With Auto Prices High and Choices Limited, Consumer Reports Offers Tools and Advice on How To Get the Car You Need Now

YONKERS, NY — With prices at record highs and inventory still tight, the car market remains challenging for Americans. For those who find themselves unable to avoid shopping for a car right now, Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing and consumer advocacy organization, has expert tips and new tools that can help folks find a good quality car for a price they can afford.

One-third (33 percent) of Americans who purchased a vehicle in the past year said that it cost more than they thought it would, according to an October 2021 nationally representative CR survey of 2,036 U.S. adults. Fifteen percent of car buyers said that they delayed their purchase due to pricing and availability issues during the pandemic, 15 percent settled for a different model from the one they originally wanted, and 12 percent settled for a different trim or features.

“The global chip shortage and other pandemic-related supply chain disruptions have made it tough for manufacturers to build cars quickly enough to meet consumer demand, and the issues will likely persist through next year,” said Benjamin Preston, automotive reporter for Consumer Reports. “But even in today’s challenging car-buying market, you can find a car you love for a fair price, and CR has the strategies and tools that can help.”

There are many good reasons consumers might want (or need) to buy a car right now. Perhaps their lease is up, or they have a new teen driver who needs a vehicle, their current ride is no longer worth the cost of repairs, or they’ve simply put off an upgrade long enough. CR’s latest guide features help from the organization’s auto pros on navigating these common car-buying scenarios, plus expert picks for the best new and used cars available now.

In addition, ConsumerReports.org has several tools that can help buyers navigate every step of the car buying and ownership experience, and save money throughout.

• CR’s newly-introduced Car Selector tool allows car buyers to smartly research vehicles and identify the makes and models that best meet their needs based on reliability, fuel economy, performance, comfort, cargo space and towing capacity, and seating capacity and accessibility.
• As part of a special car savings program, CR offers access to its Build & Buy Car Buying Service, which has saved car buyers a total of more than $1 million. Build & Buy allows users to compare in-stock vehicles, see what others paid for the car they want, and customize payments online. They can get upfront price offers online from local certified dealers. On top of national incentives, buyers are eligible for additional incentive offers from select manufacturers through the service.
• CR’s Used Car Marketplace allows car shoppers  to search for vehicles for sale in their area, sorting by the factors that matter most. The listings include CR reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, and there’s a free Carfax report for most of the vehicles. Users can also access ratings and information on used vehicles going as far back as 20 years.
• CR’s newly-improved Car Repair Assistant, powered by RepairPal, gives consumers access to a nationwide network of more than 2,000 repair shops that guarantee high-quality auto repair service at a fair price.
• CR also bestows a Green Choice designation on cars that are among the cleanest, lowest-emitting passenger vehicles on the market, which are identifiable by a green leaf icon. Sustainable vehicles can save consumers money. CR’s independent analysis has found that drivers of electric vehicles are saving an average of 50 percent on maintenance and repair over the life of a vehicle compared to owners of gas-powered vehicles.

CR’s advice for buyers in this unusual market: Act quickly and negotiate from an informed perspective. That can make the difference between getting a fair deal and leaving with no deal.

• Identify the Models That Fit Your Needs. Browse ratings and reviews online, factoring in  budget, size, and lifestyle needs, such as third row seating and towing capability. You can also check the reliability histories, owner satisfaction scores, and more at CR.org to help narrow your  choices and choose alternative models.
• Decide Between New or Used. Look at current transaction prices using CR.org to learn what’s a fair price for the model you want. Run the numbers to see if buying a new or used vehicle is right for you. Used-car prices are elevated now, so you may find that buying new is smarter than buying a 3-year-old car. Also, lower finance charges, zero miles on the odometer, and a full factory warranty can make new cars more appealing. Buying used these days often means looking back several years in order to see a meaningful discount.
• Research your trade-in value. Use CR’s Trade-in Value Estimator  (CR.org/tradein) to figure out how much your old car is worth. See what the local dealer is willing to offer and compare the two figures. Keep in mind that you’re likely to get more money for your old car if you sell it yourself, so check its retail value, and look at what similarly-optioned versions of the same model are listed  for.
• Secure financing. Get pre-approved for financing through your bank or an online vendor such as Carvana or LendingTree. Locking in a rate early on gives you a starting point for negotiating financing terms with the dealer. If the dealership can beat your secured loan, great.
• Find your car at a fair price. Use a car listing aggregator like Cars.com to locate cars nearby. But call the dealership before heading out to see a specific car; some dealers post  online listings before the car is on their lot. Use CR’s Build & Buy Car Buying Service (CR.org/buildandbuy) to compare in-stock vehicles and see what others paid, and take advantage of additional incentive  offers  from select  manufacturers.
• Test drive and verify your features. Test drive the car to make sure you’re comfortable with its performance and features—and that it has all the features specified. Is it missing something you wanted? Ask if the manufacturer plans to install it retroactively if they’ve been temporarily  suspended.
• Be prepared to act fast. This is a seller’s market. Finding the car you want may mean heading to a dealership outside your local area. CR’s car buying experts find that it can be helpful to put down a refundable deposit on the car via phone to make sure it’s actually there when you arrive.