“They gave you a keychain too???”
People are sick and tired of the rigmarole that is buying a car at a dealership.
It’s become common practice that to get a car, you need to duke it out with a car salesperson trying to get you to spend as much as possible, from random fees and warranties to making a show of the negotiation process (constantly “checking” with the boss to see if what you want is possible)—and even locking you into unfavorable lending terms.
It’s no wonder a market has opened up for places like Carvana that claim to offer a hassle-free buying process. Not only do many people choose Carvana for ease, but there’s also an added theatrical element that makes for great marketing.
In a trending video with more than 33,000 views, content creator Analeejay (@prttynspace) takes viewers along as she picks up her new car from one of Carvana’s signature vending-machine locations.
“So, I’m here picking up my new car, and I chose the pickup option because then you get to put in a coin, and the vending machine will bring your car,” she says.
Before Analeejay can retrieve her car, she has to present proof of insurance and her ID—so it’s not as simple as just showing up and getting the car out of the “vending machine” as you would with a bag of chips.
Once that was handled, the representative gave her a personalized oversized coin, two keychains holding smaller coins, and a second large coin meant for the vending-machine slot.
Analeejay walks over to the delivery area, where she puts the coin in a hip-height tower with a coin slot.
She drops in the palm-sized coin and watches as the automated display begins moving. Her Honda descends smoothly from an elevated platform before rotating so that its front end faces her, with a stereotypically huge white bow stretched across the hood. The platform then slides the Accord sideways into position so Analeejay can drive it out.
In the caption, she thanked Carvana for the experience and introduced the car as “Pearl.”
Despite the name, shoppers cannot walk up to the glass tower and select a car like a candy bar or soda can. The purchase is completed online before the vehicle ever reaches the machine, according to Wendor. Here is how the process works:
Where Should You Buy A Used Car?
There is no single best place to buy a used car. Prices, vehicle quality, and buyer protections can differ depending on whether the seller is a traditional dealership, an online retailer, or the car’s current owner. Consumer Reports (CR) recommends comparing several outlets and looking for the strongest combination of features, quality, and price.
Franchised new-car dealerships typically stock late-model used vehicles that are around two or three years old. Some still carry part of the original manufacturer’s warranty, while others are sold as certified pre-owned vehicles with extended coverage. The inventory tends to be newer, and shoppers are less likely to find older vehicles.
Large auto superstores make it easier to compare different brands in one place and may use no-haggle pricing. Online retailers such as Carvana take that model a step further by moving nearly the entire transaction online and offering delivery or pickup. The tradeoff is that buyers may not get to test-drive and inspect the car before completing the purchase. Instead, these retailers often provide a limited money-back guarantee.
Independent used-car dealerships may carry everything from nearly new cars to much older vehicles, so quality can vary widely. A long-standing dealer with a good local reputation may be a promising option. However, buyers should be especially careful with financing marketed to people with poor credit, which can include high interest rates, additional fees, or stiff penalties.
Buying directly from a private owner can produce the lowest price because the seller does not have a dealership’s overhead. But buyers generally need to arrange their own financing, and the owner may not recognize mechanical problems. CR also warns that some supposed private sellers flip cheaply repaired vehicles with salvage titles.
Regardless of where the listing appears, CR recommends inspecting the vehicle in person, taking it for a test drive, and having an independent mechanic examine it before buying whenever possible.
In the comments section, viewers had mixed feelings about Carvana.
“Oh no you SELL to Carvana, never EVER buy,” a top comment read.
“So extra I love it,” a person said.
“I just could never spend all that money without a test drive,” another wrote.
“I love Carvana! I bought my car from them 2 months ago and still love everything about it!” a commenter added.
Motor1 reached out to Analeejay via email, TikTok direct message, and comment, and to Carvana via email for comment. We’ll be sure to update this if either responds.
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– The Motor1.com Team