Both Carvana and CarMax have revolutionized the way people shop for vehicles. Both allow you to look for your next new ride online and eliminates the need for in-person shopping. But many potential buyers wonder “Should I buy from Carvana or CarMax?”

In this article, we take a quick look at each company and what they offer, including the advantages of buying from Carvana. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have the tools you need to decide the answer to the question, “Should I buy a car from Carvana?”

Carvana

Carvana is known for its sleek car vending machines, offering a variety of vehicles without ever having to go through the process of a dealership.

But Carvana doesn’t just have eye-catching roadside buildings. Instead, much of the company’s operations take place online, where users can browse thousands of vehicles and find the one that best suits them.

Why Carvana? 

If you’re wondering “Should I buy from Carvana?”, you need to know what sets them apart, though.  It’s this: Carvana focuses on making the car hunting process as streamlined and personalized as possible.

Its customer-centered business model starts with the loan application process. On Carvana’s website, you can get pre-qualified for a loan in just 2 minutes. All you need to do is enter information to verify your identity and show how much you make in a year. These details are kept confidential and only used to calculate your loan.

How Does it Work? 

Once you’ve qualified, you can turn your attention to finding the right car for you. When you use Carvana’s car finder (you can also browse vehicles without the car finder), the platform will ask you a series of questions regarding your needs and preferences. Then, it will match you with affordable, high-quality cars in your price range.

You can then select a car and either have it delivered to your home or pick it up from the vending machine.

If you choose to go the vending machine route, you’ll receive a token. When you insert the token, the machine will retrieve the vehicle for you. You’ll get a chance to test drive the vehicle before you sign and take it home.

What about a test drive? 

Instead of a test drive, Carvana allows some akin to a “test week.” This means that no matter what you choose, you have 7 days to return your vehicle to Carvana if you don’t love it. Carvana will then either refund you or let you swap it out for another car. You can change out cars up to 3 times!

CarMax

Before we answer the question “Should I buy from Carvana?” let’s take a look at the company’s competitor, CarMax.

How does Carmax work?

CarMax gives you access to all the top car brands. They sell used vehicles and conduct quality checks to make sure their cars meet safety standards.

On CarMax’s site, you can search for vehicles by make and model. You can also select your price range and get pre-approved for a loan. Doing so gives you an idea of what cars you can afford before you start looking at them.

CarMax’s website goes into the details about each available vehicle (learn how to accessorize your car). Before you make your final decision, you’ll know how many miles are on the car and the features it comes with.

Is there a test period?

Once you find your vehicle, you can reserve it and have it delivered to your home. If you don’t like shopping online, you can go to the CarMax store and test drive vehicles.

CarMax gives you 30 days to return your car if you’re not satisfied with it. If you choose to return your vehicle, you’ll get a full refund. Though there are stipulations that we’ll cover further down.

So, Should I Buy from Carvana or CarMax?

If you’re wondering, “Should I buy from Carvana or CarMax?” you need to take a few things into consideration.

Even though Carvana and CarMax are in the same industry, Carvana makes it easier for you to find the car you want. The company’s website matches you with a vehicle based on your preferences and needs, whereas CarMax only lets you browse through cars on your own.

Likewise, even though CarMax gives you a longer period of time to test your cars out, it doesn’t allow you to swap one vehicle out for another. Instead, you’ll have to take your refund and look for a new car on your own.

So, to get the best service for your money, you should buy from Carvana.

Ready to Get Your Next Car?

Now that you know the answer to the question “Should I buy from Carvana?” you’re ready to get your next car. To get started, visit the Carvana website and get pre-approved for your loan. Then, once you know how much you can afford, start looking for your vehicle.

If you’ve been wondering, “Should I buy a car from Carvana?” read more about the benefits of using Carvana!