· Canada
· New Cars
· Used Cars
Online Buying Sites
Online Buying Sites Scorecard
Classifieds
Classifieds Scorecard
Dealer Locators
Brokers

· Auto Research
· Auto Services
· Accessories

 

| HOME | CANADA | USED CAR ONLINE BUYING SITES |

Canada Used Car Online Buying Sites

Can you really buy a used car online? See below.

canada.com Autos/Cars - New/Used Car Classifieds and Reviews
http://driving.canada.com/buy/used/powersearch.spy

A good search tool that allows you to quickly find vehicles listed for sale anywhere in Canada. I have a few minor complaints about the way results are displayed but the display is generally good as is the manipulation of the results. Details on individual vehicles are good and contacting the seller is quick and easy.

Pros:
The so-called 'power search' allows you to detail what you are looking for very specifically and search within 25-200 kilometres from your postal code. The resulting list can be re-sorted by price, vehicle age, vehicle mileage, make and model (all these criteria in both ascending or descending order). A very cool feature is the 'slider'' just above the 'Send to a friend' link. This slider allows you to increase or decrease your search radius on the fly thus seeing fewer or more vehicles. Another neat feature is the ability to send selected listings to a friend as well as saving them to a clipboard. Very cool.

Details on individual vehicles are okay and there is some good additional information available within the detail screen(such as a link to full factory specs and a finance calculator). Contacting the seller is easy.

Cons:
I would like to see the ability to sort results in terms of distance from your postal code included. VIN is not featured on the details screen and if you want more information on the vehicle your personal information is not collected on a secure form.

How to:

• Search for a used vehicle online
  Specify your vehicle criteria, input your location details and click on Search.
  
  

autonet.ca - New Used Cars Pickup SUV
http://www.autonet.ca/

Get started by clicking on your province or territory. Then click on the Used Vehicles link in the left hand column.

The search tool is a good one and allows you to search quickly and efficiently. However the way results are displayed and manipulation of those results is quite poor. Details on individual vehicles are somewhat skimpy but contacting the seller is simple and fairly non-intrusive.

Pros:
The search tool is basic but adequate. Search results can be re-sorted by year, make and model, mileage and price. To contact the seller simply fill out the form on the details page for a vehicle.

Cons:
The displayed results do not show a vehicle's location and do not allow you to re-sort vehicles by distance from your location which seems just plain dumb. There could be more information on the details page (including the VIN, which is missing) and the form where you submit your personal details is not secure.

How to:

• Search for a used vehicle online
  Get started by clicking on your province or territory. Then click on the Used Vehicles link in the left hand column.
  
  Indicate the vehicle characteristics you are interested in and input your search location criteria (either province or distance from your postal code) and click on the Search button.
  
  

Welcome to BMW Canada
http://www.bmw.ca/english/index.html

On the main page click on the Pre-Owned Vehicles link in the menu bar across the top of the page.

This site is an excellent way to look for used BMWs online at dealerships across Canada. The search is well designed, results can be manipulated easily and contacting the seller is easy.

Pros:
The search tool allows you to specify lots of search criteria and - more importantly - allows you to search within a certain distance of your postal code. Search results can be re-sorted and details on individual vehicles are quite good. Contacting a retailer is done with a click of the mouse and submitting a few details. You can also email cars you have found to a friend or see a specific dealer's full inventory.

A cool feature is the 'Inventory Monitor' which allows you to specify the characteristics of the used BMW you are looking for and be notified if a matching vehicle is entered in to the BMW pre-owned inventory nationwide.

Cons:
Of course this site is only for BMWs and only those on dealers' lots - it will not allow you to find BMWs for sale from private sellers. The form where you put your personal details is not secure and details on individual vehicles do not include the VIN.

How to:

• Search for a used vehicle online
  Input your model choice(s), select other characteristics (mileage range, transmission type) and choose your location details (province, specific retailer or distance from postal code). Click on the Search link in the lower left hand corner of the page.
  
  

SEARCH the Web:

· News
· Driversions!
· FREE eBook
· FREE Newsletter
· Books
· Tell A Friend

· The Ratings
· Privacy Policy
· Editorial Reviews
· Suggestions
· Contacts
· Who We Are
· Link to Us
· FAQs
· Site Map
· Investors
· Advertising
· Media Kit

See this page for:
· the US
· the UK