If your tradition has always been to wander onto a lot just after Christmas and pick out a new vehicle, this may be the year to break that habit. Start the process now.
Inventory has improved compared to the painfully thin years following the pandemic, but don’t let that fool you—supply and demand are still dancing a pretty tight two-step if you want a very popular model. Many of our Certified Dealers are selling units before the transport truck even unloads them, especially in high-demand brands like Toyota and Lexus. People looking to take advantage of Tax Code 179 are already lining up. Shoppers hoping to lock in the generous December incentives are moving fast. When you put it all together, waiting until the final week of the year could leave you with fewer choices—or none at all.
Your best move is simple: communicate early. Reach out to one of our dealers, tell them what you want, and stay flexible where you can. They know their pipeline better than anyone, and they can often match you with an incoming unit that’s not yet visible online. Let them help you—it’s what they do.
This is the time of year when unrealistic online pricing reaches Olympic levels. Shoppers tell me the same story again and again: They spotted the perfect price on the perfect car, drove across town—or across the state—to get it, and were told that car “sold this morning.” Dealers who play this game often advertise a single unit with a fantasy price, then bury the real number behind rebates you’ll never qualify for. Others add “mandatory packages” or leave out thousands in destination and dealer fees until you’re already deep into the process. When you’re tired, frustrated, and three hours in, too many people just give in. Avoid the whole circus. Stick with my Certified Dealers, where transparency is not seasonal.
Here are some tips to help you make the Car Pro process quicker, easier, and more successful:
• Start the process by emailing our dealers through CarPro.com as instructed. Tell them when you plan to visit and what you are looking for. Spend a few minutes on their website, and if you see something you like, include the stock or VIN number. This saves everyone time and sets the tone for a smoother experience.
• If you have a bank or credit union, get a firm interest rate quote. Dealers almost always have access to special programs or captive-finance incentives, but knowing your baseline rate helps you make a smart comparison.
• If your credit file is frozen—and many people forget they’ve frozen it—unfreeze it beforehand if you plan to finance. This alone can save you a lot of delays.
• For trade-ins, remove personal items, clean the vehicle, and dress the tires. A clean car sends a message that it has been well maintained. Leave your service records in a folder on the front seat. Dealers genuinely appreciate that.
• If you owe money on the trade-in, call for a 10-day payoff. If the vehicle is paid off, bring the title and both sets of keys. Also bring your driver license and current insurance card. These small steps shave a surprising amount of time off the process.
Using our system is easy, but it is a system. It’s designed to protect you, streamline the transaction, and leverage the relationships we’ve built over decades. The more closely you follow it, the better your outcome—especially in December, when the entire industry is simultaneously busy, hungry, and running out the clock on annual goals.
At CarPro.com, click on: Certified Car Pros near you the top of the page. Email the dealer of your choosing directly from our site. You’ll automatically receive a Car Pro VIP Certificate right away, so double-check that your information is accurate. And remember, you can reach out to as many Certified Dealers as you'd like. Here’s the link to find all our partners nationwide:
For most people, a car is the second-largest purchase you’ll ever make. It’s emotional, it’s expensive, and it’s easy to make a mistake if you don’t have someone in your corner. That’s why this program exists. The sheer volume of listeners and readers who use our system gives you an advantage the average shopper simply doesn’t have—and it doesn’t cost you a penny. Take advantage of it and start now while your options are still at their best.
Photo Credit: Forewer/Shutterstock.com.