What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Compare used-car-focused stocks such as Carvana and CarMax with diversified auto retailers such as AutoNation and Lithia by looking beyond revenue and vehicle volume. Match each company’s business mix, unit economics, financing exposure, inventory and costs, then compare cash flow and valuation using the same reporting period and market date. Fiscal 2025 filings offer useful examples, but they do not establish which stock is cheapest or most attractive today.
Start with the business model, not the label
“Used-car retailer” and “traditional auto retailer” are not cleanly separate categories. Diversified dealer groups sell used vehicles, while used-focused retailers can also earn money from wholesale sales, financing and complementary products. Compare the businesses actually reported in each company’s filings, including where revenue and gross profit come from.
- Carvana: an online-led used-vehicle retailer whose model includes vehicle acquisition, reconditioning, logistics and fulfillment, alongside wholesale, financing-related and complementary-product revenue.
- CarMax: a used-auto retailer with retail, wholesale and auto-financing businesses, offering online and in-store transactions across more than 255 locations, according to its company overview accessed in 2026. Use its latest filing for current operating and financial measures. CarMax company overview
- AutoNation: a diversified dealership group reporting new and used vehicle sales, customer financing, parts and maintenance, plus businesses such as collision centers, auctions and an auto finance company.
- Lithia Motors: a diversified dealer group operating in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, with vehicle, finance-and-insurance (F&I), and repair and maintenance activities.
These differences affect how revenue is earned, what costs are required and how sensitive results may be to vehicle prices, credit conditions and service demand. Do not assume that similar-looking “auto retail” labels mean the same mix of businesses.
Compare demand and unit growth with consistent definitions
Retail units help show customer demand and operating scale, but definitions matter. Carvana’s 2025 Form 10-K defines retail units sold as vehicles sold to customers during the period, including retail marketplace partner vehicles and net of returns under its seven-day return policy. It reported 596,641 retail units in fiscal 2025, up from 416,348 in 2024. Those company-defined figures should not be treated as directly comparable with another retailer’s unit count unless the other company’s definition and treatment of partner sales and returns are checked.
#1 Best Overall
- 4 Types in 1 Set: The package includes 2 packs vehicle inspection mirrors and 2 pieces LED inspection mirror, you can choose different style for different occasions, enough to meet your inspection needs
- Easy to Use: With the retractable rod and the neck mirror, the length of the handheld rod can be adjusted and the neck mirror on a stick can be rotated 360 degrees according to your needs, facilitating the inspection of hard-to-reach areas
- LED Lighted: the 2pcs LED inspection mirror has 2 extra bright LED lamp on the top of each mirror, which provides convenience for night observation, and helps you to inspect the dark and hard-to-see areas
- Comfortable to Hold: Designed with the stainless steel rod and the grooved rubber handle, the telescoping mirror is not easy to break, non-slip, comfortable to hold and easy to operate, so you can easily perform checking and adjust makeup
- Wide Application: The telescoping mirror is suitable for toolmakers, machinists, engineers, mechanics, inspectors and dentists. And the inspection mirror can be stored in garage, toolbox, vehicle, car, dressing table or bag
Alongside unit counts, compare comparable-store sales, average selling prices and market share where companies disclose them. Separate organic performance from growth through acquisitions, and check whether marketplace-partner transactions or return-policy adjustments affect the reported number. Use fiscal periods that line up; do not compare one company’s full year with another’s quarter without labeling the mismatch.
Separate vehicle gross profit from total gross profit per unit
Gross profit per unit (GPU) can describe materially different things. Retail vehicle GPU focuses on the vehicle transaction; a company’s total GPU may include profit from financing-related activity, wholesale or other revenue streams. A larger total-GPU figure is not evidence that the vehicle itself was sold at a larger margin.
Rank #2
- Accurate Paint Thickness Measurement: Quickly and precisely check your car’s paint thickness to detect any previous repairs or repainting, helping you make informed decisions when buying used vehicles.
- Magnetic Tip, No Batteries Needed: Designed with a magnetic tip, this paint thickness tester works reliably without batteries, perfect for outdoor use in any weather—even on dirty or wet surfaces.
- Micrometer-Level Precision: Equipped with a color-coded scale, this gauge lets you easily read the thickness of paint and filler layers for thorough vehicle inspections.
- Portable and Durable Design: Lightweight and pen-shaped, this gauge is easy to carry and made from high-quality materials, making it perfect for on-the-go inspections stored conveniently in your glove box or tool kit.
- Versatile Application: Whether you’re a professional appraiser, a used car buyer, or inspecting your own vehicle, this paint thickness tester is a must-have tool to detect hidden bodywork and ensure vehicle integrity.
Carvana reported fiscal 2025 retail vehicle gross profit of $3,315 per unit and total gross profit of $7,026 per unit. In 2024, those figures were $3,312 and $6,908, respectively. The figures are company-reported and use distinct definitions; compare them with peers only after confirming which revenue streams each peer includes in its GPU.
Carvana’s 2025 filing also reported $14.5 billion in retail vehicle sales, $4.1 billion in wholesale sales and revenues, and $1.7 billion in other sales and revenues, primarily gains on sales of originated finance receivables and commissions on complementary products. These amounts illustrate why vehicle sales alone do not describe the company’s full economics. They are revenue figures, not profit contributions.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Powerful Magnet: Maximum suction weight up to 5 lbs; easily finds and grabs lost items in hard-to-reach areas. Ideal for automotive, construction, HVAC, and home projects—making it one of the most practical gifts for men (Note: Suction strength depends on the contact area and material of the item)
- Telescoping Handle: Made from durable aluminum alloy with a shockproof design. The telescoping inspection mirror and magnet handle extend up to 34.65 inches to reach tight spots. Features an anti-slip, oil-resistant ergonomic grip for effortless control
- Super Bright Flashlight: Features 3 bright LED bulbs, a magnetic head/base, and a bendable led flashlight stick with a 360° swivel neck. Holds up to 2.5 lbs and includes a 2-inch stainless steel pocket clip to illuminate and retrieve tools in dark, narrow places
- 360° Rotation Inspection Mirrors: Premium glass mirrors for flawless reflection. The all-angled ball joint provides 360° free viewing without swinging. Includes both a round telescoping mirror and a square telescoping mirror with light to serve as an indispensable mechanic mirror for dark engine bays and tight spaces
- Compact Portable Tool Bag: Small size with large capacity, made of wear-resistant Oxford cloth. Features an extended hand strap, an extra pocket with hook-and-loop fasteners, and internal elastic bands to keep your inspection mirror telescoping set neatly organized
Look at profit mix, not just revenue mix
A segment that generates a large share of revenue may contribute a much smaller share of gross profit. AutoNation reported that new-vehicle sales represented 49% of its total revenue but 13% of its total gross profit in fiscal 2025. That difference makes revenue mix an incomplete proxy for earnings power.
Lithia’s fiscal 2025 Form 10-K reported $37.635 billion in total revenue, comprising $18.703 billion from new vehicles, $13.372 billion from used vehicles, $1.474 billion from F&I and $4.087 billion from aftersales. These are revenue categories, not profit measures; compare their margins and contribution to gross profit or operating income before drawing conclusions about which activities matter most.
Rank #4
- This large security inspection mirror is ideal for searching under cars, trucks, heavy equipment and home safe check over-shelves and even rooftop sinks.
- Lighted Under Vehicle Inspection Mirror- features lite 65-inch-long extendable pole, big PMMA crystal clear mirror, 180-degree adjustable swivel and LED light.
- Under Carriage Mirror - The heavy-duty security check mirrors allow the security officer to easily check under the vehicle without having to bend down or lose focus on their inspection task.
- Under Car Search Mirror - The security inspection mirror with light is widely used by airports, warehouses, sea ports, border checkpoints, military bases and police stations to control inbound cars or trucks.
- Durable and Portable Inspection Mirror is built with a tough rigid swivel and a hanging hole on pole for easy to carry around. The mirror come in protective film, please peel off the film on mirror to get clear view!
Parts, maintenance, repair and collision operations can add earnings streams that are distinct from vehicle transactions. Check how each company defines and reports those operations rather than assuming that “aftersales” or “service” is accounted for identically across retailers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Assess financing, inventory and operating risks
Retailers’ results depend on connected parts of the business, not just showroom or website sales. Carvana describes investment in vehicle acquisition, reconditioning, logistics, technology and fulfillment, and reports financing-related revenue among its other sales and revenues. Dealer groups also face vehicle-market and operating-cost pressures, while their service and parts activities can change the mix of earnings.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 【180° Rotation & 8 Adjustable LED Beads】The borescope camera with light features a 180° image rotating, a front camera focal range of 0.78 to 3.94 inches, and 8 adjustable LED lights for clear observation in low-light conditions.
- 【16.5 FT Cable & High Quality Endoscope】The 16.5ft semi-rigid cable is detachable and bendable, allowing easy navigation in narrow spaces and making it versatile for different applications. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, the handheld borescope is suitable for use in harsh and wet condition. The ergonomic grip design and lightweight of the endoscope allow for one-handed operation.
- 【4.3 Inch Color Screen & 1080P High-Res Picture】The HD endoscope inspection camera features a 4.3-inch color LCD screen for real-time high-definition image viewing, and is available immediately after powering on. Its user-friendly operation eliminates the need for smart phone or driver software downloads, ensuring you can work without concerns about dirtying your expensive phone. Note: The endoscope camera is not equipped for capturing pictures and videos.
- 【Wide Application】The inspection camera with light is used to inspect hard-to-access areas, and is suitable for many fields such as automobile maintenance, mechanical inspection, pipeline repair, household appliance inspection, house repair, wall structure inspection, sewer/drain pipe inspection, etc.
- 【In The Box】WINWEND digital inspection camera package includes a 4.3-inch LCD industrial endoscope, a user manual for easy setup, a USB charging cable (charging plug not included), and a set of accessories comprising a hook, magnet, and side mirror to enhance your inspection experience.
- Vehicle acquisition and resale: compare inventory levels, days supply, aging and markdowns. Changes in used-vehicle prices can affect both the cost to acquire stock and the price it can later be sold for, sometimes with a lag.
- Financing and credit: examine loan originations and sales, finance receivables, loan-sale gains, retained-loan income, credit performance and funding conditions. Loan-sale gains and income from loans held on the balance sheet have different timing and risk.
- Costs and scale: compare selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense per unit, reconditioning and logistics costs, interest expense, debt, lease obligations and liquidity. A centralized delivery network and a physical dealership footprint can have different cost structures and operating leverage.
- Customer demand: check affordability and whether financing conditions could affect purchase activity or credit outcomes.
- Capital and shareholder claims: review operating cash flow, free cash flow, debt maturities, dilution and buybacks, with consistent treatment of leases and one-time items.
Lithia said same-store new- and used-vehicle retail gross profit fell as gross profit per unit normalized toward pre-pandemic levels. It also cited higher SG&A as a share of gross profit and a higher effective tax rate as factors contributing to lower net income, partly offset by lower interest expense. This is management’s explanation of its reported results, not an independent test of causation.
Use a like-for-like comparison checklist
- Choose aligned filings: use the latest annual or quarterly filings available for every company and identify the exact fiscal period, geography and reporting basis.
- Map each business: list vehicle, wholesale, financing, F&I, service and other material operations from the companies’ segment disclosures.
- Standardize operating measures: compare unit counts and comparable-store sales only after checking definitions, partner sales, returns and acquisitions.
- Match profit measures: keep vehicle-only GPU separate from total GPU; align gross profit, operating income and any adjusted or non-GAAP measure before comparing.
- Trace earnings to cash: assess cash flow, working capital, inventory, credit performance, interest, leases and debt alongside reported earnings.
- Date valuation inputs together: use share prices, share counts and enterprise values from one common date, then calculate multiples on consistently defined financial periods and measures.
Compare valuation only after the operating work
For enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), align the enterprise-value date and the EBITDA period, and apply a consistent treatment of debt and leases. Price-to-earnings (P/E) is meaningful only when earnings are positive and comparable. For free-cash-flow yield, use the same period and treatment of one-time items and other cash-flow adjustments.
Also check dilution, buybacks and debt maturities: per-share value and balance-sheet risk can change even when operating results do not. Current prices, valuation ratios and a synchronized set of the latest quarterly results are not established by the fiscal 2025 examples here. They cannot support a current cheapest-stock ranking; refresh market data and filings before making that comparison.
What this comparison can—and cannot—tell you
A disciplined comparison can show how retailers generate gross profit, how much they depend on vehicle sales or financing, and what costs and balance-sheet exposures support their operations. It cannot, by itself, establish future returns or determine whether a stock suits a particular investor. Treat management explanations and guidance as company statements, and use the latest filings and consistently dated market data for any investment decision.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
