- Apr 7, 2009
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This data comes from about 6,500 stores, aggregated by the CRM they all use. Sample size = 4.4 million leads.
This data comes from about 6,500 stores, aggregated by the CRM they all use. Sample size = 4.4 million leads.
What are some of your reactions to the data?From my seat, this is the post of the decade.
I was going to challenge you on this, but I think that Jorts post was MORE than a decade ago.From my seat, this is the post of the decade.

that data is incredible. Has to be a national group. But what amazing info and not surprised by the closing ratios by most of the sites.What are some of your reactions to the data?
| Marketplace | Close Rate | Performance vs. Par (Over / Under) |
| Autotrader | 9.4% | +46.9% (Over Par) |
| CarGurus | 6.8% | +6.3% (Over Par) |
| Cars.com | 6.6% | +3.1% (Over Par) |
| Benchmark (Par) | 6.4% | 0.0% (Par) |
| CarFax | 4.7% | -26.6% (Under Par) |
| Edmunds | 4.0% | -37.5% (Under Par) |
| TrueCar | 3.8% | -40.6% (Under Par) |
We're considering the "no 3rd party" experiment here. I'm not 100% sold that 3rd party is dead. Probably helps we convert higher than all of these numbers. My recommendation was to try the barbell approach first before just dropping everything. Just lean heavy into one of them (most likely AutoTrader).Hi ya Bill,
assume that 'par' = for every $grand you invest in a platform:
Marketplace Close Rate Performance vs. Par (Over / Under) Autotrader 9.4% +46.9% (Over Par) CarGurus 6.8% +6.3% (Over Par) Cars.com 6.6% +3.1% (Over Par) Benchmark (Par) 6.4% 0.0% (Par) CarFax 4.7% -26.6% (Under Par) Edmunds 4.0% -37.5% (Under Par) TrueCar 3.8% -40.6% (Under Par)
Dealers debate the best internet lead sources, with consensus pointing to a dealership's own website as the top performer, followed by third-party listing sites. The thread's standout moment is Alex Snyder sharing aggregated CRM data from 6,500 stores and 4.4 million leads — including eye-opening AutoTrader performance figures — which others called the most significant data drop the forum had ever seen. A key takeaway from multiple contributors is that no universal best lead source exists; closing rates vary widely by market, and internal processes like follow-up and CRM discipline matter more than which third-party provider you use.