There are people out there for whom buying a car is a labour of love. They look forward to test drives, smile at the prospect of bagging a bargain, and read Exchange & Mart - even if they're not looking for a new car. For the rest of us, it's a long, drawn-out ordeal and anything that speeds the process up can't come too soon.
So it is no surprise that online classified services specialising in the buying and selling of cars are one of the fastest-growing sectors on the World Wide Web. The best place to start is with a more established player like Autotrader, which has listings for literally thousands of cars, bikes, trucks and caravans. The advantage of sites like this is that they carry ads from their regional editions and are more searchable (and easier to obtain) than their paper cousins. Autotrader also has links to the beeb's Top Gear which supplies interactive used car reports. You simply state car type, price, and even the level of fuel consumption and a list of suitable models pops up, complete with Quentin Willson's verdict.
Other established classified operations are good too. Key in Auto Express for good, searchable databases on both new and used cars, and a useful price index. Another good site is What Car? which boasts an AA used car data check, which helps avoid buying insurance write-offs or stolen cars. Other sites like Motor Trak may not have the backing of an established classified publisher, but its comprehensive content and client base of second-hand dealers make it also worth a look. You'll find Auto Hunter makes use of regional press listings and offers an impressive database, plus an email alert service that notifies you as soon as a car matching your criteria becomes vailable. Sites like New Car Net and Auto Locate also offer online insurance quotes via links to insurance companies and invaluable tips on buying cars.
Still, once you have found the car for you, road-tested it, checked the clock and looked at its history, there's still no guarantee the clutch won't pack in tomorrow. That's why more people are opting to put their faith in God and buying cars direct from Autosave Set up in 1983, through a deal with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England, Autosave is now a burgeoning company specialising in supplying vehicles to churches, charities and the 'caring' professions, as well as the general public.
If it's a new car you're after, try looking up manufacturers' sites like Ford and Nissan, most provide details of specifications, news of new products, online financing details as well as a helpful nudge towards a local dealer. Many offer lists of approved used car dealerships too. Alternatively, for A25, Car Deal will try to buy a new car on your behalf from local dealers, and claim to be able to broker the sort of deals usually associated with fleet purchases. They promise to repay the fee if they fail to find the car you want or can't beat a quote you obtain yourself. If the deal is successful the firm takes 18 per cent of the discount they obtain.
Plenty of sites can help you buy a whole manner of motors but there are gaps - particularly if you want something a little esoteric. However, Usenet newsgroups like the one at Vintage Cars could help find your dream car.
Buying a car this way is like buying a car conventionally, but quicker and easier. Most sites won't actually buy the car for you, just help you find it, so remember: stick to your price, ensure the car you buy is the car you need, and always buy a car with a full service history.
