CarGurus is an online automotive marketplace that helps people find the best car deals from local dealerships and private sellers. It was founded in 2006 by Langley Steinert, the co-founder of TripAdvisor, and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company’s mission is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make confident and informed car-buying decisions.
CarGurus uses a proprietary algorithm that takes into account the car’s history, mileage, condition, and other factors to calculate a “Fair Price” for each vehicle listed on the site. This helps buyers compare prices and make sure they’re getting a good deal. The platform also allows users to read reviews from other users, view detailed vehicle specifications and features, and contact sellers directly.
CarGurus also offers tools for dealerships to list and manage their inventory, as well as for buyers to connect with sellers. The company has grown rapidly since its launch, and today it is one of the most popular online automotive marketplaces, with millions of users visiting the site every month.
Table of Contents
How CarGurus helps buyers find the best car deals
CarGurus helps buyers find the best car deals by using a proprietary algorithm to calculate a “Fair Price” for each vehicle listed on the site. This “Fair Price” takes into account the car’s history, mileage, condition, and other factors to provide buyers with an estimate of what a fair market price for that vehicle should be. This helps buyers compare prices and make sure they’re getting a good deal.
In addition to the “Fair Price” feature, CarGurus also offers a variety of other tools and features to help buyers find the best car deals. These include:
- Search filters: Buyers can use a variety of search filters to narrow down their search results, such as make, model, year, price, and location.
- Reviews and ratings: Buyers can read reviews and ratings from other users to get a sense of the quality of the cars and the dealerships they’re considering.
- Detailed vehicle information: CarGurus provides detailed information on each vehicle, including specifications and features, to help buyers make informed decisions.
- Contact sellers: Buyers can contact sellers directly through the CarGurus platform to ask questions, request additional information, or schedule a test drive.
Overall, CarGurus helps buyers find the best car deals by providing them with the information and tools they need to make confident and informed decisions.
Features and tools available on the CarGurus website and app
The CarGurus website and app offer a variety of features and tools to help buyers find the best car deals, and for dealerships to list and manage their inventory. Some of the key features and tools available include:
- Fair Price: CarGurus uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate a “Fair Price” for each vehicle listed on the site, taking into account the car’s history, mileage, condition, and other factors to help buyers compare prices and make sure they’re getting a good deal.
- Search filters: Buyers can use a variety of search filters to narrow down their search results, such as make, model, year, price, and location.
- Reviews and ratings: Buyers can read reviews and ratings from other users to get a sense of the quality of the cars and the dealerships they’re considering.
- Detailed vehicle information: CarGurus provides detailed information on each vehicle, including specifications and features, to help buyers make informed decisions.
- Contact sellers: Buyers can contact sellers directly through the CarGurus platform to ask questions, request additional information, or schedule a test drive.
- Dealer management tools: CarGurus offers a variety of tools for dealerships to list and manage their inventory, including the ability to add and update listings, track leads and sales, and access analytics and performance metrics.
- CarGurus Instant Market Value (IMV): CarGurus IMV is a free tool that helps sellers determine a fair price for their vehicle based on current market trends and comparable sales data.
- CarGurus Instant Trade-In (ITI): CarGurus ITI is a tool that allows a seller to get an estimate on what their trade-in vehicle is worth by providing the vehicle information, and a local dealership can make an offer
- CarGurus app: The CarGurus app allows users to access the site’s features and tools on their mobile devices, including the ability to search for cars, read reviews, and contact sellers.
Overall, CarGurus provides a wide range of features and tools to help buyers and sellers navigate the car-buying and -selling process.
How CarGurus helps dealerships list and manage their inventory
CarGurus helps dealerships list and manage their inventory by providing a variety of tools and features specifically designed for this purpose. These include:
- Inventory management: Dealerships can easily add and update their inventory listings on CarGurus, including details such as make, model, year, price, and vehicle specifications.
- Lead tracking: CarGurus allows dealerships to track leads and sales generated through the platform, including the ability to view and respond to customer inquiries.
- Analytics and performance metrics: CarGurus provides dealerships with detailed analytics and performance metrics, including information on website traffic, lead generation, and sales conversion rates.
- Advertising and marketing: CarGurus offers various advertising options for dealerships, including sponsored listings, display ads, and email campaigns, to help them reach more customers and increase their visibility on the platform.
- CarGurus Instant Market Value (IMV): CarGurus IMV is a free tool that helps sellers determine a fair price for their vehicle based on current market trends and comparable sales data.
- CarGurus Instant Trade-In (ITI): CarGurus ITI is a tool that allows a dealership to get an estimate on what a trade-in vehicle is worth by providing the vehicle information, and can make an offer
Overall, CarGurus helps dealerships list and manage their inventory by providing them with the tools they need to efficiently market their vehicles to potential buyers and track the performance of their listings. This allows them to make data-driven decisions and increase their sales conversion rate.
The role of user reviews and ratings on CarGurus
User reviews and ratings play an important role in CarGurus as they provide valuable information for buyers to make informed decisions. CarGurus allows users to leave reviews and ratings on both cars and dealerships, and these reviews are prominently displayed on the site to help buyers make more informed decisions.
CarGurus user reviews and ratings provide a way for buyers to learn about the quality of cars and dealerships from the perspective of other buyers. This includes information such as the condition of the car, the quality of the dealership’s customer service, and the overall buying experience.
Additionally, CarGurus uses a star rating system, which allows buyers to quickly and easily evaluate the overall quality of a dealership or a car. This system is based on the average rating of the dealership or the car, which is calculated from the reviews provided by users.
User reviews and ratings also play an important role for dealerships by providing them with valuable feedback on the customer’s experience and allowing them to improve their service. This can help them increase their reputation and attract more customers.
Overall, user reviews and ratings on CarGurus provide valuable information for buyers, as well as feedback for dealerships, and they play an important role in helping buyers make confident and informed decisions.
The impact of CarGurus on the automotive industry
CarGurus has had a significant impact on the automotive industry since its launch in 2006.
One of the main ways CarGurus has impacted the industry is by providing a platform for buyers and sellers to connect more easily and efficiently. By providing detailed information on cars and dealerships, as well as the ability to search, compare prices, and read reviews, CarGurus has made it easier for buyers to find the cars they want and get a good deal.
CarGurus has also helped to increase transparency in the car-buying process by providing a “Fair Price” feature, which gives buyers an estimate of what a fair market price for a vehicle should be. This helps buyers compare prices and make sure they’re getting a good deal.
CarGurus has also had a positive impact on the automotive industry by providing dealerships with tools to list and manage their inventory, as well as for tracking leads and sales. This has enabled dealerships to reach more customers and increase their sales conversion rate.
Furthermore, CarGurus has played a role in the industry by providing user reviews and ratings, which give buyers valuable information about cars and dealerships from the perspective of other buyers. This has helped to increase transparency and trust in the car-buying process.
Overall, CarGurus has had a significant impact on the automotive industry by making it easier for buyers and sellers to connect, increasing transparency in the car-buying process, and providing valuable information and tools for dealerships.
Conclusion and future plans for CarGurus
In conclusion, CarGurus is an innovative and valuable resource for buyers and sellers in the automotive industry. The company’s mission is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make confident and informed car-buying decisions. By providing a platform for buyers and sellers to connect, a “Fair Price” feature, user reviews and ratings, and inventory management tools for dealerships, CarGurus has made the car-buying process more efficient and transparent.
As for the future plans of CarGurus, the company continues to evolve and expand its product offerings and technology to enhance the car buying and selling experience. CarGurus is focusing on increasing its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to provide more personalized recommendations and better match buyers with the right cars and dealerships. Additionally, CarGurus is expanding its services to include financing options, as well as car maintenance and repair services, to further assist its customers throughout the entire car ownership journey.
CarGurus is also exploring international expansion opportunities to expand its reach and bring its services to more car buyers and sellers around the world. With its innovative approach to the automotive industry, CarGurus is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the future.
Additional Resources
Additional resources for CarGurus include:
The CarGurus Blog provides helpful tips and advice for car buyers and sellers, as well as industry news and insights.
The CarGurus YouTube channel offers video reviews of cars, as well as tips and tutorials on how to use the CarGurus platform.
The CarGurus Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages provide updates on new features and promotions, as well as user-generated content and customer testimonials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does CarGurus calculate the “Fair Price” for a vehicle?
CarGurus uses a proprietary algorithm that takes into account the car’s history, mileage, condition, and other factors to calculate a “Fair Price” for each vehicle listed on the site.
Can I trust the user reviews and ratings on CarGurus?
CarGurus takes steps to verify the authenticity of user reviews and ratings and encourages users to report any suspicious or fake reviews. However, as with any user-generated content, it’s always a good idea to read multiple reviews from different sources before making a decision.
How do I list my car for sale on CarGurus?
You can list your car for sale on CarGurus by visiting the site and clicking on the “Sell My Car” button. You will then be prompted to enter your car’s information, including make, model, year, and mileage, as well as upload photos and set a price.
How do I contact a seller on CarGurus?
You can contact a seller on CarGurus by clicking on the “Contact Seller” button on the listing page. This will open a form where you can enter your contact information and message, which will then be sent to the seller.
Is CarGurus available internationally?
Currently, CarGurus is available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, the company is exploring international expansion opportunities to bring its services to more car buyers and sellers around the world.