Top 5 Car-Buying Apps

Technology has changed the way we shop—including the way we shop for cars. Now, instead of walking around various local lots, customers can pull out their phone to find the best deals online within minutes. They may not even purchase a vehicle locally. These days, traveling to another area to buy a car or having it shipped to you are within the realm of possibility.
 

But with so many options, it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge. Once you have a dollar amount in mind, begin your search. Try this handy car payment calculator to see exactly how much you can afford. Decide if you’re looking for a specific make and model or if you’re interested in a variety of vehicle types. When you’re ready, here are five apps to help you find the car of your dreams:
 

CarGurus 
CarGurus sets itself apart by ranking listings based on the reputation of the dealer, as well as the market value of the vehicle being sold. The site also includes vehicle reviews by actual users and rankings based on user ratings. Since users can also rate various dealerships, you’ll get honest opinions before you visit the car lot. Get the app for Apple or Android.
 

TrueCar
Price haggling can be one of the most grueling steps in purchasing a vehicle. TrueCar helps you by offering a price-check tool with market pricing for new cars, as well as price comparisons for your own area. One issue with TrueCar is that it can prompt local dealers to call and email users, so you may want to get your spam filters ready. Get the app for Apple or Android.
 

CarMax
Unlike the other apps, the CarMax platform serves as a supplement to its network of nearly 200 dealerships nationwide. Use their app to search CarMax lots in your own area or across the country. If you find a used car in another area, the company can transfer it for a small fee. If you prefer to shop at the dealership, use the scan barcodes feature on car windows to get more information about the vehicles. Get the app for Apple or Android.
 

Cars.com
If you’re in the market for a new car, Cars.com is a great place to start. If you’re undecided, this app has a side-by-side comparison to tell you what you’ll get by buying new versus used. Research each vehicle type by reading reviews from experts as well as users who have owned one. Get the app for Apple or Android.
 

Autotrader
One of the biggest benefits of using Autotrader is its “My Autotrader” feature, which lets members save favorite vehicles and get alerts when similar vehicles go on sale. You’ll be able to search new, used and certified pre-owned vehicles in your area to make it easy to buy when you find one you like. Get the app for Apple or Android.
 

Once you’re ready to buy, it’s a great idea to get prequalified for a vehicle loan at a credit union. This way, you’ll know exactly how much you can spend and what your payments will be. Mountain America Credit Union has terrific car loan interest rates. Plus, you can apply online!