What Is CarGurus?
CarGurus is an online automotive marketplace founded in 2006 by Langley Steinert, co-founder of TripAdvisor. CarGurus differentiates itself from other car listing sites through its Instant Market Value (IMV) algorithm and color-coded deal ratings that tell buyers whether a listing is priced fairly compared to similar vehicles.
The platform generates revenue through dealer advertising, featured listings, and lead generation—meaning dealers pay to have their inventory promoted on the platform.
CarGurus' Strengths
- Deal ratings: CarGurus' color-coded ratings (Great Deal, Good Deal, Fair Deal, etc.) make it easy to spot well-priced vehicles at a glance.
- Price history: See how a listing's price has changed over time—useful for identifying motivated sellers.
- Large inventory: CarGurus aggregates millions of listings from dealers across the country.
- Instant Market Value: Their IMV algorithm provides fair market estimates based on comparable sales.
Where CarGurus Falls Short
- Marketplace limitations: CarGurus only rates vehicles listed on their platform. If you find a car on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or a dealer's website, CarGurus can't help.
- Limited tools: Beyond deal ratings and basic calculators, CarGurus lacks comprehensive buying tools like lease calculators, total cost analysis, or depreciation projections.
- Dealer-focused model: Dealers pay for prominent placement, which can affect which listings you see first.
- No negotiation help: CarGurus tells you if a deal is fair but doesn't help you negotiate a better price.
How AutoPremo Compares to CarGurus
Universal Deal Analysis
AutoPremo's Price Checker analyzes ANY vehicle listing—not just those on our platform. Found a car on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist? Paste the details and get instant deal analysis.
Beyond "Is This a Good Deal?"
While CarGurus answers whether a price is fair, AutoPremo helps you understand the complete picture:
- True total cost of ownership (not just purchase price)
- Depreciation projections to maximize resale value
- Maintenance costs specific to that vehicle
- Fuel costs compared to alternatives
- Whether to buy, lease, or wait
Comprehensive Tool Suite
AutoPremo offers 21+ free tools versus CarGurus' limited calculator selection:
- Car Payment Calculator with full amortization
- Lease Calculator with money factor
- 5-Year Ownership Cost
- Trade-In Value Calculator
- Negative Equity Calculator
- Fuel Cost Calculator
AI-Powered Negotiation
Knowing a deal is "fair" doesn't mean you should pay full price. AutoPremo provides AI-generated negotiation scripts tailored to your specific situation, helping you get an even better deal.
CarGurus vs AutoPremo: When to Use Each
Use CarGurus when: You want to browse used car inventory and quickly identify well-priced listings. Their deal ratings are helpful for initial screening.
Use AutoPremo when: You want to analyze any listing (not just CarGurus inventory), understand true ownership costs, get negotiation help, or access comprehensive buying calculators.
Best approach: Use CarGurus to find vehicles and narrow your options, then use AutoPremo to analyze the true cost, verify the deal, and prepare for negotiation.