Buying a BMW at a Dealership vs. Carvana

Many of today’s car shoppers face an increasingly common dilemma: to pursue the traditional dealership experience or buy a vehicle online. The option to buy remotely from internet-based retailers like Carvana in Atlanta might be attractive, but could you be missing out on crucial benefits like pre-purchase test drives, vehicle exchange privileges, and more?

Before you settle on Carvana for a BMW, we recommend comparing the Carvana vs. dealership experience for a little more insight into the pros and cons of Carvana. United BMW is committed to providing transparent car-buying information to empower Roswell and Marietta-area drivers to make the best decision for their lifestyle and budget.

The Pros and Cons of Carvana: How Do They Weigh Against Dealerships?

When you have a packed calendar and a busy life to lead, it may look more convenient to use Carvana in Atlanta for your next vehicle. However, there are some dealership experiences that simply can’t be replicated in a remote setting. Compare the pros and cons of Carvana to those of dealerships to learn more.

Test Drives

Carvana: Disadvantage

It’s only after you purchase a Carvana BMW and it’s delivered to your home that you finally get to take the vehicle on a test drive. Prior to purchasing with Carvana in Atlanta, you merely have photos, videos, and vehicle history reports to assess a vehicle’s condition.

Dealership: Advantage

Working with a dealership means you can browse their inventory in person and test drive as many vehicles as you like, before committing to a purchase.

Vehicle Condition

Carvana: Disadvantage

Even with the vehicle history report available, you’re taking a gamble on a vehicle’s performance and overall condition when you don’t get to physically inspect it until it’s purchased and delivered to you.

Dealership: Advantage

At the dealership, you typically have as long as you want to physically inspect every inch of a vehicle before putting any money down. If you discover any flaws not mentioned in the vehicle’s description or history report, you have the opportunity to bring them up and negotiate the price accordingly.

Overall Convenience: Trade-in Values, Financing, Etc.

Carvana: Neutral

Shoppers are drawn to the convenience of Carvana and other car delivery services because they get to do everything online, including valuing their trade, applying for financing, and even signing the purchase agreement without ever stepping foot in a physical establishment.

Dealership: Neutral

Many dealerships now enable their customers to complete nearly all the same steps as Carvana on their own websites! You can browse entire inventories online, learn the value of your trade, and get pre-approved for financing all in one spot. In fact, some dealerships even allow you to buy your vehicle online as well and take delivery of the vehicle at home — but you still get to test drive and inspect the car before fully committing to the purchase. The difference here is the ability to go to a physical dealership if you do want to work one-on-one with a dedicated associate.

Negotiating Power

Carvana: Disadvantage

Doing everything online when you use Carvana for a BMW means there is no room to negotiate the price. You must commit to the list price and buy the vehicle as-is, sight unseen.

Dealership: Advantage

You do have the power to negotiate when you work with a dealership. True, the dealership is under no obligation to accept your price point. But as we alluded to previously, the power to negotiate becomes crucial if you discover any undisclosed issues while inspecting the vehicle.

Exchange Privileges

Carvana: Disadvantage

Carvana customers do have the option to return a vehicle within seven days if they discover any major problems after inspecting and driving their vehicle. In practice, however, Carvana returns can be quite a hassle since there’s no physical place you can take the car. Instead, you have to arrange pick-up of the car and wait for the paperwork to complete the return. What’s more, Carvana limits customers to a maximum of two free vehicle returns. That means if up to two vehicles have issues after purchasing them, the third vehicle is no longer returnable or exchangeable.

Dealership: Advantage

In the rare event that you purchase a vehicle from a dealership and discover an issue after bringing it home, most dealerships have flexible return policies to correct the situation. Plus, you get to go back to the dealership and work directly with an associate on the return or exchange.

Selling Your Car

Carvana: Neutral

Working with Carvana to sell your car is a neutral experience that factors into both the pros and cons of Carvana. On the plus side, you can have your car appraised entirely online and Carvana will pick it up from your home when it’s time to complete the transaction. You can pocket the cash or use the credit as a trade-in value for a Carvana BMW. The downside of using Carvana to sell your car is that they will only provide free pick-up within 100 miles of their nearest facility. If you are more than 100 miles away, you’ll be charged a transportation fee which takes away from the money earned on your car.

Dealership: Advantage

Like Carvana, most dealerships allow you to start the valuation process online which saves time and makes selling your car more convenient. Some dealerships also provide pick-up services within a certain range. The advantage of selling to a dealership is that you won’t be hit with a transportation fee. Additionally, you work directly with an appraisal expert at the dealership when your car is being evaluated, which provides more transparency in the offer you get and how it was calculated. If you accept your offer, you can pocket the money or use it as a trade-in value.

Experience the Dealership Difference at United BMW

When it comes to peace of mind and customer-first service, there’s really no comparison between Carvana vs. dealerships. United BMW is home to a premium inventory of new and pre-owned BMW, and we are committed to helping you into the perfect vehicle for the right price. Contact us or visit us near Johns Creek to start working with us today!