Car Pro Radio Show March 28 26 Hour 1
About this episode
The CarPro Show focuses on why timing is everything right now: end-of-month, end-of-quarter, and big manufacturer pushes are creating strong incentives on new cars while used inventory is tight. Trade-ins are still bringing record values, and dealers are paying top dollar for clean, low-mileage vehicles—especially if you act before Tuesday. Callers discuss choosing a 7-passenger SUV (Palisade/Telluride/Highlander/CX-90), trading a 2020 Buick Encore, and whether to wait for a new Tahoe. There’s also a Tiger Woods/Genesis GV80 crash “connection” story and advice on warranty timing for a high-mileage VW.
Car Pro Radio Show March 28 26 Hour 1
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Tires
"Tires matter. They're the only part of your vehicle that touches the road."
Tires are what actually touch the road. If the tread is worn or the tire isn’t right for the weather, the car can stop slower and handle worse.
Tires are the only part of a vehicle that directly contacts the road, so they strongly influence grip, braking, and handling. Their condition and tread pattern affect how well the car can accelerate and stay stable, especially in wet or cold weather.
Tyraq
"Tread confidently with new tires from Tyraq. Whether you're looking for expert recommendations or know exactly what you want, Tyraq makes it easy. Fast, free shipping, free road hazard protection, and convenient installation options."
Tyraq is a company that sells tires and tries to make it easier to pick the right ones. They also mention extra perks like shipping and protection for tire damage.
Tyraq is presented as a tire retailer that helps shoppers choose tires using test results, ratings, and consumer reviews. The segment also highlights services like free shipping, road hazard protection, and installation options.
tread
"Tread confidently with new tires from Tyraq. Whether you're looking for expert recommendations or know exactly what you want, Tyraq makes it easy."
Tread is the grip pattern on the outside of the tire. Deeper, healthy tread helps the tire hold the road and handle wet conditions better.
Tread is the textured surface on a tire that channels water and provides traction. Tire tread depth and pattern affect grip and braking performance, especially in rain and on worn-out tires.
State Farm
"That's why the State Farm Personal Price Plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto."
State Farm is an insurance company. In this segment, they’re mentioned as offering a pricing plan that may help you save money when you insure both your home and your car.
State Farm is an insurance company mentioned here as offering a “Personal Price Plan” that can provide savings when bundling policies. The segment frames it as a way to reduce costs for both home and auto.
bundle home and auto
"That's why the State Farm Personal Price Plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto. Bundling, just another way to save with the Personal Price Plan."
Bundling means getting your home insurance and car insurance from the same company. Often it comes with a discount, but you should still check what’s covered and what you’d pay if you had a claim.
Bundling home and auto is a common insurance strategy where you purchase multiple policies from the same insurer to qualify for discounts. In practice, it can lower premiums, but coverage details and deductibles still matter.
Honda
"Just a few of them is the big ones. Toyota, Honda, Mazda. All those are really putting the push on for the end of the year."
Honda is a major car brand from Japan. When Honda is trying to sell more near the end of the year, it can lead to better deals on new cars and change what happens to used-car prices.
Honda is another major Japanese automaker referenced as part of the end-of-year sales push. That kind of push typically affects incentive levels on new cars, which then ripples into used-car pricing and availability.
Toyota
"Just a few of them is the big ones. Toyota, Honda, Mazda. All those are really putting the push on for the end of the year."
Toyota is a big Japanese car brand. The host is saying that when Toyota (and other Japanese brands) are trying to hit sales goals, it can change deals on new and used cars.
Toyota is one of the major Japanese automakers that often leans on end-of-quarter and end-of-year sales pressure. In the context of the show, it’s part of why incentives and pricing dynamics can shift for both new and used cars.
shortage of used cars
"And that has caused somewhat of a shortage of used cars. The dealers are scurrying to get used car inventory right now."
A shortage of used cars means fewer pre-owned cars are available than people want. When that happens, used cars often cost more and trade-ins can be worth more.
A “shortage of used cars” means there aren’t enough pre-owned vehicles available relative to demand. When supply is tight, prices tend to rise and dealers may offer higher trade-in values to acquire vehicles.
Lincoln Aviator
"My wife and I just sold a couple of months ago her 2022 Lincoln Aviator. Sold a couple of months ago and she had a total of 18,000 miles on it."
The Lincoln Aviator is a luxury SUV. In this story, they owned a 2022 model and sold it because they didn’t end up driving it often.
The Lincoln Aviator is a full-size luxury SUV from Lincoln. In this segment, it’s the couple’s recently sold vehicle, and the discussion centers on why they didn’t drive it much despite liking it.
Hyundai Palisade
"we have looked at the Hyundai Palisade. We've looked at, um, Toyota Highlander and even the Mazda, I think it's the CX-90."
The Hyundai Palisade is a family SUV with three rows. It’s on their shortlist because it can fit a larger group.
The Hyundai Palisade is a midsize three-row SUV known for family-friendly space and value. Here, it’s one of the options the caller is considering for a seven-passenger setup.
seven passenger
"Yes. And that mid-size, she would love to have the seven passenger, um, one, um, you know, six to seven passengers and really want your opinion..."
“Seven passenger” means the SUV can seat up to seven people. That usually requires extra seats in the back and can affect how much room you have for luggage.
“Seven passenger” refers to a three-row seating configuration that can carry up to seven people. For buyers, it impacts interior packaging, cargo space, and how practical the SUV is for daily errands and road trips.
Toyota Highlander
"we have looked at the Hyundai Palisade. We've looked at, um, Toyota Highlander and even the Mazda, I think it's the CX-90."
The Toyota Highlander is a popular midsize family SUV. They’re considering it as another option that can work for their passenger needs.
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that’s commonly chosen for commuting plus family use. In this segment, it’s mentioned as an alternative to the Palisade for a midsize, potentially seven-passenger, SUV.
Kia Palisade
"So here's, I love the Palisade and the Telluride both. I've had the, the new Palisade, uh, we've not had the new Telluride yet."
The Kia Palisade is a big family SUV with three rows of seats. The speaker likes it, but says it’s so new that discounts may be limited right now.
The Kia Palisade is a three-row family SUV known for comfort, roomy seating, and value. In this segment, it’s discussed as a favorite option, but the speaker notes it’s too new to expect strong deals yet.
Mazda CX-90
"I dearly love the CX-90. You really hit me on that one. And I love it for the interiors."
The Mazda CX-90 is a family SUV with three rows. The speaker especially likes the cabin and says the hybrid system is impressive.
The Mazda CX-90 is a three-row SUV that’s positioned as a more premium-feeling alternative in the family-SUV segment. In this segment, the speaker highlights its interior quality and its hybrid powertrain as standout features.
AutoHeatShield.com
"Go to AutoHeatShield.com and get yourself one, though, because it is an amazing product. It just it covers the entire windshield. There's no sun coming through whatsoever."
They’re telling you to buy a windshield cover/shield from AutoHeatShield.com. The idea is that it blocks a lot of the sun and heat from getting into the car.
AutoHeatShield.com is being promoted as a source for a windshield heat/shade product. The host claims it covers the entire windshield to reduce heat and sun coming through.
Buick Encore
"Yeah, I have a 2020 Buick Encore with about $15,000 and rules on it. Yeah, I still own about $5,000 with another two weeks to pay."
They’re talking about a 2020 Buick Encore. They want to know what it might be worth as a trade-in based on how old it is, how many miles it has, and whether it’s in good shape.
The caller has a 2020 Buick Encore and is asking for a trade-in estimate. The host discusses factors like age, mileage, and condition that affect trade value in the used SUV market.
almost 60,000 miles
"Okay. So you're five years old. You got almost 60,000 miles. That is, you know, right below average mileage, which is good."
They’re talking about mileage. Cars with fewer miles usually hold their value better, so it can affect what you get for a trade-in.
Mileage is a major pricing factor for used cars and trade-ins. The host notes the vehicle is “right below average mileage,” implying it may retain value better than higher-mileage examples.
Kia Sportage
"As far as replacements, I think you got to look at the key of Sportage for sure. It's a great SUV about the same size."
The Kia Sportage is a popular compact SUV. In this segment, it’s being recommended as a good-value choice, especially because of the warranty and pricing.
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that the speaker positions as a strong value option in the same size class as other crossovers. The discussion highlights its warranty coverage and overall cost compared with alternatives.
Chevrolet Equinox
"I would look at the Chevy Equinox, which has got some great incentives right now."
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV. The point here is that it may be cheaper right now because of special deals or incentives.
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that competes directly with other mainstream crossovers. The speaker specifically calls out that it has strong incentives at the time of the episode, which can lower the purchase price.
Mazda CX 50
"Let's see. What else could you look at? I'd look at the Mazda CX 50. It's a great SUV. And it's probably got the nicest interior."
The Mazda CX-50 is a compact SUV. The speaker’s takeaway is that it has a particularly nice interior compared with the other SUVs mentioned.
The Mazda CX-50 is a compact crossover SUV known for its interior and driving feel. In this segment, it’s recommended as having the nicest interior among the options being compared.
Toyota RAV4
"Of course, the Toyota RAV4 is always going to be a good choice."
The Toyota RAV4 is a very common compact SUV. The speaker is saying it’s a safe, reliable option worth considering.
The Toyota RAV4 is a mainstream compact SUV that’s often recommended for its reputation and broad availability. Here, it’s described as a consistently good choice while the speaker encourages quick comparison shopping.
incentives
"And there are some incentives on it right now, which has gotten to be a little bit rare for Tahoe."
Incentives are deals from the manufacturer that can lower what you pay. Here, they’re saying the Tahoe doesn’t usually have many of these, so it’s a good time to shop.
Incentives are manufacturer-backed discounts or offers (like rebates, special financing, or lease deals) that reduce the purchase price. The speaker notes incentives are “a little bit rare” for the Tahoe, implying buyers may get a better deal on the current model year.
competitive market
"Look, the reality is Houston is probably the most competitive market I know of anywhere in America. And part of the reason is there's so doggone many dealers there, and they just beat each other up."
A competitive market is where lots of car dealers are competing for your business. That competition can lead to better deals than in areas with fewer dealers.
A “competitive market” means many dealers are selling the same vehicles and trying to win customers with better pricing or deals. The host suggests Houston is especially competitive due to the number of dealerships, which can affect how much you pay.
dealer competition
"...Houston is probably the most competitive market I know of anywhere in America. And part of the reason is there's so doggone many dealers there, and they just beat each other up."
Dealer competition is when multiple dealerships are trying to sell you the same car. When they compete hard, you may have more room to negotiate or find lower prices.
Dealer competition refers to how dealerships undercut each other to sell cars, often impacting discounts, incentives, and negotiation leverage. Here it’s used to explain why shopping in Houston might be cheaper than buying in Corpus Christi.
Toyota Grand Highlander
"Your first question was about the Grand Highlander. I reviewed it when it first came out... I've had the 2025 model earlier this year... It's got more third row seat room... And it is almost a Lexus."
The Grand Highlander is a bigger Toyota SUV with three rows. The host is saying it’s roomier and feels more upscale, and when you add options it can cost nearly as much as a Lexus.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger, three-row version of the Highlander designed to offer more space for passengers and cargo. In this segment, the host emphasizes that it’s built on a different platform/setup than the standard Highlander and that it can get close in price to a Lexus TX when fully loaded.
2026 redesigned and updated vehicles
"Well, if you're interested in looking at some of the all new redesigned and updated vehicles for 2026, there's a handy little list of the cars that are out there that have been redesigned and updated for 2026 that you might want to choose from."
Car makers often change cars from year to year. For 2026, this means some models got refreshed or redesigned, so the newest ones may have updated features or improvements.
“Redesigned and updated” refers to model-year refreshes—new styling, interior changes, and sometimes powertrain or tech updates. For shoppers, these changes can affect pricing, availability, and what features are standard.
AutoTrader
"AutoTrader in the newsletter is under the new section has the 10 best new cars of 2026."
AutoTrader is a website where you can shop for cars and read car buying content. Here, they’re being used as a guide for which new cars to consider.
AutoTrader is a major automotive marketplace and media outlet that publishes reviews and shopping lists. In this segment, it’s cited as a source for a “10 best new cars of 2026” list with price-based criteria.
base model starting below $100,000
"Apparently they do all the work and they qualify with a base model of a vehicle starting below $100,000. Most cars on the list are thousands of dollars below that..."
They’re only including cars that start under $100,000 in their basic version. Once you add options, the price can go higher.
“Base model starting below $100,000” is a pricing filter that focuses the list on mainstream luxury and higher-end mainstream vehicles rather than ultra-premium cars. It also matters because trim levels can quickly push the final price above the threshold.
microchip shortage
"...when cars got so short in supply, they had to drop out. We lost some dealers, you know, after COVID and the microchip shortage and all that stuff, but they're back."
A lot of cars need computer chips, and there weren’t enough of them for a while. That made it harder for dealers to get inventory, so some dealers couldn’t participate as much.
The microchip shortage was a global supply disruption that reduced production of many vehicles and slowed down availability. The host connects it to dealer dropouts and short inventory, which affected how easily buyers could find specific models.
warranty
"...bust out of the warranty. And having a modern German car without a warranty has me scared."
A warranty is basically a promise that certain repairs will be paid for. The caller is worried because once it ends, they’ll be paying for repairs themselves.
Warranty coverage is a contract that pays for certain repairs for a set time or mileage. The caller is concerned about the risk of owning a modern German car once warranty coverage ends.
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