What Real DriveTime Customers Say About Buying a Used Car There
Editor’s Note: Few purchases come with as many unknowns as a used car. Will you be approved? Will the price change once you’re at the dealership? DriveTime says you can get approved online, with no impact to your credit score, before you ever walk in. So we took a closer look. Keep reading for our first impressions and what real customers think, or skip to our verdict.
DriveTime Overview
DriveTime is the largest privately owned used car dealership in the U.S., with 145+ dealerships across 30 states, and has been in business since 2002. DriveTime handles both the cars and the financing in-house, which is why it can show shoppers their real approval and terms online before they visit.
How Buying a Car with DriveTime Works
Getting into your next car is clear, fast, and stress-free:
- Get approved online: Apply in less than 2 minutes using a soft credit pull that won’t affect your credit score. 99% of customers who apply at DriveTime.com get approved. A hard credit pull is only required in-store when you finalize your purchase.
- See your real, personalized terms: View the price, down payment, and monthly payment on thousands of used cars.
- Test-drive in-store: Try your chosen vehicle, then complete your purchase through a standardized, no-haggle process.
- Drive home with peace of mind: Every purchase includes a free AutoCheck history report, a 5-day return policy, and a 30-day/1,500-mile limited warranty.
First Impressions
We’ll be honest: we started out skeptical. “99% approved” and “no credit impact online” sound too good to be true, and plenty of car shoppers have heard big promises before. We expected a high-pressure lot where the price changes once you sit down and financing is a last resort for people with seriously damaged credit.
What changed our minds was how much DriveTime shows upfront. Once you apply online, with no impact to your credit score, you see your real, personalized terms on every car, including the price, down payment, and monthly payment. It’s a real approval, not just an estimate. The details you enter online carry straight over to the dealership, so there’s less paperwork when you arrive to test-drive.
You test-drive before you buy, and every purchase is backed by the return policy and limited warranty.
What Do Real DriveTime Customers Think?
DriveTime has more than 250,000+ 5-star Google reviews, and the same themes come up again and again: easy approval, transparency, and no pressure. Here are a few that stood out.
“I got a super clean SUV at a fair market price. The approval process was fast and easy.” ★★★★★ John P.
“There was never any pressure, just honest guidance and outstanding customer service. The entire purchasing process was smooth, efficient, and stress-free.” ★★★★★ Michael D.
“No pressure just genuine and authentic assistance… I came in an Uber and left in my car!” ★★★★★ Nastassia W.
“[My sales associate] was patient but quick, no pressure, no stress. Went for a test drive and when I came back, I told him yes. 15 minutes later I owned my car. Easiest dealership I have ever worked with.” ★★★★★ Seth
Our Verdict
We recommend DriveTime for shoppers who want answers before they set foot on a lot. Here’s how it differs from the usual car-buying experience:
- See your terms before you shop: At many dealerships, you pick a car first and find out about financing later. DriveTime flips that. You get a real approval online, with no impact to your credit score, before you visit.
- Choose from tons of cars under $15K: With various makes and models to choose from, it’s easy to find one that fits your budget.
- No haggling: Instead of negotiating with a different salesperson at every lot, you get the same standardized process at every DriveTime dealership.
- Test-drive today. Drive home today: With your approval and terms sorted online, you can test-drive and drive home the same day.
- Built for every credit background: DriveTime offers financing to all credit backgrounds, from great credit to bad credit to no credit. 99% of people who apply online get approved.
Final Thoughts
Buying a used car doesn’t have to be a guessing game. You’re more than your credit score, and DriveTime’s process reflects that.
If you’ve been putting off your next car because you’re not sure where you stand, it takes less than 2 minutes to find out online, with no impact to your credit score.