FIELD OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments relate to providing a full service online automobile buying and funding experience and process.

BACKGROUND

Many car buyers dislike the traditional car buying experience. This dislike has led to car buyers using online (e.g., Internet based) automobile buying services or loan providers. However, current online automobile buying services suffer from numerous deficiencies. For example, current online, or Internet based, automobile buying services: do not offer integrated loan applications and approval (including requiring separate credit applications at the dealer), have limited dealer participation, have vehicle restrictions (e.g., the service is restricted to only new or used vehicles), require a membership (e.g., are restricted to members only or require joining prior to using the service), fail to reflect actual new car inventory at participating dealers, lack the ability to account for trade-ins or down payments, some offer only online car choices (e.g., lack a physical dealer tie-in), are merely financing services (i.e., lack a automobile configuration or selection component). Many services have a combination of the preceding deficiencies and/or suffer from other deficiencies. Overall, these existing services fail to offer a complete car buying experience for a user.

These and other deficiencies exist. Exemplary embodiments solve these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments include a system having: a server, communicatively coupled to a network, and including at least one processor and tangibly disposed memory, the server being configured to: present a first interface to a user over the network, the first interface including a selection screen; receive, over the network, a first input from the user through the first interface, wherein the first input including at least selection of an automobile buying option; present a second interface to the user, over the network, based on the first input, the second interface including a set of options for configuration of an automobile; receive, over the network, a second input form the user through the second interface, wherein the second input includes selection of one or more options configuring the automobile; present a third interface to the user, over the network, based on the second input, the third interface including a listing of one or more dealerships that have the configured automobile; receive, over the network, a third input from the user through the third interface, wherein the third interface includes selection of a dealership; present a fourth interface to the user, over the network based on the third input, the fourth interface including an application for financing to purchase the configured automobile; receive, over the network, a fourth input from the user through the fourth interface, wherein the fourth input includes input of requested information relating to the financing; and provide the user a confirmation of approval of the financing for the configured automobile.

These and other embodiments and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the various exemplary embodiments.

