Survey shows pricing, reliability, and user reviews drive online car research

New- and used-car buyers are going online to research pricing, reliability information, user reviews, view photos, and more. Two-thirds (67 percent) of consumers plan to use the Internet to help with their next car purchase, including 83 percent of those shoppers under age 35 years and 77 percent of car buyers earning at least $50,000, according to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Planned Internet use does not vary according to whether the next car will be new or used. In fact, the priorities remain similar between the two sets of buyers.

The survey is based on 1,764 random, nationwide telephone interviews, exploring attitudes and trends related to car buying.

Pricing is easy to find online, although reliability information is more difficult. Both are available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers, along with much more information.

ConsumerReports.org also provides user reviews, photos, videos, a car configurator, and Build & Buy, a service that provides competitive guaranteed price quotes from local dealers who are held accountable for high customer satisfaction.

Stepping up to a Cars Best Deals Plus premium subscription provides extensive pricing, extended road-test reports, and detailed reliability data that shows you the common problems owners have experienced in 17 areas.

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—Jeff Bartlett