It’s Over: The Car Market Bubble Just Popped

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Let's talk about the Used Car market – which auto values are rising / falling the most – and what this means for you – Enjoy! Add me on Instagram: GPStephan | Check Out The CarEdge Blog:

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CAR DEPRECIATION:
In 2021, because of a shortage of auto manufacturing, a limited supply of parts, record-low interest rates, and a surge of demand – used car prices were 40% higher than the year prior.

In 2025, new cars are still $12,000 more expensive than they were a few years ago. The typical family would have to spend 70-80% of their entire years’ pay just to buy a vehicle at today’s prices (double from what it used to be in 1990) and all of this simply means: car prices are outpacing incomes, and more buyers – than ever – have payments that exceed $1000 per month month.

HIGHER AUTO DEBT:
85% of new car purchases are bought with debt, along with 55% of Used Car Purchases. As prices rise, 5% of all auto loans in the United States are more than 90 days behind on their payments, subprime loans have hit a record high delinquency, and 39% of all buyers are underwater on their purchase.

To make matters worse, an Iowa Law Review found that – contrary to popular belief (over the last 10 years), car dealerships have begun making more profits from the financing of cars, rather than the car sale itself.

US Auto Loan Balances have increased to $1.64 trillion dollars – which, is now the second-largest debt category, after mortgages.

RISING INVENTORY:
Dodge currently sits on 111 days worth of supply, Ford has 99, and Lincoln has 127 days – reflecting a lot of unsold inventory and plenty of discounts. On the other hand, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are still in high demand, with certain models under 40 days worth of supply – so, prices throughout these automakers are staying firm.

TARIFF IMPACT ON USED AND NEW CARS:
Analysts estimate the tariffs will add around $3,000 to the cost of U.S.-built cars and $6,000 to vehicles made in Mexico or Canada. There's also talk that automakers might actually stop making lower-priced cars altogether if they just aren’t profitable anymore – and if certain parts get too expensive or hard to find, we could also see more production delays.

CarEdge pointed out: “Retail customers that want to purchase a car at a sub $20,000 price-point are being forced to look at older used vehicles because the new ones have increased in value beyond their budget.”

If you’re in the market for a car, I recommend to take your time, don’t be afraid to negotiate, and – most importantly – if you get a loan: please shop it around to find the best option.

In terms of what you could afford, the general advice follows what’s called the 20/4/10 rule, which means: stick with a 20% down payment, on a 4 year loan, where you spend no more than 10% of your monthly income on transportation.

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  • @danger2635 says:

    The best car is a paid off car even if it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles!

    • @GrahamStephan says:

      Totally – I paid off my Model 3 (had 3.375% interest, too low to want to get rid of early) – and it’s actually pretty cool not to have the payment anymore

    • @Jeff__M says:

      Paid cash for my 2012 Camry in January of 2015. Best financial decision ever. Still driving it.

    • @scarfaceENT says:

      @@Jeff__Mhow much did u get it for?
      Are $7K-13K cars worth it?

    • @saywhatnow57 says:

      @@Jeff__M I’ve always had Toyotas I bought new (and drove for 10 years). BUT, I paid cash for a 100k/mi honda accord for my daughter that was previously driven by an old lady. The interior still looks new and exterior also still shines up nice. It runs exceptionally well for something I paid so little for. And on top of all of that, it’s loaded. BMWs of the same age are not even as nice. It’s had me re-thinking my entire past history of buying cars.

    • @Jeff__M says:

      @@scarfaceENTI paid 16,500 with 30k miles on it. Car was 2 years old when I bought. All I’ve done is fluids, brakes and 3 sets of tires lol. Yes 7-13k cars are worth it but it depends on the car.

  • @HooviesGarage says:

    Eh it’s not that bad. I only have 1.4 million dollars in car debt.

  • @GarageGeek says:

    I bought new diesel HD Truck March 23, 2020. Paid 44k. Can you believe I used the pandemic as a negotiating tactic for a LOWER price! It’s wild how things turned out. A year later the dealer wanted to buy it back for more than I paid! And today comparable new truck costs $20k more than I paid. I now have it paid off and I am going to keep it forever.

    • @wtDrake says:

      44k. Ouch. I paid 16k for a car that still runs great 7 years later.

    • @Whiskey_Jane says:

      My fx was written off and worth 10k more, what a time to be alive ❤😂

    • @ironwolph says:

      Lucky. I bought a 2021 F250 in 21 and it was $78k no negotiating.. lol

    • @ironmyno says:

      @@wtDrake I paid $3800 for an 04 F150 back in 2022.. cash… I get offers to buy it every time I drive it. Its the 4.6 2 valve V8… SHould be good for 300k miles.. Im at 190k and I drive it on weekends mostly just to keep the gaskets from leaking….. I’t’ll out last me..

    • @roareward says:

      @@ironwolph I think the bigger problem is when people who don’t have retirement set and are buying very expensive vehicles or vehicles that are way out of their budget. They equate I can buy vs I should buy. Now if your retirement and finances are all set and you have the money to just buy the vehicle. Sure do whatever you want. Unless it is a work or an investment vehicle, they are the worst thing you can spend money on. So generally it is best to pay as little as you can and keep it as long as you can, ideally at least 15 -20 years in my opinion.

  • @Tech-Kino2685 says:

    as someone who works in the car industry, it’s absolutely horrible. Even some of the richest people with top-tier credit that I deal with can’t even get a really good interest rate. You’re better off just keeping a car you got unless you really have to get a new car

    • @niciassmith1204 says:

      Isn’t the under $35k price point still doing well? I bought a car for around $19k and it was still a few thousand over what it should be

    • @Matt-r9s9f says:

      They’re not rich if they borrow

    • @EspinosaSalvador says:

      please if you are interested to do investment this woman is very good trust me you can find her on face-
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    • @gamba3685 says:

      Are people still buying despite this? Or is this actually causing a slow down in purchasing.

    • @Elementfit says:

      @@Matt-r9s9f actually they might be. When you think about the fact that you could spend $30,000 outright on a depreciating asset or you could get a loan which at this point probably the best is 3-4%… and you keep the car out of 48 no more than 60 month payoff, if you invest that other money, even with a Robo investing platform, you’re going to earn anywhere between 5% to probably 8% on that money that you otherwise would’ve just thrown away in the beginning and watched your car depreciate… in both situations, a reliable car that you keep well after it’s paid off is the ultimate pay off, but if you’re disciplined in the way that I discussed, you’ll end up on top with more money

  • @carquestionsanswered says:

    My dealership has been super slow over the last month… Think it’s going to get worse this summer too.

  • @InevitableV says:

    Thanks for this video, phenomenal and well explained as always!

    I sold my 2017 Mazda CX-5 in 2022 for a 6k profit and bought a 2012 Honda Pilot cash. I’ve spent about 6k in the last three years in maintenance. I will no longer complain about costly but necessary repairs.

  • @JakeMason00 says:

    This video is a good reminder to keep up on your cars maintenance to avoid having to buy a new car for as long as you can

    • @GrahamStephan says:

      100%!

    • @EspinosaSalvador says:

      please if you are interested to do investment this woman is very good trust me you can find her on face-
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    • @UncleSwell707 says:

      You’re not lying. 264,000 miles on my 2019 Honda Accord and it still runs like new. I do stay on top of maintenance, full synthetic oil, and put premium gas in it.

    • @sammccallum8178 says:

      @@UncleSwell707 you must drive for work or else have a helluva commute!

    • @Suotos says:

      My cars engine just blew out, in a apparently unpreventable overheating issue due to a bad sensor. 😢 time for a new stress in a unpopped bubble

  • @finger2214 says:

    Last time I bought a car was in 2020. Cost was $23k out the door. I financed like 90% of the cost. But that was only to lock in the lowest interest rate I could get, for the longest term I could get. Then in the first month, I put like $11k-$12k toward the loan. And paid the remaining balance over the next year. Total interest paid was only like $300. I say this because if anyone else is doing it this way, it would really skew your numbers. I took out a larger loan, at a longer term. I just paid it off a lot faster.

    • @stonerhino83 says:

      If you could afford to pay 12k a month on it, why not just save for 2 months before buying it? Why finance it at all?

  • @LeakyWadersAdventureClub says:

    Greed has killed America.

    • @bvstos5931 says:

      I think greed has progressively gotten worse in the last 20 years and thats why we have ridiculously high prices everywhere because its a “follow the leader” type of game and unless it all gets destroyed, its gonna get worse.

    • @hamptonmanufacturing3566 says:

      It’s not greed that is killing America. It is the fact that the US dollar is the worlds reserve currency. That’s what’s killing America. Look into it you’ll see.

    • @Arrowmfg says:

      We just need some innovators to shake it up and create stuff that is really cheap in order to really shock big brand automotive companies into playing a different game. Either that or bite the bullet and import cheap Chinese cars to force American manufacturers to just lower prices to compete.

    • @pojack9979 says:

      Greed isn’t the problem. People who are willing to pay inflated prices are.

    • @YogiTheBearMan says:

      @@pojack9979is that a example of greed though? Wanting/expecting more than you need or your fair share at whatever cost.
      And what are you supposed to do, magically no longer need a car to go to work? Living close to work costs money too. You going to just manufacture your own car?
      I get your point to a degree though. Being able to work on your own car to save money is a great way to push back against high repair prices for example. Installing new rotors and brake pads is really easy for example.

  • @tatumthruston5119 says:

    This car market situation is honestly crushing people. It’s not just about the price of the car anymore—it’s the interest rates, the insurance, the maintenance. I’ve seen folks lock themselves into 7-year car loans with payments higher than their rent. Something’s gotta give.

    • @Spencer10246 says:

      Not defending the predatory car market but that’s just wild financial irresponsibility

    • @yaboirolly says:

      @@Spencer10246Right?! Like why have a 1k car note. There’s used cars that you can pay $300-400 a month with no money down. They do the same job. Get you from point A to point B

    • @XxMusclecarsxX says:

      Home driveway mechanics will make a comeback. Get an older lower tech car and find a decent mechanic and you’re good

    • @bvoyelr says:

      ​@@XxMusclecarsxX It’d have to be pretty friggin’ old at this point. Even a 15 year old car has some major tech in it.

    • @TheCarpenterUnion says:

      Breaking news: Americans irresponsible with money, looking for government to bail them out. /s

      Ya, it’s a lack of accountability and blatent stupidity. You don’t need a car every 5 years, you don’t even need one every 10. I’m 30. I make 6 figures. I drive 25, 20, and 10 year old vehicles. I own a small home in a large market. My net worth is top 10% my age. All I did was get a bachelor’s degree and have ambition since high school. I moved out at 19. Parents engrained in me that I have to work for what I want. It’s not difficult, but simply living not like a degenerate gets you to the top 10%. Crazy.

  • @GunGlutton says:

    You have to make $110,000 just to be able to afford a new Honda civic

    • @GrahamStephan says:

      Insane

    • @jpmking9635 says:

      Don’t let this distract you from the fact that Hector is going to be running three Honda civics with spoon engines, and on top of that, he just went into Harry’s and bought three t66 turbos with nos, and a motec exhaust system

    • @amitgota says:

      Trust me no one got broke buying civic it’s the stupid trucks stupid elective vehicles stupid fast moving German ones……. because if you buy a Civic or a Corolla or a Camry or a RAV4 or a CRV no matter how expensive it looks you can sell it without too much of depreciation. Why have a look at the used ones?…. just don’t buy any fun card or an environmental friendly car that’s it…

    • @GunGlutton says:

      @@amitgotathat wasn’t the point of my comment brah

  • @genxtechguy says:

    Well, to be fair, and according to hundreds of YouTube channels, the car and housing market bubbles have been “popping” many thousands of times in the past 2yrs. True story.

  • @mannyvidsnyc says:

    People: “I want a luxury car.”
    Me: “every car you can’t pay cash for is a luxury!”

  • @midnightz317 says:

    Audi Parts Consultant here. Those who bought the new Audi EV cars got screwed the most on depreciation. If you bought an Etron GT the amount you’re upside down on the car is insane. The sales people can’t move inventory and the amount of cars coming in to be serviced has slowed down. Our parts haven’t even been hit with Tariffs either.

    • @LifeisGudAlways says:

      All EVs! VW, Porsche, Mach E, Lucid, Fiskar (now gone) Tesla etc… Huge hits in depreciation.

  • @ReggieLussier says:

    It’s horrible how these dealerships try to take advantage of you. A few years ago I was in an accident (I was not at fault) and even with the money I got from insurance. It still wasn’t enough and I was pressed for time to get a new car. No matter where I went, these car salesmen kept trying to over sell and suggest leases despite saying I wanted used not brand new. And when I finally found one around my budget (still more then I would like to spend but it was the best I could find for my needs), they still tried to over sell me on the loan. I hate car buying. I wish America was more public transportation friendly because I hate driving.

  • @mickjustmick2177 says:

    So what you’re saying is, the car bubble hasn’t popped and prices will continue to rise. Got it.

  • @trekadvisor2865 says:

    Buy a beaters. Learn to fix a car. The more skills you have, the more useful in life you will be.

  • @SmartPracticeSuccess says:

    I bought an ‘02 Honda Civic in ‘05 and put half down in cash. My first car. I paid it off early and drove it for 18 years total. It was on its last legs and I needed a new one, but I kept putting it off because I didn’t want a car payment.

    I was finally able to buy a brand new ‘23 Civic in 2023 for cash. It was an unexpected one-time thing that I normally wouldn’t be able to do. SOOOO grateful to have no car payments! I’ve experienced job losses (multiple) and serious medical issues since, so I’m especially glad to have no car payment. It’s a beautiful car and I’m super happy with it.

  • @fastfarmer814 says:

    I just became a car salesman a couple months ago. It breaks my heart to see how many young families come in thousands of dollars underwater on their current cars and trading them in for a new one. It’s not just corporate greed, it’s also the keeping up with the Joneses and lack of financial education in America.

    • @fastfarmer814 says:

      For the love of all things holy y’all please stop buying cars you can’t afford. Something that’s 3 to 5 years old with 40 to 60,000 miles is totally fine.

    • @Toaster-v1z says:

      ​@fastfarmer814 nowadays, yes. Cars last way longer than they used to.

    • @LokochonWolf says:

      @@fastfarmer814in my opinion precovid models are actually better or have better feel than new top end models as well. For tha average person 5 years old is the golden range. Rates might not be the best but gives you the best bang for buck

    • @derkong7114 says:

      Should be illegal to have an underwater car loan….

    • @sammccallum8178 says:

      @@fastfarmer814 honestly 10 years old and 101k miles is perfect. Massive depreciation post 100k so you’re getting in near the bottom of the depreciation curve. It may not have a warrantee but if it’s made it this far all warrantee items have already been replaced and the massive amounts you save on the purchase price can go towards whatever maintenance is needed. Easy to find a 1 owner car, traded in after 10 years with well documented maintenance history. Modern cars will all go over 200k as long as the oil has been changed, this isn’t the 60’s anymore! New cars also need maintenance, so you might as well save 75% and get an older one!

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