Top 153 TrueCar Reviews (2023)

FAQs

Does TrueCar actually work? ›

Is TrueCar legit? Yes, TrueCar is a legitimate company that works with certified dealerships to provide haggle-free pricing. It provides pricing for used and new vehicles in your area, though it cannot guarantee that the vehicle will still be available when you arrive at the dealership.

This is especially important if negotiating is something you struggle with. TrueCar negotiates rates with local, and non-local dealership "partners" on your behalf, and then representatives email you an offer that you can bring into the dealership with you.

With TrueCar, you can get upfront price offers on local inventory and see dealer fees and accessories before visiting the dealership. Get access to additional discounts on select new and used cars and post-sale coverage benefits worth up to $2,000.

The safest and most secure option for paying for a car in cash is a cashier's check. Keep all your transactions safe by never giving out banking or personal information.

Used cars purchased through TrueCar+ have a 3-day, 250-mile return policy. TrueCar Certified Dealers will allow you to return a used car you bought online as long as the car has not been: Damaged.

Based on your pricing homework, you should have a good idea of how much you're willing to pay. Begin by making an offer that is realistic but 15 to 25 percent lower than this figure. Name your offer and wait until the person you're negotiating with responds.

How much off the MSRP can I negotiate? It depends on the market value of the vehicle. You can expect to see larger discounts on slower-selling vehicles. But on a popular vehicle, even a couple hundred off might be considered a good discount.

September 2022 update:

It is not uncommon to pay over MSRP, and discounts are rare. This seller's market means that shoppers don't have much leverage in terms of negotiation. These days, if you don't like the price you're being offered, salespeople know that there will likely be someone else who will pay that price.

See it in person

Scammers can easily post fake photos and safety reports. Don't send money until you've seen the vehicle in real life. Make sure you choose a safe, well-lit, public spot to meet the seller. Ask to see the seller's identification and make sure the same name is on the vehicle's title.

How many miles is too many for a used car? ›

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

They list their dealership partners' cars on their site and try to attract consumers to buy the cars listed. But unlike their competitors, TrueCar is generally not paid a flat fee. Their fee structure varies from dealer to dealer with TRUE getting paid on either a per-vehicle sold basis or a per introduction basis.

Refinancing — or just making extra payments — are the best ways to pay off your car loan faster. Even if it's just a few extra dollars a month, you will reduce your debt and may cut a few months out of your loan.

The most efficient way to pay for your vehicle is to bring a cashier's check, which is more secure than a personal check, and guarantees that the funds are actually available.

A new trend we've seen since vehicle shortages started is dealers not accepting cash or even your own financing when buying a new vehicle. The reason? Dealerships make money financing cars. With far fewer vehicles to sell, they want to maximize every dollar of profit, so some will not take your check.

The bad news is, there isn't a cooling-off period when it comes to cars or other vehicles. This law protects vulnerable consumers who may yield to hard-sell tactics and then later regret their decision. Yet, it explicitly doesn't apply to vehicle sales. This doesn't mean that you're stuck when you buy a car.

TrueCar sends the customer's credit information to the dealer's preferred lender. Once credit is approved, customers can see what their monthly payment would be for their selected vehicle — taking into consideration incentives, their credit score and their preferred lease terms.

Is it cheaper to buy a car through Sam's Club? ›

According to TrueCar, the average amount saved by customers reporting a purchase of a new car through the Sam's Club Auto Buying Program was $1,688 in 2021. Ultimately, dealers set their own pricing, so the amount of money you save will vary depending on where you choose to purchase your vehicle.

A lowball offer is a slang term for an offer that is significantly below the seller's asking price, or a quote that is deliberately lower than the price the seller intends to charge. To lowball also means to deliberately give a false estimate for something.

The short answer is yes. However, for many, even the thought of negotiating new car prices can seem intimidating. Treat this experience like any negotiation and go in with a plan. The more thought you put into it upfront, the more confidence you'll feel about speaking with your dealer about the price of your new car.

It's Possible. Although it may seem counterintuitive, it's actually possible for a dealership to sell a car for “below invoice.” There are three major reasons why this can happen: A special promotion, holdback, or financing deal.

Dealers can sell a car at this suggested price — but they can also go higher or lower than the MSRP. The MSRP doesn't include optional add-ons that could raise the price of the car. Invoice price is lower than MSRP. It's the dealer's cost — the price the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car.

December is known to have the most significant discounts off MSRP, at 6.1 percent. Additionally, incentives are at their strongest, so you'll save even more money. No matter what time of year you're buying, you'll get a great deal at Shift.

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

November 14, 2022

New car prices are rising due to an ongoing chip shortage and increased raw material costs. In the U.S., the average price of a new vehicle was up 6.3% in the last year. This has fueled demand for used cars. Average prices were up 42.5% in September 2022 vs.

The Sam's Club Auto Buying Program is operated by TrueCar, which has over 500 certified dealers. These TrueCar certified dealers range from franchise dealers to small, independent auto dealers. The best way to find out which dealers in your area work with the Sam's Club Auto Buying Program is to shop by location.

How can I buy a car without getting scammed? ›

How the Sam's Club Auto Buying Program Works. See the value of your car and get a cash offer in minutes. Search for the car you want, see what others paid for it, and easily compare price offers. Get an upfront, personalized price from a dealer online, including manufacturer incentives and discounts.

Sam's West, Inc.

(doing business as Sam's Club) is an American chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Walmart Inc., founded in 1983 and named after Walmart founder Sam Walton as Sam's Wholesale Club.