1. Open Car Handshake in ChatGPT
Open the Car Handshake plugin listing using the button above. Install or add it if prompted, then start a chat and ask ChatGPT to use Car Handshake. You can also select Car Handshake with @ in the message box. The options you see can vary with your account and device.
Naming Car Handshake tells ChatGPT which car-shopping tool you want to use. Ask for vehicles currently listed for sale, rather than just a general list of recommended models. If the plugin is unavailable in your account, you can search on carhandshake.com instead.
2. Give your search a useful starting point
Include your city or ZIP or postal code, price ceiling, preferred body style, and any must-have features. Say whether you want a new, used, or certified vehicle. Add a mileage limit if it matters. A clear first request saves you from sorting through cars that were never a good fit.
Try the example below, replacing Dallas and the other details with your own. These are example requests, not claims that matching cars are always available.
Use Car Handshake to find used SUVs near Dallas, Texas under $30,000, with fewer than 60,000 miles and Apple CarPlay. Show which requirements each listing confirms.
3. Ask what the listing actually confirms
A model name alone does not tell you which options are fitted to a particular car. Ask about the exact listing: its trim, mileage, advertised equipment, dealership location, and when its information was updated. Open the source listing to review the photos and description.
If a feature is missing from the listing, ask ChatGPT to mark it as unconfirmed. “Not listed” and “not fitted” mean different things. If there are too few matches, decide which requirement you are willing to change before widening the search.
Which of these listings explicitly confirms heated seats? Separate confirmed features from details I still need to ask the seller about. Keep my price limit unchanged.
4. Compare two to four cars you would actually consider
Once you have a shortlist, ask Car Handshake to compare the returned vehicles. Start with advertised price, mileage, trim, confirmed features, and location. Then explain your priorities: a shorter commute, room for a stroller, easier parking, or fewer miles on the odometer.
A useful comparison makes the tradeoffs visible. The cheapest car may be farther away or missing something you need. Ask which differences are supported by the listings and what remains unknown before picking a favorite.
Compare these three cars by advertised price, mileage, confirmed features, and distance. I care most about a comfortable daily commute. What should I verify before choosing one?
5. Check the price and availability before making a trip
Car Handshake shows prices published by participating dealerships and lets you check listing freshness. An advertised price is not automatically the final amount you will pay. Ask the seller for an itemized total, including applicable taxes, fees, and any conditions attached to the advertised price.
Cars can sell or change price after a listing is updated. Confirm that the specific vehicle is still available before traveling. Coverage includes participating dealerships in the United States and supported parts of Canada outside Quebec; it does not include every car for sale.
6. Contact a dealership when you are ready
You can browse, ask questions about listings, and compare cars before deciding to contact a seller. If you want Car Handshake to send an inquiry or a test-drive request, review the selected dealership and the details to be shared, then explicitly confirm the request.
A request is not a confirmed appointment or reservation. Wait for the dealership to confirm availability and timing. Prefer a website? Continue your search on carhandshake.com, where you can also open listings and compare cars.