The Danger of Internet Car Advice

I’m a big believer in doing your homework before you buy a car. I’ve said it for years, and I still mean it. The problem isn’t research itself — it’s when research turns into overload, and good information gets buried under bad advice, loud opinions, and flat-out nonsense.

And there’s a lot of nonsense online.

One of the first things I tell people is this: the internet is a great tool, but it is not a referee. Anyone can post a review. Anyone can make a video. Anyone can claim to be an expert. That doesn’t make it true, and it doesn’t make it relevant to you.

I see it all the time. A buyer walks in already anxious, armed with printouts, screenshots, and forum posts predicting catastrophic failure. The car hasn’t even been test-driven yet, but the deal is already poisoned by something a stranger wrote at two in the morning after a bad experience and possibly after drinking.

Here’s what gets lost online: context.

Most vehicles sold today are remarkably reliable. That doesn’t mean they’re perfect, but it does mean that isolated problems tend to get amplified. People rarely post when everything works as expected. They post when something goes wrong. That skews perception in a hurry.

Another issue is that not all complaints are created equal. A software glitch that requires an update is not the same thing as a mechanical failure. A recall that affects a small number of vehicles is not proof that a model is “junk.” But online, everything gets lumped together into one big bucket of fear.

Then there’s the timeline problem. Cars change quickly. A complaint from three years ago may have been addressed long ago with updated parts, revised software, or a different supplier. Online content doesn’t always age well, and few people go back to update old posts when problems are resolved.

I also caution people about taking advice from forums and comment sections without knowing who’s giving it. Is this person an owner? A technician? Someone repeating something they heard from someone else? Or just someone who enjoys being angry online? You can’t always tell — and that should matter.

Another trap is overvaluing opinions that don’t match how you’ll actually use the vehicle. A reviewer who tows heavy loads, drives aggressively, or expects luxury-car refinement may hate a vehicle that would be perfectly fine for commuting, errands, and road trips. Their deal-breaker may not be yours.

This is where I remind people not to believe everything they read online — especially when it’s absolute. Statements like “never buy this,” “always avoid that,” or “this car will definitely fail” are red flags. Cars, like people, live different lives depending on how they’re treated and how they are maintained.

The smarter way to research is to look for patterns, not horror stories. Are there repeated complaints about the same issue from many credible sources? Is there a technical service bulletin or recall addressing it? Or is it one loud voice echoing across multiple platforms?

Just as important, balance online research with real-world experience. Sit in the vehicle. Drive it. Pay attention to visibility, comfort, controls, and how it fits your daily life. No review can tell you whether a seat bothers your back or whether the controls make sense to you.

I also encourage people to talk to professionals they trust. A Car Pro dealer, a seasoned technician, or an experienced advisor like myself can help separate legitimate concerns from internet noise. That kind of perspective doesn’t come from algorithms.

Online research should inform your decision, not paralyze it. If you walk into the process convinced something will go wrong, it usually does — at least in your mind. Buying a car shouldn’t feel like preparing for disaster.

The internet gives us more information than ever before. The challenge now isn’t finding answers — it’s knowing which ones matter.

So do your research. Read our reviews. Watch videos. Just remember this: the loudest voices online are rarely the most reliable. Trust patterns, trust professionals, and trust your own experience behind the wheel.

And above all, don’t let the internet talk you out of a good car.