Car Buying

...The last few years have been tough for car buyers. Thanks to pandemic-related supply chain issues, there simply weren’t enough cars to sell. That meant dealerships didn’t need to offer discounts—they could barely keep inventory on the lot. But 2024 is different.

So... we had an election last week, and that means it's time for everyone's favorite game: speculating what the new administration might mean for various industries. In the case of the automotive world, that speculation matters more than you might think. Automakers and their suppliers make up the largest manufacturing sector in the U.S., accounting for a full 3% of our gross domestic product. That may not sound like a lot, but for a single industry, it’s a huge slice of the e

Hurricane Helene—and then her equally unwelcome cousin, Hurricane Milton—came barreling through the Southeast last week, hammering Western North Carolina and parts of Florida. Here in the Charlotte area, we were lucky. Some wind, some rain, but nothing like the devastation in the mountains. So this week, I want to talk about how these hurricanes are going to impact the automotive industry—beyond just the usual flood car warnings.

After years of chaos and confusion, the automotive industry is finally showing signs of recovery in 2024. From empty dealer lots and outrageous markups to a resurgence in inventory and incentives, a lot has changed. If you're in the market for a new or used car—or just trying to make sense of where things stand—this article will break down the current state of the auto industry and what it means for you as a car buyer.

In the age of Amazon and DoorDash, it’s no surprise that the automotive world has followed suit. Online car dealerships promise a seamless, hassle-free experience—browse from your couch, get “no-haggle” pricing, and have the car delivered to your front door. Sounds perfect, right? But when it comes to one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, convenience shouldn’t replace caution. While buying a car online can be quick and easy, it also comes with risks you may not see

Leasing a car can feel like a smart way to drive something new without a long-term commitment, but what happens when your situation changes—or your lease just isn’t working for you anymore? Whether you’ve gone over your mileage limit, need a different vehicle, or want to escape high monthly payments, here’s what you need to know about getting out of a lease without wrecking your wallet.

Buying a car isn’t like grabbing a gallon of milk or picking your shoe size off the shelf. It’s a serious investment, and deciding between new or used? That’s where the real fun begins. (And by “fun,” we mean endless Googling, second-guessing, and probably a mild headache.) Let’s get one thing straight—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.

Let’s be honest—car dealerships have a reputation. And while many salespeople are perfectly professional and straight-forward, others have mastered the art of what one of my favorite clients brilliantly dubbed: bullshittery. It’s the perfect term for the smoke-and-mirrors tactics that get used to pressure you, confuse you, or flat-out trick you into making a deal you’ll regret before you hit your first red light.

...Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used car, you can usually get a better deal by negotiating with the car salesperson. A little preparation beforehand can help up your bargaining power when you hit the dealership — or let you know when it’s time to walk away.

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Ah yes, the Big Holiday Sales Event — where dealerships roll out the inflatable eagles, crank up the patriotic music, and plaster everything with red, white, and blue “SALE!” banners like it’s the Fourth of July exploded in their showroom. But is a holiday weekend actually the best time to buy a car? Or is it just another case of dealership smoke and mirrors? Spoiler alert: sometimes, you can score a solid deal. But only if you do it right.

...If you're thinking about leasing just to get a cheaper monthly payment, you're cruising straight into trouble. Some dealerships actually use leasing as a sales tactic to put people into cars they can’t truly afford — often without the buyer even realizing they've signed a lease. Yep, that happens more than you think.

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