AI agents are useful, especially when you use specific prompts, but all information needs to be validated.

AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot are go-to resources for many people, but how good are they for making a car purchase easier? They’re a mixed bag. Here’s a look at what they do well and where your own discernment should guide the car-buying process.

How AI can be useful for car shopping

AI can be a good starting point when buying a car, especially for identifying which model will best suit your needs and figuring out how much you can afford.

When seeking help on which model to choose, tell AI your preferences and ask for a list of suitable models. The more specifics you provide, the better. For example, you may ask what vehicles are reliable, safe and comfortable for driving 175 miles each week, have enough cargo space for soccer gear for two kids and can tow a boat or travel trailer.

Knowing your financial standing will help you target cars in your price range. Using your credit score, income, current debt, down payment and preferred loan term, AI can help estimate what you can afford. However, do not share any personal information that could compromise your security, including Social Security number, home address, full name or bank account numbers.

Prompts for getting the best results

The quality of results from AI chat queries depends on what you ask and how you ask. “To get the most out of AI tools, don’t use them like a search engine,” advises Consumer Reports. “Write specific prompts, and validate the results against trusted primary sources, such as trusted news sites and manufacturer websites.”

Another effective way to use AI is to ask for a side-by-side comparison of multiple vehicles and highlight the pros and cons of each. If you’re unfamiliar with auto jargon, AI can also help translate terms into plain English.

What to be careful about when using AI to shop for a car

You’ve heard that AI tools can hallucinate, and this holds true when researching which vehicle to buy. AI is known to suggest models that don’t exist, provide outdated pricing information or pricing from the wrong market, and refer to concept vehicles shown at auto shows.

AI tools are good at generating responses that are polished and appear authoritative. Don’t let the clean presentation lull you into accepting everything AI generates at face value. Verify information before relying on it. Ask AI to cite the sources it used, then click through and read the source yourself.

Some people find AI useful for generating talking points for when they talk to a salesperson. Before following suggested scripts, verify that the context of the advice offered matches your particular situation.

Remember, AI is a tool to assist. It can help with your vehicle search, keep you organized and suggest ways to talk to a dealer. However, you’re the driver in this process, and you should verify all information before acting on it.

Ready to buy a car?

While AI can provide general information about how much car you can afford, our loan officers can determine exactly how much you can borrow. Plus, with pre-approval, you can walk into a dealer confident about your budget and that your auto loan financing is secure.

 

All loans subject to approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change may vary based on credit worthiness, qualifications and collateral conditions.