buying a product. Google has invested many of its assets in establishing a reputable and reliable website as a search engine and a review site. Combine Google reviews with a site like DealerRater, and you can usually gauge how your experience at the dealership will be. Many consumers who are writing these reviews know a lot about vehicles, and therefore their opinions have some validity. But, we still advise you to tread carefully as not everyone who writes a review is an expert, so do your complete research on all sites that cover mechanical ratings and read the sites that offer personalized experiences. There's also another way to buy a car. It's us, FFUN Cars, where you have the option of buying your car online, in-store, or a combination of the two. Not to mention, you can also get approved for financing online without impacting your credit, and it only takes two minutes. Every vehicle at FFUN Cars comes with a 92-point inspection and CARFAX report. Plus, it's super easy and enjoyable to shop for vehicles, complete the transaction, have the car delivered to your door (or you can pick it up) and enjoy a 24-hour test drive. You're already doing your online research, why not put all the pieces together and start your car shopping now.
