The Easiest Way to Buy a New Car

Update: Roadster is no longer a consumer based company. They switched business models and now power the backend of dealerships, thus the following article is no longer relevant.

Today, I want to introduce you to Roadster.com, the first site that actually makes it possible to purchase any new vehicle completely online at pre-negotiated prices, and have that vehicle delivered to your home without ever setting foot or even speaking to someone at a dealership. (currently available only in California)

Basically, the way it works is that Roadster provides a dedicated concierge who serves as a buffer between you and the dealer. This concierge is essentially a professional car buyer who is on your side and available to answer any of your questions. They will help you locate the vehicle of your choice (or suggest alternatives), guide you through the entire process, and even help you arrange financing or negotiate add-ons such as extended warranties. But there's more...

Roadster allows you to browse vehicle inventory on your own in a way I've never seen before. Typically, a huge problem when shopping for a new car online is encountering inventory information that is often outdated or just plain wrong. It's difficult to know if the colors and options packages you want are actually available at local dealerships. Roadster has dedicated major resources to solving this frustrating problem, and claims to have the most accurate inventory information available. What I love is that Roadster actually shows you how many vehicles of your exact specifications are currently in stock near you - and if there are none in stock , it shows you the closest matches along with the differences.

I've been testing out the Roadster service for the past couple of weeks, and I must say, I'm extremely impressed. The concierges have been very prompt and helpful in answering all of my questions. One thing I hate about the traditional car buying process is having to communicate with car dealerships. I've found that oftentimes I'm having to send them multiple emails to get simple questions answered (if they answer at all). This can be very time consuming and frustrating - and Roadster has solved this problem. All your questions are taken care of by the concierge. They're the ones that have to communicate with the dealerships on your behalf. I can't tell you how awesome that is!

Browsing vehicle inventory and getting no-haggle price quotes on Roadster is quick, free, and easy, however, if you do end up purchasing a vehicle, there is a $295 fee - which typically includes the vehicle delivered to your home or office.

How Good are the Car Prices?

The no-haggle price you pay for a vehicle through Roadster is usually much better than the average prices paid by other car shoppers for the same model. I did a quick sampling of prices for 6 popular models - the savings through Roadster ranged from $852 to $2,446 compared to average prices paid.

While the prices offered through Roadster are typically what I consider great deals, their true unique selling point is the convenience of being able to purchase your vehicle online, and not having to worry about pushy salespeople or dealer shenanigans. You get upfront pricing broken down in detail, and get to work with a concierge who really takes care of all your needs.

Roadster is currently only available in California but will be rolling out nationwide soon. If you live in California and are looking to purchase a new car, I urge you to try Roadster. I'd love to hear your feedback if you do use them.