Gas above $4 a gallon changes the ownership math for some vehicles much faster than it changes the sticker price. A large SUV or performance pickup can still make perfect sense for someone who tows, hauls, or needs its capabilities, but casual … [Read more...] about 9 Vehicles That Make Less Financial Sense When Gas Costs More Than $4 a Gallon
A daily driver does not become a bad car simply because its birthday keeps getting farther away. A well-maintained 15-year-old vehicle with reasonable mileage can make more sense than a neglected 8-year-old car with fewer miles. That makes the … [Read more...] about How Old Is Too Old for a Daily Driver? Mileage May Be the Wrong Number to Watch
The Federal Reserve raised its target federal funds rate by a quarter percentage point on September 16, moving the range to 3.75% to 4%. That decision does not automatically add a quarter point to your next car loan, but it can put upward pressure on … [Read more...] about The Fed’s September Decision Could Change What You Pay for Your Next Car
The average U.S. auto loan payment reached $697 in March 2026, according to Experian. That figure sounds manageable until the rest of the car's monthly bill shows up. A salary that makes a $697 payment easy for one household could make it … [Read more...] about The Average Car Payment Is Nearly $700 — What Salary Actually Makes That Affordable?
A repaired crash can leave a used car looking perfectly respectable while hiding a serious question inside the steering wheel: Who replaced the airbag? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, has warned used-car buyers about … [Read more...] about Bought a Used Car That Was Wrecked? NHTSA Says Check Who Replaced the Airbag
A paid-off car with a dead engine creates a strange money problem: the repair can feel enormous even though the monthly payment has disappeared. Replacing the engine may cost thousands, but replacing the entire car can create a much larger bill that … [Read more...] about The Car Needs an Engine but It’s Paid Off — Here’s the Math Before Replacing It
The 2027 model year has not taken over dealership lots as quickly as automakers expected. That unusual delay could create a useful opening for shoppers who would rather buy a 2026 vehicle than pay extra for the newest badge. At the end of August, … [Read more...] about 2027 Cars Are Arriving Late — Why That Could Mean Better Deals on 2026 Models
A dealer can lower your car payment without lowering the price of the car. One common way involves stretching the loan an extra 12 months, which reduces the amount due each month but gives interest more time to accumulate. That distinction matters … [Read more...] about The Dealer Lowered the Payment but Added 12 Months to the Loan: Did You Actually Save Anything?
