Skip the Dealership: The Easiest Ways to Buy a Car

Car buying doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, these days it’s easier than ever, but only if you know where to look.

From expert-led buying services to skipping the dealership altogether, there are now several ways to get behind the wheel without wasting time, overpaying, or dealing with pushy salespeople. Here’s how smart shoppers are simplifying the car buying process this year.

1. Use a Car Buying Service

Imagine this: you tell an expert what kind of car or truck you’re looking for, and they handle everything. From finding the perfect car to negotiating the price, wouldn’t it be great if a pro would handle it all for you?

That’s exactly what car buying services like CarEdge Concierge do. The CarEdge team works for you, not the dealership. Whether you’ve already found the car you want or need help narrowing it down, CarEdge experts will negotiate on your behalf and help you avoid overpriced add-ons and dealer markups.

Other services, like those from Costco, Navy Federal, and others, claim to do something similar. However, it’s important to understand that most of them simply refer you to a participating dealer with pre-negotiated pricing. With CarEdge Concierge, we stay in the driver’s seat until the deal is done, and you’re more than happy with the result.

👉 See if CarEdge Concierge is right for you

2. Buy Direct-to-Consumer (If You Can)

Some automakers have removed dealerships from the equation entirely.

If you’re shopping for an electric vehicle, brands like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid let you buy or order directly from their website. That means no dealership pressure, no haggling, and a much more transparent buying experience. The downside is that service centers are fewer and farther between without an extensive network of dealerships.

With direct-to-consumer car buying, the price you see is usually the price you pay. It’s not perfect (wait times and service coverage can vary), but it’s far less stressful than the traditional dealership grind.

As of now, no traditional automakers offer true direct-to-consumer sales. But if this model works for you, it’s one of the smoothest paths to car ownership.

3. Only Shop the Deals

Prefer to do it yourself? You don’t have to start from scratch.

Instead of scrolling endlessly through listings, focus your search on the best deals available. Tools like CarEdge Insights and the Best Car Deals Hub make it easy to find low-APR financing offers, discounted leases, and cash-back incentives. You’ll save time, and likely a lot of money too.

Just remember: most manufacturer incentives have fine print, and you’ll typically need strong credit to qualify. 

🔍 Browse vehicles with Car Search to filter by negotiability, price fairness, and available deals in your area.

💡 Use CarEdge Insights to compare pricing trends, market supply, and local offers.

Which Easy Car Buying Method Is Best for You?

Final Thoughts

Car buying doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Today’s car buyers benefit from tools and services that weren’t around just a few years ago. Whether you go with a car buying service, direct-to-consumer sales, or DIY with data at your side, the easiest way to buy a car is the one that works best for you and your budget. 

Want to learn how to buy a car the right way? Our free video series, Deal School, is the perfect place to start. Check out CarEdge on YouTube for hundreds of expert-led car buying lessons.

About CarEdge

CarEdge is a trusted resource for car buyers, offering data-backed insights, negotiation tools, and expert guidance to help consumers save time and money. Since 2019, CarEdge has helped hundreds of thousands of drivers navigate the car-buying process with confidence. Learn more at CarEdge.com.