driveway.com

What is Driveway.com

Driveway is an online automotive retail platform based in the United States that lets people buy, sell or trade vehicles “from home.” (driveway.com)

  • As a buyer: you can browse an inventory of 50,000+ vehicles across the country. (driveway.com)

  • As a seller: you can get a quote online for your car, and sell it or trade it in without going to a traditional dealership. (driveway.com)

  • Financing and servicing are built into the process. They mention a finance wing (Driveway Finance Corporation) for car loans. (driveway.com)

The company is part of the network of Lithia Motors, Inc.—one of North America’s largest car-retail groups. (driveway.com)

How it works

Here’s a rough step-by-step for buying or selling via Driveway.

Buying

  1. Browse the online inventory for a vehicle you like.

  2. Choose delivery to your home or pickup (depending on your location). (driveway.com)

  3. Apply for financing (if needed) via their system. (driveway.com)

  4. Complete paperwork online as much as possible; car arrives, you get it.

Selling / Trading

  1. Get a free online quote for your car. (driveway.com)

  2. Accept the quote; they arrange pickup (in many cases) from your location.

  3. You get paid (or trade-in applied) once the car is collected.

  4. The process aims to reduce the time and hassle of visiting a dealership or managing private sale.

What they claim as benefits

  • Convenience: Entire process (to a large extent) can be done online or remotely.

  • Wide inventory: Having 50,000+ listings means more choice and often better availability.

  • Transparent quoting for sellers: Online quote helps you compare instead of walking into a dealership blind.

  • Backed by a major retailer (Lithia), which may lend legitimacy and scale.

  • They publish guidance (for buyers) on things to watch for when buying online. (driveway.com)

What customers say (pros & cons)

Pros

  • Many reviewers say the process was smooth, communications good, team helpful. (Trustpilot)

“Driveway makes car buying and selling simple and stress free! The platform is user friendly…” (Trustpilot)

  • Sellers appreciated higher offers than local trade-ins and simple pickup. (Trustpilot)

  • Buyers liked the home delivery / online process compared to going to a showroom.

Cons / things to watch

  • Some customers reported frustrations with paperwork delays, titling/registration issues, after-sales service. For example a buyer on Reddit says:

    “I purchased a 2022 truck through Driveway (Lithia Motors) and the experience was one of the most frustrating … communication was scattered and confusing.” (Trustpilot)

  • Because a lot of the process is digital/remote, you may have fewer in-person touchpoints; some buyers prefer a traditional dealership for inspections, test drives etc.

  • Fees and final conformations can differ from initial quotes (for example, a seller mentioned the quoted price dropped after paperwork). (Trustpilot)

Market positioning & context

Online car retail has grown significantly, especially with consumers comfortable buying big-ticket items remotely. Driveway is positioned in that space — a full-service online car retailer (not just a listing site).
Being part of a large established retailer (Lithia) gives it an advantage over some smaller startups in terms of logistical support and inventory access.
However, buying or selling a car remains more complex than many smaller purchases (titles, registration, inspections, delivery logistics) so companies like Driveway face operational challenges and risk of customer-service issues.

Key takeaways

  • Driveway offers a one-stop online experience for buying, selling, trading cars.

  • Large nationwide inventory, financing option, home delivery/pickup are strong selling points.

  • Customer reviews are mostly positive but there are enough reported issues (paperwork, registration, communication) to warrant caution.

  • If you use it: do your homework (market value, condition of vehicle, delivery logistics), understand what you’re signing up for, check all fees and paperwork.

  • It may offer more convenience than a traditional dealership, especially for people who prefer minimal in-person interactions. But convenience may come with trade-offs (less “seeing it in person,” more reliance on remote logistics).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Driveway legitimate?
Yes — evidence suggests Driveway is a real business, backed by Lithia Motors, with thousands of user reviews and significant inventory.
Q: Can I sell my car to them from anywhere in the US?
They advertise nationwide service (or broad coverage) for selling your car. But delivery logistics and regional processes can vary. Confirm availability in your state. (driveway.com)
Q: Do I get to inspect a vehicle before buying?
Since many operations are online/delivery-based, you may have fewer in-person inspection options compared to a local dealership. If inspection is important to you, ask how they handle it.
Q: What fees should I watch out for?
As with most car purchases/sales, check for document fees, delivery fees, registration/title fees, and any differences between quoted price and final. Some reviewers noted unexpected drops after paperwork.
Q: Is this better than going to a local dealership?
It depends on your priorities. If you value convenience and minimal in-person time, Driveway might be better. If you want hands-on inspection, test driving, face-to-face negotiation, a local dealership might still win.
Q: What happens if there’s a problem after purchase (e.g., title, registration)?
Some users reported delays or issues with titling and registration. Make sure you understand how the company handles these processes and what your recourse is.

Comments

Post a Comment