We’ve all been there; scouring the internet for the best deals and rare finds on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist until midnight looking for the perfect potential car. Whether you are seriously looking, or hoping for some quick dopamine, every car lover has done this. However, it can become overwhelming to stay current on the 100s of car listing platforms these days. There are various filters and settings you need to save and its hard to keep track of all of them. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a unified platform where all the types of cars you normally look for were in one central location? Look no further. Built for Backroads is the solution to all of the first world’s car problems we’ve been looking for.

Founded by Paul Levitz and Kyle Roberts, Built for Backroads is a passion project that began in December 2020. Perfect timing for all of us stuck in our homes wishing for escape. Having been friends for 14 years and living in Huntington Beach, its was a no-brainer for them to team up together for this project. It was such a brilliant idea, I reached out to meet them while I was last in the LA area. Unsurprisingly, we met up at Air Water in Costa Mesa, where I quickly found Paul and Kyle to be two of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the car space. I took up a large portion of their time at the show and they both were just as interested in my story and cars as they were the Porsches on display. They are the epitome of “Car People” and it was immediately apparent. Not often do you find people that treat you like old friends when you first meet them, and its even rarer in the car arena. Putting faces to names really put their passion on display and highlighted why this endeavor makes so much sense. They absolutely love cars and want you to as well. Also, anyone willing to do a photoshoot with a clown shoe is someone I want to hang with.

Built specifically for those who appreciate driving for the sake of driving, this platform connects enthusiasts with cars designed to handle the twists and turns of scenic backroads, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional car marketplaces. Unlike other automotive platforms that cater to a broad range of vehicles, Built for Backroads focuses specifically on cars that excel on backroads—cars that offer a dynamic, engaging driving experience. The listings here aren’t your run-of-the-mill commuter vehicles; they are enthusiast cars, ranging from modern sports cars to vintage classics, all selected for their ability to make the drive as rewarding as the destination. The core of Built for Backroads is that it is a carefully curated car marketplace where your ad needs to be submitted for approval not posted. While the team isn’t actively looking to gate keep, its more to make sure the cars getting posted are ones that fit the ethos of the site. With strict but exceptionally appreciated requirements including manuals and clean titles only, unless it’s a track car, Built for Backroads does the leg work for you. The passion behind Built for Backroads bleeds through its pages.

What really sets Built for Backroads apart is the fact that the service is free to use. In a marketplace crowded with platforms charging fees to list cars or take commissions from sales, Built for Backroads operates on a different model. It’s a platform built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, driven by a love for the car community. There’s no cost for users to list their cars, and buyers can rest easy knowing they’re browsing a carefully curated selection of cars meant for the true driving experience. In a way, this platform feels more like a passion project than a business—a rare find in today’s automotive world. It’s about celebrating the cars we love and the roads they were built to conquer, not about maximizing profit. That’s something that resonates deeply with the automotive enthusiast community. Hell, they’ll even send you free stickers if you send them your address. At the time of writing this article, the below 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe was my favorite on the site. Just one example of the cool stuff that gets listed because of Paul and Kyle’s unbeatable reputation within the community.

If free wasn’t enough, the Built for Backroads duo takes their service even further thanks to their helpful resources for sellers. The Seller FAQ covers everything a prospective seller needs to know about listing a vehicle, from eligibility requirements to tips for maximizing exposure. This section answers common questions and helps sellers feel confident about the process, knowing they’re supported at every step. There is also a buyers’ tips section helping to identify scam, how to do VIN inspections and PPI notes, as well as negotiation tactics. But where their resources really stands out is the photo guide. This guide breaks down the types of photos that resonate with buyers—showing details of the exterior, interior, engine bay, and any modifications—to create a visually compelling listing. Highlighting every angle needed to ensure a perfect presentation and a clear cut guide to what photos to take of your car and tip on lighting. Coming from someone that has sold many cars, even I learned a thing or two from the guide. Again, yet another piece of what they do, but worthy of a story on its own.

As Built for Backroads continues to grow, its commitment to the enthusiast community remains its defining feature. By maintaining its focus on curated listings and a free platform, Built for Backroads is poised to continue attracting enthusiasts who want more than just a transactional experience. It’s a platform that values passion over profit and aims to elevate the car-buying process into something that celebrates the love of driving. In a world where so many car platforms focus on mass-market appeal, Built for Backroads reminds us that there’s still a place for niche, enthusiast-focused services. It’s about more than just buying and selling—it’s about connecting with people who share a deep appreciation for cars and the joy they bring. It isn’t just another car marketplace; it’s a platform built around a shared love for driving by actual enthusiasts. By offering curated listings for cars that showcase the driving experience and keeping their platform free, Built for Backroads stands as a testament to the idea that passion and community can drive a business. For enthusiasts who want more from the car-buying experience, this platform offers something truly special—the enthusiast community is alive and well.