Established in 2012, Carvana has revolutionized the car buying and selling process with its fully online platform, innovative car vending machines, and commitment to transparency. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore Carvana’s unique approach, evaluate its pros and cons, and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your next used car purchase.

Key Takeaways

Sherpa rates Carvana 8.4/10, placing it just outside of our 5 highest rated sites.
Carvana stands out with its modern platform, innovative features, and convenient car buying and selling process.
We recommend Carvana as a solid option for those who prioritize a convenient digital experience, but customers looking for low prices should shop elsewhere.

Our Carvana Review

A relative newcomer in the industry, Carvana stands out for its innovative approach to online car buying. We evaluated Carvana and other leading used car sites based on reputation, platform, pricing, inventory, and customer satisfaction. We give Carvana an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10, just missing our list of the five best used car sites.

Overall Rating: 8.4/10

With a user-friendly platform and transparent pricing, Carvana offers a convenient and modern car buying experience. While it has occasional delivery and vehicle condition issues, it remains a strong choice for buyers looking for a convenient and modern experience.

Reputation: 9/10

Established in 2012, Carvana quickly established itself as a significant player in the online car-buying industry. The company introduced the concept of car vending machines, which allow customers to pick up their purchased vehicles in a novel and engaging way. This innovation, along with its completely online platform, has set Carvana apart from traditional dealerships and other online car-buying sites.

Platform: 9/10

We rated Carvana’s platform 9/10. It is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to browse and purchase vehicles. The 360-degree virtual car tours are particularly helpful in evaluating the condition of the vehicle.

Pricing: 8/10

Carvana’s pricing is transparent and all-inclusive. We are impressed by their 7-day money-back guarantee. However, with limited room for negotiation, Carvana is likely to have higher prices than other sites.

Inventory: 8/10

We rated Carvana’s inventory 8/10. Carvana is constantly adding to its inventory of vehicles with thousands of cars typically available. However, those looking for a specialty vehicle will likely find a better inventory elsewhere.

Customer Satisfaction: 8/10

We were impressed by many of Carvana’s customer-centric features, including their vehicle inspection reports and 7-day return policy. However, Carvana’s customer reviews present a mixed bag in terms of satisfaction from buyers and sellers.

What is Carvana?

Carvana is an online car dealership founded in 2012, revolutionizing the car buying and selling process. The company is best known for its car vending machines, which provide a fun and unique way to pick up your car.

Carvana offers a wide selection of used vehicles, all of which undergo a rigorous 150-point inspection and come with a Carfax report. With its A+ BBB rating, Carvana is recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency.

How Does Carvana Work?

Carvana simplifies the car buying process into a few straightforward steps:

Browse and Select: Carvana’s intuitive website allows users to browse a variety of vehicles, featuring 360-degree virtual tours of each.
Finance and Purchase: Carvana offers financing options directly through its website. Users can complete the purchase online without stepping foot in a dealership.
Delivery or Pickup: Once the purchase is complete, buyers can choose to have the car delivered to their home or pick it up from a nearby car vending machine.

Pros of Carvana

Convenience: Carvana’s fully online process eliminates the need to visit multiple dealerships.
7-Day Return Policy: Buyers have a week to test drive and return the car if they’re not satisfied.
Vehicle Quality: Each car undergoes a thorough 150-point inspection and comes with a Carfax report, ensuring high quality.

Cons of Carvana

Price: Carvana’s prices can be higher compared to private sales due to the convenience and added services.
Limited Negotiation: Carvana operates on a fixed pricing model, so there’s no room for haggling.
Inventory: While Carvana offers a wide variety of vehicles, some users report limited selection in certain regions.

Review of Carvana Buying Process

The buying process with Carvana is designed to be simple and stress-free:

Browsing: The website is user-friendly, allowing easy navigation through a vast inventory.
Financing: Carvana offers competitive financing options directly through its platform.
Delivery: After purchase, customers can opt for home delivery or pick up their vehicle from a Carvana vending machine. The entire process can be completed online, which is a significant advantage for busy buyers.

Carvana’s buying process is designed with the modern consumer in mind, offering an intuitive online experience that simplifies the car buying journey. From browsing a wide selection of vehicles with 360-degree virtual tours to financing and completing the purchase online, Carvana aims to make the process as seamless as possible. Their transparent pricing ensures that there are no hidden fees, and the price you see is the price you pay.

However, Carvana’s prices can be higher than those of private sales, reflecting the added value of their services and the ease of the transaction. While you might find lower prices through private sellers or other platforms that allow for negotiation, these options often require more time, effort, and uncertainty.

Review of Carvana Selling Process

Selling your car to Carvana is just as straightforward:

Instant Quote: Carvana provides an instant online quote based on the car’s details and condition.
Free Pickup: If the offer is accepted, Carvana will arrange a free pickup of the vehicle.
Quick Payment: Payment is typically processed quickly, making it a hassle-free option for sellers.

Like its buying process, Carvana’s selling process is designed for convenience and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for those who want a hassle-free way to sell their car. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for you to find buyers, negotiate prices, or handle the logistics of the sale.

However, this convenience comes at a cost. Carvana’s fixed pricing model means there’s no room for haggling, and while the offers are generally competitive, they might be lower than what some sellers expect.

Therefore, if your primary goal is to get the highest possible payout for your vehicle, you might want to explore other options, such as selling your car privately or using platforms that allow for price negotiations. These methods can require more time and effort, but they often result in a higher sale price.

What is Carvana Care?

CarvanaCare® is an optional extended warranty program offered by Carvana. It provides additional coverage for your vehicle beyond the standard limited warranty. CarvanaCare covers major components like the engine and transmission, giving peace of mind to buyers who want extra protection for their investment. Carvana offers three tiers, Essential, Plus, and Premier, to meet the needs (and budgets) of their customers.

Carvana FAQs

Should I buy a car with Carvana?

Buying a car with Carvana is a great option for those who value convenience and transparency. With its user-friendly online platform, 360-degree car tours, and 7-day return policy, Carvana offers a stress-free car buying experience. However, if you prefer to negotiate prices or see the car in person before purchasing, you might want to consider other options.

Will Carvana give me a good offer on my car?

Carvana is known for providing competitive offers on used cars. The instant online quote is based on the car’s details and condition, and the process is straightforward with free vehicle pickup. While the offer may not be as high as a private sale, the convenience and speed of the process can be worth it.

Is Carvana better than other online car-buying sites?

Based on a review of its reputation, platform, pricing, inventory, and customer satisfaction, our overall rating of Carvana is 8.4/10. Although Carvana was not one of the five best-rated used car sites from our research, it is a good option for customers who want an easy all-in-one car-buying experience.

How do I ship a car I bought with Carvana to my location?

Carvana offers home delivery for all vehicles purchased through their platform. Once you complete your purchase, you can schedule a delivery time that works for you. Carvana’s team will deliver the car directly to your doorstep, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Sherpa’s Best Used Car Site Methodology

We used five criteria to evaluate the Best Used Car Sites:

Industry Reputation – Sites that have a strong overall standing in the industry are rated more favorably. We considered years in the industry, BBB rating, and overall reputation

Platform – We evaluated the platform’s features and ease of use. We also considered if the platform was open to all users.

Pricing – We evaluated the site’s pricing, favoring transparent pricing structures. We also considered listing fees or premium services.

Inventory – We evaluated both the quantity and variety of vehicles on the platform.

Customer Experience—We reviewed the support available for both buyers and sellers and read online customer reviews to evaluate their sentiment towards the platform.