The 8 Best Used Car Dealerships in Wilmington, NC
Purchasing a used car takes a leap of faith, leading to unnecessary hassle and stress for buyers. Choosing the right dealership - one that offers certified car backgrounds, mechanics, warranties, and other advantages is almost always the best and safest way to buy a used car. We’ve dug through reviews, testimonials, and ratings on various sites to find the best used car dealerships in Wilmington, NC.
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1. Auto Wholesale of Wilmington
Address: 6624 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone number: 910-395-0024
Specialty: Used cars
Website: https://www.wilmingtonautowholesale.com/
Auto Wholesale of Wilmington, a well-known Wilmington dealership, carefully picks its inventory with customer satisfaction in mind. A certified dealer with a five-star rating from 591 reviews on DealerRater, the company is a four-time winner of Encore Magazine’s “Best Place to Buy a Used Car.”
This reputation aligns with Auto Wholesale’s commitment to a positive buying experience. Instead of going through various company departments during the sale, customers are personally assisted from test drive to delivery to ensure seamless communication and clarity. Do you want to take a look for yourself? See an aerial flyby of the dealership - maybe you’ll see the perfect car from the air!
2. Matthews Motors
Address: 5723 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone number: 910-335-4016
Specialty: Great trade-in appraisals
Website: https://www.matthewsmotorswilmington.com/
Matthews Motors opened their Wilmington branch in Wilmington in 2017, but the family-owned business has been operating in North Carolina since 1994. They establish customer loyalty through their Lifetime Powertrain Warranties and extended service contracts, with a dedicated service center buyers can utilize over the years.
Matthews Motors offers trade-in services and an efficient appraisal process that keeps for 30 days. Outside of the business, the company is dedicated to giving back to North Carolina organizations in need, with extensive charity involvement!
3. Bruce Cavenaugh’s Automart
Address: 6321 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone number: (910) 399-3480
Specialty: Financing for low/bad credit scores
Website: https://www.brucecavenaugh.com
UPDATE: Unfortunately Bruce Cavenaugh’s Automart has closed its doors permanently back in April 2021
Bruce Cavenaugh’s Automart is a one-stop-shop for buying a car, selling a car, or having your vehicles serviced. Their website offers a “Vehicle Locator” feature where customers who don’t see what they’re looking for in current inventory can enter the car’s details, and the dealership will work to find it for them. Additionally, the company works to accommodate all credit issues for a successful purchase.
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4. Seasell Auto
Address: 209 Old Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone number: (910) 399-2995
Specialty: Great online sales process
Website: http://usedcars.seasellauto.com/web/inventory/preowned
Seasell Auto combats the hassles and pressures of car buying by selling exclusively online and by appointment. For those looking to sell their vehicle, the dealership will appraise the car for free with the option of trading in or just selling.
Seasell Auto maintains its inventory number at a level that allows the dealership to hand-pick every car while offering a wide variety. The business’s motto is “A Lot of Car for the Money.”
5. Go Automotive
Address: 6401 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412
Phone number: (910) 399-8068
Specialty: Consignment
Website: https://www.goautomotive.com
Go Automotive started business in Wilmington in 2012 and has built a solid reputation based on loyal customers and quality customer service, earning “Top Rated Dealer” certifications from CarGurus in 2018 and 2019. For car owners looking to sell, Go Automotive offers the option to consign their vehicle.
6. Pleasant Motor Company
Address: 6245 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone number: (910) 350-0210
Specialty: Finding cars not currently on their lot
Website: https://www.pleasantmotorcompany.com
UPDATE: Pleasant Motor Company has permanently closed its doors.
Family-owned and operated since 2003, Pleasant Motor Company is committed to making sure customers get the vehicle they want. If it’s not on their current lot, the dealership offers a Vehicle Request feature on its website, and they will work to find the model for you.
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7. Patterson Auto Sales
Address: 7235 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone number: (910) 392-3576
Specialty: Extended warranties & vehicle history reports
Website: https://patterson-autosales.com
Patterson Auto Sales set up shop in the heart of Wilmington in 1999 and have not wavered in their commitment to a positive reputation based on honesty and reliability. They were most recently recognized as a “Top Rated Dealer of 2020” by CarGurus.
Patterson’s “high quality- low cost” vehicles span many makes and models, each with their own Carfax history reports. All purchases come with a 30 day/ 1000 mile warranty with the option to purchase extended warranties.
8. CarFellas
Address: 6735 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone number: (910) 832-9270
Specialty: Certified Pre-Owned vehicles
Website: https://www.carfellas.com
CarFellas is a local pre-owned dealership serving the Wilmington, Wrightsboro, and Leland communities. The dealership carries a variety of vehicle body styles, including SUVs, sedans, and trucks.
CarFellas is dedicated to providing quality at the right price, with most vehicles ranging from $10k to $20k. Their financing specialists’ experience with a wide array of financial institutions allows customers to procure financing no matter their credit situation. Finally, CarFellas is committed to providing a pressure-free buying experience for all.
Things You Should Avoid Doing in a Dealership
Car buying can be a complicated process, and with a few costly mistakes, you may end up with the buyer’s remorse crowd. Here are some things you should avoid doing in a car dealership:
- Going to a dealership without a plan - If you go into a car dealership without a plan, you may find yourself with a lousy deal. A car is not something you approach by impulse buying. Know how much money you can put down, how much monthly payment you can afford, the current market value of the car you want, etc.
- Not knowing what you want - On a related note, know precisely what type of vehicle you want. Don’t let the salesperson convince you to get the car you don’t want. Be specific and firm.
- Engaging in monthly payment negotiations - Some dealerships will attract you with lower monthly payments but with a massive catch of longer terms. In the end, you pay more than you have to; this is why you need to set a budget.
- Not walking away - Car buying can be a stressful experience, so most people want to get it over and done with as soon as possible, sometimes with disastrous results. If you’re unsure or simply not feeling it, don’t hesitate to walk away.
The Easiest Way To Find Cars In Your Area
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