CarsDirect.com, a multi-brand online car buying service, has announced the debut of the CarsDirect.com New and Used Vehicle Comparator. According to the company, this new research tool is the first to offer shoppers the ability to compare any number of new or used vehicles for important purchase criteria, such as new car invoice price, used car trade-in value, standard safety and exterior features, optional equipment, warranty information and more. The company says with its ability to make unlimited side-by-side comparisons on one page and the flexibility to compare new vs. new, new vs. used, or used vs. used, the CarsDirect.com Comparator goes beyond more fundamental research tools that only allow comparisons of three or four vehicles at one time. "CarsDirect.com's Comparator is arguably the most useful tool for deciding which car to buy and how much to pay," said Bob Brisco, CarsDirect.com CEO. "For instance, a late-model used vehicle can be an excellent alternative to a comparably-priced new model, offering the opportunity to `step' up to a more exclusive brand or better equipped model for the same or lower price. The CarsDirect.com Comparator is a super efficient tool for assessing just how far a new car budget will stretch." Once a buyer selects the models to be compared, he or she can choose ten different ways to view the vehicle data. Categories include:

• MSRP
  

• Invoice price
  

• Trade-in value
  

• Current private party or dealer retail price range
  

• Equipment groupings, including safety, exterior, and comfort and convenience features
  

• Seating and interior dimensions, such as leg and head room numbers
  

• Powertrain statistics, including performance measures
  

• Steering and suspension data
  

• Warranty details Shoppers can also choose to compare all available data categories simultaneously. According to the company, whether comparing three or 30 vehicles, the CarsDirect.com Comparator is designed to quickly search and prioritize high volumes of data, even for slower dial-up connections. While narrowing down new vehicle choices, consumers can also take advantage of additional CarsDirect.com Research Center tools, such as independent car reviews and buying guides, or real-time consultation with a CarsDirect.com vehicle specialist. In addition, customers can quickly check on current guaranteed retail prices and vehicle availability within their zip code, as well as submit a new vehicle purchase request. About CarsDirect.com Los Angeles-based CarsDirect.com (www.carsdirect.com) is a multi-brand online car buying service, providing new and used automobiles and related products and services, such as loan and lease financing and in-demand aftermarket products including extended warranties. CarsDirect.com says it is the first online car provider to offer visitors three distinctive car buying options: buying a new car online through the company's award-winning direct channel; being matched with a top-quality new car dealer of their choice via the CarsDirect Connect channel; or locating and purchasing a previously owned vehicle through the CarsDirect Used channel.