What buying a new car on your own takes in 2026, what The Model Black removes, and what it leaves in your hands.
The Model Black is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer or broker and does not act as a broker in any way. Participating dealerships sell and lease every vehicle and complete each purchase directly with you.
Doing it yourself works; people buy cars on their own every day. It takes research, a round of quote requests, an out-the-door price from each store, a visit or three, and a finance office. The Model Black removes the parts that eat the weekend: participating dealerships give you their savings and transparent pricing up front, every new car is priced three ways for your city, and the Concierge answers your questions along the way. You still choose the car, and the dealership still sells it and completes the purchase directly with you, at the dealership or, where it offers them, through a mobile notary at your door or remotely.
| Step | Doing it yourself | The Model Black |
|---|---|---|
| Finding the car | Search listing sites, call or email dealers, confirm it is really in stock | Live inventory from participating dealerships, filtered by payment, model, body, or fuel; the Concierge can search it with you |
| Getting the price | Request quotes, wait, compare out-the-door sheets that itemize differently | The dealership's savings, price, market adjustment, and aftermarket pricing published on the vehicle page |
| Payment math | Estimate with online calculators; the dealer's number arrives in the finance office | Finance, lease (monthly, one-pay, deposits), and cash with taxes and fees for your city, before you talk to anyone |
| Trade-in | Get offers store by store | An instant estimate from your VIN, or an appraisal from the dealership on your deal, based on the details and photos you send it. Its number is final once it inspects your car, and it holds if your car arrives in the same condition you described. |
| Negotiation | Yours to run | None needed; the price is published |
| Paperwork | At the dealership, often several hours | The dealership sends it to you directly, and you sign in store, through a mobile notary at your door, or remotely, as it offers; the Concierge answers your questions along the way |
| Delivery | Up to you and the dealer | Pick up at the dealership, or, where the dealership ships, have it delivered; the dealership signs with you first and gives you the delivery window |
Not always. You sign at the dealership unless it offers a mobile notary at your door or remote signing. A car shipped to you is released once the paperwork is verified and complete, and if you pick up, the dealership walks you through the car there.
Not to browse or see pricing: creating an account to see pricing is complimentary. To be introduced to the participating dealership you choose, so you can complete your purchase directly with them, you need a membership: White Level or Black Level, with pricing coming soon. One membership covers you and the members of your household at the same address for every purchase during its term. The full list of what each level includes is coming soon.
No. The Concierge is there to answer questions whenever you want it, and a person on our team answers email; you can browse, price, and send a deal without ever opening it.
It is the dealership's published selling price with its savings and any market adjustment shown; taxes, fees, and registration for your city are itemized on the vehicle page. The dealership confirms the final contract figures.
Buy it there. The Model Black shows what participating dealerships publish; it does not claim to beat every price everywhere.