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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        [ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP LETTERHEAD]


                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the inclusion in 
this registration statement on Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 (Registration No. 
333-70621) of our report dated February 3, 1999 on our audits of the 
consolidated balance sheets of autobytel.com inc. and subsidiaries as of 
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of 
operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years ended 
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. We also consent to the reference to our firm 
under the caption "Experts".

                                        /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Los Angeles, California
March 22, 1999