The crucial information you need when buying a car, explained.
When it comes to buying a car, being confident about the price you pay can make all the difference. That’s why TrueCar shows you what other people paid for the car you want. On the TrueCar Price Report, you see what others in your area paid, on average, for cars similar to the one you want, based on historical transaction data. With this information, car shoppers are empowered to recognize a great deal and become car-buying experts along the way. Here, we answer your questions about one of the most useful tools you can utilize during the car-buying process.
What is the TrueCar Price Graph?
When you’re shopping for a car, or when you opt to receive a personalized offer on a car you’re interested in, The TrueCar Price Graph shows you what others in your area paid for similar vehicles. You can use this graph as a reference when shopping for a vehicle from a TrueCar Certified Dealer.
How do I use the TrueCar Price Graph?
This graph displays recent new car sales transactions similar to the car you want. The data is organized by price, giving you a comprehensive picture of the market, so that you can easily recognize a fair price for the car you want. As you browse vehicles, use this graph to help you decide if a car’s price is right for you.
How recent is TrueCar data?
Our pricing information and incentives are updated daily. The transactions we use are the most recent available.
Why do certain vehicles not have a TrueCar Price Graph?
We are committed to keeping our data up-to-date and accurate. When a vehicle has a very small history of recent purchases, it’s difficult to provide reliable price ranges. In those instances, we believe that it’s better not to show a TrueCar Price Graphthan to provide a price range that may not be as representative of your local market.
How do I spot a fair price?
The TrueCar Price Graph typically consists of a few key numbers that help you spot a fair price.
- The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is the retail price suggested by the manufacturer.
- The Market Average is a proprietary calculation based on actual recent transactions of other buyers, both TrueCar users and non-TrueCar users, to help you understand what others paid for similarly configured vehicles.
- If there are sufficient transactions in your area, your Market Average will be made up of local data, producing an average that is representative of your local market.
The TrueCar Price Graph is also divided into quadrants that can help you understand where the Market Average falls in your area for the kind of car that interests you: these quadrants are as follows.
Excellent Price
Transactions in this price range are exceptional deals. You may have to compromise on some of your preferences if you choose a vehicle in this low price range. These vehicles may sell for well below average due to:
- Uncommon build configurations
- Unique colors
- Manufacturer incentives
Great Price
Transactions in this price range are great deals. The vehicles in this price range are priced very competitively, perhaps because:
- The dealer wants to move them off the lot quickly
- The manufacturer offers incentives to lower the cost
- The dealer has previously experienced a high level of negotiation from shoppers buying this vehicle
Fair Price
Transactions in this price range are fair deals. Transactions in this price range generally represent:
- Cars of average popularity
- Vehicles that sold in an average amount of time
- Owners who did an average amount of research before purchasing
High Price
Transactions in this price range deserve a closer look. A vehicle may fall into this price range for several reasons:
- It could be new to the dealer’s inventory
- It may be a popular color or have popular features or options
To get the TrueCar Price Graph on a vehicle you’re interested in, check out TrueCar now.
