Car buying advice amid Trump tariffs

How President Donald Trump's tariffs on car imports will impact the auto industry. New analysis shows levies could lead to the sharpest decline in vehicle sales since the 2008 financial crisis and the CO 19 pandemic. Arnettia Ahan joining us now in studio with advice for people who are trying to get ahead of the tariffs by purchasing a vehicle now. Yeah, a vehicle is a big investment and if you know you'll need a new or used car within the next few months, it is a good idea to buy now. But that doesn't mean you should panic and rush your decision. It is more important than ever you do your homework and buy wisely. When shopping for a new car, even in these times, do not focus solely on purchase cost. Absolutely. We like to say there's no such thing as a good deal in a bad car. Like vehicle prices, repair costs are also likely to increase. The White House saying a levy on imported auto parts is expected by May 3rd. And very often the cars that are the most heavily discounted are the same cars that are at the bottom of our reliability ratings, at the bottom of our owner satisfaction ratings. When you are ready to compare prices, Consumer Reports has a tool that takes data from over 12,000 dealers and it not only shows, you know, what the MSRP of a car is, but it shows what people in your area have paid for a similar car. CR also says, "Consider leasing. It will give you a predictable payment on a new car that's under warranty the whole time you lease it and you can kind of step back from the whole chaos of of new car pricing. If you're looking to buy used, beware. Prices are already inflated. So, normally around this time, we would see a bump in sales and a bump in prices, but right now there's an abnormal increase. Carfax says in the Mid-Atlantic, prices on used vans and minivans rose nearly 4% from February to March, meaning a $30,000 minivan is now $1,200 more. So, you want to make sure you do your research. You want to look at the vehicle history report for service records and accident data. And that's something that's key there before you buy. You want to get an inspection. Now, even if you see a good deal online, meet the seller in person to take the car for a test drive and to get that pre-purchase inspection done by a trusted independent mechanic. It is so important, guys, especially right now. Yeah, you got it, Nidia. Always good advice. Thank you.