Everything But The Road Test
Save time—car shop online.
Psst! Wanna buy a business car right there at your office? If
the dozens of auto sites on the Internet are to be believed, there
are thousands of cars to choose from to fit your company's
needs-sans the haggling.
Today's hassle-free automotive Web sites are so useful,
time-saving and easy to navigate, you can log on, browse, select a
vehicle, specify options, compare prices and rebates, and find
nearby dealers all in the space of several minutes. No trekking
around from showroom to showroom. Just let your fingers do the
clicking. Many sites, like MSN CarPoint.com and Ford.com, have cross-links to vehicle
manufacturers so you can window-shop in great detail and research
spec sheets before closing the deal. Some General Motors sites let
you load a car with options like PCs and other equipment so you can
see how it looks. GM estimates that 80 percent of its new vehicles
will be ordered online within a few years.
The most popular auto dotcoms are Autobytel.com and Edmunds.com. Some sites let you buy
cars online, while others direct you to local dealers. Be aware
that not all post their prices; most sites give you a referral to a
local dealer who promises to quote a price without the hassle of
negotiation. Here's a sampling of other auto sites:
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The Car
Connection provides lengthy new-car reviews, industry news
and buyer comments to help you make a decision.
CarFax reports on
trends and, if you're considering a used car, can research that
car's specific history.
CarsDirect.com can customize
your business car or van, finance it, insure it and arrange
delivery.
Computrucks.com sells medium
to heavy trucks to owner-operators and small-fleet owners.
Greenlight.com is one of a
number of sites that list top-selling cars and commercial
vehicles.
InvoiceDealers.com
configures your new car, then sends you instant bids from multiple
dealers.
Kelley Blue Book
offers a "Lemon Check" and a "Decision Guide"
to help you pick exactly the right vehicle for your business.
Jill Amadio has reported on the automotive industry for 23
years as an editor and consultant.