Car Buying

Every holiday season, dealerships deck the halls with giant red bows and “Holiday Savings Event!” banners that look like they were designed by someone who had way too much eggnog and access to a glitter cannon. And like clockwork, shoppers wander in hoping this is their moment — the magical time when prices finally drop, salespeople suddenly become generous, and deals rain down like snowflakes in a Hallmark movie.

Just when you thought the world had recovered from the Great Chip Shortage of 2021–2023, here we go again. The auto industry’s nerves are fried once more, thanks to another global spat over... yep, semiconductors! Welcome to the 2025 chip shortage. This time, it’s not a pandemic or a boat stuck in a canal causing chaos. It’s politics. Because of course it is.

During my recent UK road trip (yes, the one where I survived driving on the wrong side of the road without mowing down any sheep), I kept spotting gorgeous cars that Americans are cruelly denied. It was like walking through Willy Wonka’s factory, but instead of candy, it was hot hatches and elegant crossovers I can’t import. So let’s talk about the European cars Americans can’t buy and the ridiculous mix of politics, paperwork, and marketing bullshittery that keeps them lock

If you’ve been watching the headlines, you know the Federal Reserve finally cut rates this year. After more than a year of wallet-squeezing, the Fed dropped its benchmark rate by a quarter point in September, bringing the federal funds rate down to 4.00–4.25%. It's the first rate cut since last December. So naturally, you’d expect auto loan rates to fall too - right? Yeah, not so much. Auto loan rates in 2025 are still painfully high—and in some cases, they’re still climbi

Remember when hybrids were considered the “boring” cars? You know, the choice for practical people who brought reusable shopping bags before it was cool. Well, buckle up. Thanks to disappearing EV tax credits, sky-high tariffs, and automakers rediscovering common sense, hybrids are back in the spotlight.

Yes, the EV credit is ending—courtesy of the new tax overhaul known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (insert eyeroll), signed into law on July 4, 2025. Your window for snagging that sweet government cash closes on September 30, 2025. After that? Poof. Gone. Like your neighbor’s EV range estimate when the temperature drops below 40.

The U.S. automotive industry has been in a tariff-induced tailspin for months, thanks to a wave of import duties that have already cost automakers nearly $12 billion. Now, President Donald Trump has added a new twist: a proposed 100% tariff on imported semiconductors—the tiny but critical microchips that control everything from your power windows to your advanced driver assistance systems...

Car companies are finally giving us something to talk about. Whether you're shopping now or planning ahead, here are the new and redesigned vehicles that have my attention—for all the right reasons.

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) isn’t just a flashy name. It’s a seismic shift in how the U.S. government approaches electric vehicle incentives, car financing, and trade relationships. And if that wasn’t enough, the week wrapped up with a surprise: steep new tariffs on Japanese and Korean vehicle parts and components, adding fuel to an already volatile market. Here’s what it all means for car buyers, automakers, and the dealerships caug

If it feels like your favorite car brands are recycling last year’s models with new headlights and calling them “all-new,” you’re not wrong. The automotive industry is quietly pulling back on launching new and redesigned vehicles—and it’s not just a temporary blip. According to Kelley Blue Book, only 159 new or fully redesigned models are expected between 2025 and 2029, compared to well over 200 during the mid-2010s. So what’s driving this slowdown in new car model launches?

Proposed tax bill could save you a few hundred bucks - maybe. The U.S. House just passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (nope, not a...

Hold onto your lug nuts, folks — the international tariff rollercoaster just took another hairpin turn. After months of economic whiplash, finger-pointing, and price hikes, here’s what’s going down in the latest episode of Trade Wars: Auto Edition.

Welcome to the latest automotive apocalypse, brought to you by a new 25% tariff on imported vehicles and car parts. In this blog post, adapted from a recent episode of The Straight Shift podcast, we’re unpacking what these tariffs actually mean for you, your wallet, and the entire car industry. Spoiler alert: it’s not great.

When it comes to buying a used car—especially for a teenager or as a budget-friendly second vehicle—many people ask the same question: how old is too old? The answer, of course, depends on a variety of factors, including the car’s make and model, how it was maintained, where it’s lived, and how it’s been driven. But one thing is clear: age alone isn’t the whole story.

...We all know cars are getting smarter—but are they getting a little too smart for our own good? In this blog, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of modern car technology and asking a question most people haven’t even thought to ask: Is your car spying on you?

...Mobility, comfort, visibility, and ease of use are often more important than horsepower or infotainment systems. Some seniors are as active as ever—my neighbors put me to shame—but many face issues like arthritis, joint replacements, limited flexibility, diminished eyesight, and slower reaction times. Some use mobility aids like walkers or scooters, which adds another layer of complexity.

...“Are Honda and Toyota still reliable?” It's a fair question. Recent headlines have highlighted some less-than-stellar moments for both brands. Honda has been dealing with everything from excessive oil consumption to gearboxes that seem confused about their job description. Toyota, long considered the gold standard for reliability, has been hit with engine failures in its new Tundras, transmission issues in Tacomas, and even brake problems in the Corolla Cross. So what g

One of the best parts of my job is keeping up with all the new cars, trucks, SUVs, and yes, even minivans hitting the market. It's like a never-ending auto show, and I love seeing where each brand is headed. Especially in this era of fast-paced change, the shifts in technology, consumer demand, and government regulation are rewriting the playbook. And with a wave of all-new and redesigned models coming for the 2025 and 2026 model years, there's a lot to unpack.

As we head into a new year, one of the most common questions I get is: Should I buy a car in 2025 or wait? It's a valid question, especially with all the noise circulating online about market crashes, crumbling inventory, and sky-high prices. Let’s look beyond the clickbait and break down what’s really happening in the car market this year—and what it means if you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle in 2025.

...The average new car price in the U.S. is now flirting with $50,000. And that figure doesn’t even include luxury exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis. We’re talking everyday vehicles—SUVs, trucks, sedans. Some mainstream models, like the GMC Yukon or Jeep Wagoneer, now start over $100,000 when fully loaded. That used to be the cost of a house!