Should I Buy a Car on Amazon? Review of Amazon Autos Beta

Have you seen the Amazon Autos ads? A Hyundai Santa Fe flying through the air to the Knight Rider theme song beat? It’s exciting, but is buying a car on Amazon as good as it sounds? As someone with eight years of dealership experience in sales and finance, I tested it out to give you the scoop.

Pros of Amazon Autos

1. Easy to Use: Amazon’s platform is as simple as ordering your favorite coffee pods or a new wig (don't judge).

2. Convenient Shopping: You can browse and compare cars without leaving your couch. For some, avoiding salespeople is a real bonus.

3. Local Inventory: Amazon connects you to cars at local dealerships, so you’re still shopping nearby.

4. Amazon-Exclusive Perks: Early birds get up to $2,300 in Amazon gift cards just for buying through the platform.* That’s an incredible savings if you use Amazon often!

5. Clear Dealer Fees: Fees are laid out upfront. You can compare prices easily without surprises.

Cons of Amazon Autos

1. Confusing Financing Rates: The rates shown at first might not be the best ones available. You’ll need to dig deeper into the process to see better options.

2. Dealer Pricing: Dealers set the prices, including adjustments that might not be obvious until later. Always read the details because the initial 'deals' weren't great!

3. Trade-In Options Are Limited: Amazon uses a third party for trade-in offers. What they give you is what you get, with no room for negotiation.

4. Not Great for Unique Situations: If you’ve got a tricky trade-in or need special financing, Amazon might not be your best bet.

5. Deals Improve as You Click: Like a dealership, the incentives get better the further you commit. For example, the special finance rate isn't listed until you move further through the process by adding a specific vehicle to your cart, and then inputting some personal information. It’s smart to check the Hyundai website to see available special rates and calculate your payment based on that to determine what you can afford. Every point is roughly $10/month.

My Take on Amazon Autos

I tested it out on a 2025 Hyundai Elantra SEL purchase. Here’s what stood out:

• Financing Options: The initial finance rate I saw to calculate payments was 5.88%, but as I moved through the process, better deals began to appear, like 1.99% for excellent credit.

• Still Confusing: I do this every day and it was hard even for me to understand where rebates were being applied and what was included in the 'dealer price'. There's some contradictory fine print.

• Amazon Perks: The $2,300 in Amazon gift cards is a dealmaker. That alone makes it worth considering.

• Trade-Ins: The trade value is set by a third party, so shop around for other quotes to sell your trade online before committing. Driveway, Carvana and Edmunds all provide cash offers.

• Be ready to go: You have to arrange pickup from the dealer within 3 days of making your deal. Even new vehicles can have minor damage when you take delivery. It's also nice when the dealership fills up your gas tank or provides a state inspection sticker. I wonder if the Amazon buyer receives the same level of treatment as the person who completed the purchase through the dealer and if there's any finger-pointing over who is responsible for what.

  
  

Should You Buy Through Amazon Autos?

If you know exactly what you want, don't need to test drive it, want to bypass pushy salespeople and finance managers, and don’t mind digging around for the best deal online, Amazon Autos is worth a shot. That $2,300 gift card? It’s a great incentive. But if you need help with financing or have a unique situation, you might want to stick with a traditional dealership.

Would I use Amazon Autos? Yes— but I’d do ALL of my homework first to ensure my deal is still 100% fair. Have you tried it? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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*Amazon Gift Card special currently available through 2/12/25.