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About OffLot
What OffLot is, how it works, what's live in the preview and how to use it.
What is OffLot?
OffLot is a buyer-first way to shop for a car, truck or SUV online. At offlotai.com you can research models, search and compare vehicles side by side, see the total cost and financing, and move through the purchase with Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide, without sales pressure. OffLot is powered by Adventure Axiom, based in Corpus Christi, Texas. It is currently in preview, so listings and prices are simulated while the experience is being built and tested.
Is OffLot a real car dealership?
No, OffLot is not a dealership with its own lot. It is an online shopping experience that helps you research, compare and price vehicles and then move toward a deal with a dealer. Right now OffLot is in preview, which means the listings, dealers, prices, VINs and lender programs you see are simulated or illustrative, and real purchases, reservations, credit checks and deliveries are not live yet.
Can I actually buy a car on OffLot today?
Not yet. OffLot is in preview, so you can walk through the whole experience, from searching and comparing to building a deal and making an offer, but no real purchase, reservation, credit check or delivery happens. The listings, prices, VINs, dealers and lender programs are simulated so you can see how it works. It is a good way to learn the steps of buying a car and practice before you shop for real.
What does it mean that OffLot is in preview?
Preview means OffLot's shopping experience is open to explore, but the inventory and transactions are not real yet. The roughly 2,250 listings, their prices, VINs, vehicle histories, dealers and lender programs are simulated or illustrative. Buying, reserving, credit checks and home delivery are not live. You can still search, compare, save favorites, build a deal, try Sophie and learn how the total cost of a vehicle comes together.
Are the cars listed on OffLot real?
Not during the preview. The listings on OffLot are simulated to show how the shopping experience works, so the VINs, prices, dealers and vehicle histories should not be treated as real vehicles for sale. The model information, buying guides and education articles in the research center are meant to be genuinely useful, but if you want a specific car today, verify it directly with a dealer and check the VIN yourself.
Who is OffLot for?
OffLot is for anyone shopping for a new or used vehicle who wants clear facts instead of a sales pitch. That includes first-time buyers learning how financing and fees work, families comparing three-row SUVs, people weighing leasing against buying, truck shoppers checking towing, and EV shoppers comparing range. If you prefer to do your homework at your own pace and know the out-the-door cost before talking numbers, OffLot is built around that.
Does it cost anything to use OffLot?
No, browsing OffLot is free for shoppers. You can search listings, read the research center, compare vehicles, use the cost estimates and talk with Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide, at no charge. A free OffLot account is needed for a few features, such as making an offer and tracking it in My OffLot, but creating the account does not cost anything.
Is Sophie free to use?
Yes, Sophie is free for shoppers. You can chat with OffLot's AI buying guide by text or voice to search and filter listings, compare vehicles, open pages and get plain-English explanations of costs like taxes, fees, leases and loan payments. There is no charge for asking questions, and Sophie does not push you toward any particular vehicle.
Who owns OffLot?
OffLot is powered by Adventure Axiom, a company based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Adventure Axiom builds and runs the OffLot shopping experience at offlotai.com, including Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide. OffLot is currently in preview, with simulated listings, while the platform is being developed and tested.
How is OffLot different from going to a traditional car lot?
OffLot is buyer-first with no sales pressure. Instead of a salesperson steering the conversation, you research at your own pace, compare vehicles side by side and see an out-the-door estimate, lease estimate and affordability math on every vehicle page before you commit to anything. Sophie, OffLot's AI guide, gives facts and never labels a listing a good or bad deal. You decide when you are ready to build a deal or make an offer.
Does OffLot tell me whether a car is a good deal?
No. OffLot gives you facts, not verdicts. Every vehicle page shows the price, an out-the-door estimate, lease and affordability estimates, and listing facts like days on market, price changes and MSRP for new vehicles. OffLot never labels a listing a great deal or overpriced, and Sophie won't either. The idea is to give you the numbers you need to judge value against your own budget and priorities.
How do I search for a car on OffLot?
You can type what you want in plain English, such as "a three-row hybrid under $45k" or "an AWD truck that can tow 8,000 pounds," and OffLot will find matching listings. You can also use filters for make, body style, price, monthly payment, seats, towing, EV range, drivetrain and delivery eligibility. Or ask Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide, to search and narrow results for you by text or voice.
Can I search by monthly payment instead of price?
Yes. OffLot's filters include monthly payment as well as total price, so you can shop by the number that matters to your budget. Keep in mind a monthly payment depends on the down payment, loan length, interest rate, taxes and fees, so a lower payment can come from a longer term that costs more overall. Each vehicle page's "What can I afford?" tool works back from a monthly budget so you can see the full picture.
What kinds of vehicles are on OffLot?
The OffLot preview has about 2,250 listings, roughly 900 new and 1,350 used, across many makes. Body styles range from sedans and SUVs to pickup trucks, vans, electric vehicles, hybrids and even classics. Remember that the preview listings are simulated, so they show how browsing works rather than real inventory you can buy today.
Does OffLot have used cars as well as new?
Yes. The OffLot preview includes both, with about 900 new and about 1,350 used listings. New vehicle pages show MSRP and lease estimates, while used listings show facts like price changes and days on market. All preview listings, including their histories, are simulated. When you shop used for real, always ask for the vehicle history, service records and an independent inspection.
What is the OffLot research center?
The research center is OffLot's library for learning before you buy. It includes model pages, expert reviews, buying guides on topics like EVs, trucks and money, education articles that explain things like financing and fees, and manufacturer videos. It is a good place to narrow down which models fit your needs before you start comparing specific listings.
Does OffLot have car reviews?
Yes. OffLot's research center includes expert reviews alongside model pages, buying guides and manufacturer videos. Reviews are a helpful starting point, but it is also worth checking safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, fuel economy at fueleconomy.gov, and open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you decide. A test drive on roads you actually use is still the best final check.
Can I compare cars side by side on OffLot?
Yes. OffLot lets you compare several vehicles side by side so you can line up price, specs, features and estimated costs in one view. This is useful when you have narrowed things down to a few options and want to see the trade-offs clearly. You can also ask Sophie, OffLot's AI guide, to compare vehicles and explain the differences in plain English.
How do I save cars I like on OffLot?
You can save favorites as you browse, and they stay together so you can come back to them later or add them to a side-by-side comparison. Saved vehicles, along with any offers you make, are easiest to track from My OffLot, your personal dashboard. In the preview, the listings themselves are simulated, but saving and comparing work so you can try the experience.
What is My OffLot?
My OffLot is your personal dashboard on OffLot. It is where you can see vehicles you have saved and track any offers you have made, including their status, such as whether an offer was accepted or is being reviewed by the dealer. You need a free OffLot account to make offers and see them in My OffLot.
Do I need an account to use OffLot?
No account is needed to browse, search, use the research center, compare vehicles, see cost estimates or chat with Sophie. You need a free OffLot account to make an offer on a vehicle, and having an account lets you keep track of your offers and their status in My OffLot, your dashboard.
How do I create an OffLot account?
You can sign up for a free OffLot account on offlotai.com. You will be prompted to create one when you try something that needs it, such as making an offer on a vehicle. Once you have an account, My OffLot shows your offers and their status. Creating an account is free, and the site's disclosures page at /demo-disclosures explains how the preview handles information.
What does "What this vehicle really costs" mean on OffLot?
It is a section on every OffLot vehicle page that shows the full cost picture, not just the sticker. It includes an out-the-door estimate (price plus illustrative tax and fees), a lease estimate for new vehicles, a "What can I afford?" tool that works back from your monthly budget, and listing facts such as days on market, price changes and MSRP for new vehicles. It gives facts only and never labels a listing a great deal or overpriced.
How does OffLot estimate the out-the-door price?
On OffLot, the out-the-door estimate adds the vehicle price, an illustrative 6.25% sales tax and $685 in fees. It is meant to show how the total comes together, not to quote your actual cost. Real taxes and fees vary by state, county and dealer, so when you shop for real, ask the dealer for an itemized out-the-door price in writing and check your state's tax and registration rules with your DMV.
Can I see lease estimates on OffLot?
Yes, for new vehicles. Each new vehicle page on OffLot includes a lease estimate where you can choose 24, 36 or 48 months and 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000 miles per year. The estimates are illustrative and help you compare lease and buy side by side. Actual lease offers depend on the lender's money factor, residual value, incentives, your credit and local taxes.
What is the "What can I afford?" tool on OffLot?
It is a calculator on every OffLot vehicle page that works backward from a monthly budget. Instead of starting with a price, you enter what you can comfortably pay each month and see what that means for the total you could spend. It is a helpful reality check before falling for a vehicle, since a payment can look manageable while the loan length and interest add up.
What are listing facts on OffLot?
Listing facts are the plain data points shown on each OffLot vehicle page: how many days the vehicle has been on the market, any price changes, and the MSRP for new vehicles. OffLot shows these as facts and does not label any listing a good deal or overpriced. You can use them, along with your own research, to decide how you want to approach an offer.
What is Open lot mode on OffLot?
Open lot mode is a phone-friendly checklist on every OffLot vehicle page, under "At the dealership?" It walks you through matching the VIN, doing a walk-around, checking tires, doing a cold start, test-driving your real route, and trying your car seats and cargo. It also lists questions to ask, like the out-the-door price in writing, government versus dealer fees, removable add-ons, open recalls, remaining warranty and an independent inspection.
What does "Build your deal" mean on OffLot?
Build your deal is OffLot's step-by-step way to put a purchase together from a vehicle page. You choose accessories, pick buy, lease or cash, consider optional protection products, review financing examples from sample lenders and then see everything on a final review page. From there you can choose Buy now or make an offer. In the preview, lenders and programs are illustrative and no real transaction takes place.
How do offers work on OffLot?
On the final review page of a deal, below Buy now, there is a small "Make an offer" option. You need a free OffLot account, and you can offer an out-the-door price or, if you are financing or leasing, a monthly payment. Some offers are accepted right away; otherwise the dealer reviews it and reaches out or accepts. Offers stay open through the end of the month, and you can track them in My OffLot.
How long does an offer on OffLot stay open?
Offers made on OffLot stay open through the end of the month in which you make them. During that time the offer may be accepted right away or the dealer may review it and reach out or accept. You can check the status of each offer in My OffLot, your dashboard. In the preview, offers and dealers are simulated, so no real agreement is formed.
Can I make an offer as a monthly payment on OffLot?
Yes, if you are financing or leasing. OffLot lets you make an offer either as an out-the-door price or as a monthly payment when your deal includes a loan or lease. A payment offer is convenient, but remember the total cost also depends on the term, rate and amount down, so check the full numbers on the final review page before you send it.
Does getting pre-approved on OffLot affect my credit?
No. OffLot's pre-approval step says plainly that getting pre-approved does not affect your credit score, and offers are more likely to be accepted when you are pre-approved. In the preview, the Social Security number and date of birth fields are locked, and answers are never saved or sent. Outside OffLot, lender pre-approvals may use a soft or hard inquiry, so ask each lender which one they use.
Can I value my trade-in on OffLot?
Yes. OffLot's Trade-in and Sell my car pages help you estimate your trade equity, which is your vehicle's value minus what you still owe on it. Positive equity can go toward your next vehicle, while negative equity means you owe more than it is worth. It is smart to compare estimates from more than one source and get your loan payoff amount from your lender.
Does OffLot offer home delivery?
In the preview, some listings are marked as eligible for home delivery, and you can filter search results by delivery. Because OffLot is in preview, real deliveries are not happening yet; the delivery flag shows how the feature is meant to work. If a dealer offers delivery when you buy for real, ask about any delivery fee, inspection time and return terms in writing.
Can I use OffLot on my phone?
Yes. OffLot works in your phone's web browser, and some features are designed with phones in mind, like Open lot mode, a checklist you can pull up while standing next to a vehicle at a dealership. You can also talk with Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide, by voice or text from your phone.
Is my information safe on OffLot?
OffLot is in preview, and its disclosures page at offlotai.com/demo-disclosures explains what the preview is and how it handles information, so that is the best place to check the details. One example from the preview: on the pre-approval step, Social Security number and date of birth fields are locked, and answers are never saved or sent. As with any site, avoid sharing sensitive details you are not comfortable providing.
Where can I read OffLot's privacy and disclosure information?
OffLot's disclosures are at offlotai.com/demo-disclosures. That page explains what the preview is, that listings, prices, dealers and lender programs are simulated, and how information is handled. If you have a question about privacy that the page doesn't answer, check it first and then reach out through the site rather than relying on assumptions.
Does OffLot sell my information to dealers?
OffLot does not publish policies in this FAQ beyond what is on its disclosures page, so the accurate answer is to check offlotai.com/demo-disclosures for how information is handled. What is clear about the preview is that real purchases, credit checks and deliveries are not live, and the pre-approval step's Social Security number and date of birth fields are locked, with answers never saved or sent.
Will a salesperson call me if I use OffLot?
OffLot is built to be buyer-first with no sales pressure, so you can browse, research, compare and use Sophie without talking to anyone. If you choose to make an offer, the dealer may review it and reach out or accept, which is part of how offers work. In the preview, dealers and offers are simulated. For details on how information is used, see offlotai.com/demo-disclosures.
What is Adventure Axiom?
Adventure Axiom is the company that powers OffLot. It is based in Corpus Christi, Texas, and builds the OffLot shopping experience at offlotai.com, including the search, research center, cost tools and Sophie, OffLot's AI buying guide. OffLot is currently in preview, so its listings, dealers and lender programs are simulated while the platform is developed.
Can OffLot help me decide between leasing and buying?
Yes, by showing the numbers side by side. On new vehicle pages, OffLot shows both an out-the-door estimate and a lease estimate with term and mileage options, and Build your deal lets you choose buy, lease or cash. Sophie can explain how leases work, including mileage limits and what happens at lease end. The right choice depends on how long you keep cars, how much you drive and your budget.
Can I filter by towing capacity or EV range on OffLot?
Yes. OffLot's search filters include towing capacity and EV range, along with make, body style, price, monthly payment, seats, drivetrain and delivery. You can also just describe what you need, like "a pickup that can tow a 7,000-pound camper" or "an EV with at least 300 miles of range," and OffLot or Sophie will narrow the results. Always confirm towing ratings and range for the exact configuration.
Why should I trust OffLot's information?
OffLot aims to earn trust by sticking to facts. It shows prices, cost estimates and listing facts without labeling any vehicle a great deal or overpriced, and it is upfront that the preview's listings, dealers and lender programs are simulated. For important checks, it points you to sources like NHTSA for recalls and fueleconomy.gov for efficiency. You should still verify details with the dealer and get anything important in writing.
Is OffLot available outside Texas?
OffLot's preview is a website anyone can visit at offlotai.com, and its company, Adventure Axiom, is based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Because the preview listings and dealers are simulated, there is no real inventory tied to your location yet. Cost estimates use an illustrative 6.25% tax and $685 in fees, so check your own state's tax and registration rules with your DMV for real numbers.