Carvana SHOCKS The Auto Industry | Episode 988
About this episode
Carvana is shaking up the auto industry with significant shifts in used car prices and loan origination practices. The episode discusses how Carvana's recent inventory levels and declining vehicle values indicate a potential downturn in the used car market. The hosts highlight the alarming trend of 100-month car loans, emphasizing the financial risks associated with such long-term debt. They also explore the broader implications for consumers and the industry, urging listeners to consider affordability over desire when purchasing vehicles.
Ford Expedition
"has hit a record hide for 2025. This data comes from Cox Automotive. And it shows very clearly that we have the highest level of used car inventory... at the same exact time you sent me this first to Ford expedition that I wanted to pull up."
The Ford Expedition is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff, and it’s made by the company Ford.
The Ford Expedition is a full‑size SUV produced by the American automaker Ford, known for its large cargo space and towing capability.
Carvana
"So we've got one piece of this, which is Carvana again, kind of like the leading indicator for what could be going on in the used car market."
Carvana is a company that sells used cars online. You can browse their inventory on the website and have a car delivered to your door.
Carvana is an online used‑car retailer that buys, sells, and delivers vehicles directly to consumers via its website and mobile app.
Carmax
"So car dealership guy posting about the fact that car max and Carvana, you know, they hope close to three and a half percent of all use car sales go through car max and Carvana."
Carmax is another big used‑car company that sells cars in stores and online, with fixed prices so you don't have to negotiate.
Carmax is a large U.S. used‑car retailer that operates physical stores and an online platform, offering a no‑haggle pricing model.
car payments average more than $750 a month
"I don't know if you got a chance to see it, but its title is this car payments now average more than $750 a month enter the 100 month car loan era."
People now often pay more than $750 each month to own a car, because cars cost more and loans can last longer.
This indicates that the typical monthly payment for a new or used car loan has risen to over $750, reflecting higher vehicle prices and/or longer loan terms.
100 month car loan era
"I don't know if you got a chance to see it, but its title is this car payments now average more than $750 a month enter the 100 month car loan era."
A 100‑month car loan means you pay for the car over about eight years, which is longer than usual. This can happen when cars are expensive.
A 100‑month loan term (about eight years) is unusually long for auto financing, suggesting consumers are taking on extended debt to afford higher vehicle prices.
48 months
"[449.0s] And then then it became you know 48 became the standard 48 months."
A 48‑month loan means you pay for the car in four yearly installments. Each month you pay a bit of the price plus interest.
A 48‑month loan is a financing agreement where the borrower repays the vehicle purchase price over four years, typically with monthly payments that include principal and interest.
60 month loans
"[455.0s] And as prices continue to rise, we saw 60 month loans become the standard."
A 60‑month loan means you pay for the car in five yearly installments. It makes each month cheaper but you end up paying more interest overall.
A 60‑month loan spreads the vehicle purchase price over five years, often resulting in lower monthly payments but higher total interest paid.
72 month loans
"[465.0s] We've seen 72 month loans."
A 72‑month loan means you pay for the car in six yearly installments. It makes each month even cheaper, but you might owe more than the car is worth if you sell early.
A 72‑month loan extends the repayment period to six years, further reducing monthly payments but increasing total interest and potentially leading to negative equity.
interest
"Because the amount of interest that they end up paying because of those extra 12 months or 24 months is astronomical."
When you borrow money to buy a car, the lender charges extra dollars (interest) as payment for lending you that money.
Interest is the cost of borrowing money; it’s added to the loan balance and paid over time, increasing the total amount you pay for a vehicle.
Ram
"...allegedly purchased a ram pickup truck."
Ram makes trucks that are big, strong, and good for hauling or towing. They’re popular in the U.S. for work and family use.
Ram is a brand of pickup trucks manufactured by Ford Motor Company, known for heavy-duty and performance models.
Cox Automotive
"the lackbook from the Cox Automotive data that shows"
Cox Automotive is a company that collects and shares data about cars, like how many used cars are available.
Cox Automotive is a data and technology company that provides automotive industry analytics, including used‑car inventory reports.
8-10 year range
"eight, nine, 10 year range"
An 8-10 year range means you could be paying for a car for eight to ten years, which is much longer than usual.
Refers to loan terms extending from eight to ten years, far longer than standard car loans.
negative equity
"This gold line tells you the percentage that have negative equity and it's actually not as high as it had been pre pandemic..."
If you owe more money on your car than it’s worth, that’s called negative equity. It can make selling or trading in the car difficult because you still owe money.
Negative equity occurs when the amount owed on a vehicle loan exceeds the current market value of the car. It often happens after large depreciation or if the buyer paid a low down payment.
auto loan
"But this teal line or this blue line, that is how much people are upside down on their auto loans..."
An auto loan is a way to buy a car by borrowing money from a bank or dealership and paying it back over months or years.
An auto loan is a financing agreement where the borrower pays back the vehicle cost over time, usually with interest. The lender holds a lien on the car until the loan is paid off.
upside down loan
"that is how much people are upside down on their auto loans..."
If you owe more money on your car than it’s worth, the loan is called upside down. It can make selling or trading in tricky.
An upside-down loan means the borrower owes more on the car than its current market value, similar to negative equity.
principal
"you are pretty much citing up in perpetuity for negative equity, you're not making a lot of payments to pay down principle..."
Principal is the amount of money you borrowed to buy your car. Each payment reduces this amount, getting you closer to owning the car outright.
Principal is the original amount of money borrowed on a loan, excluding interest. Paying down principal reduces the total debt owed.
car note
"when you take out a hundred month car note, you are pretty much citing up in perpetuity for negative equity..."
A car note is just another word for your monthly car payment plan. It’s the amount you pay each month to own the vehicle.
A car note refers to the monthly payment schedule on a vehicle loan, often called a 'note' because it’s a legal document outlining the terms.
warranty
"when they start having issues with the vehicle at 70 months or 75 months or 60 whatever it is and they're out of warranty and they have to come out of pocket"
It’s the promise from the car maker that they’ll fix certain problems for free if the car is still under warranty.
A manufacturer's guarantee covering certain repairs for a specified period or mileage.
affordability
"Exactly so it's like and we saw Jeep recently come out and say hey we actually you know sorry you know our bad we raise the prices too much we're going to bring things back and they're going to be cheaper."
Affordability means the car costs a reasonable amount for you, so you can buy it without borrowing too much money or paying too high of a monthly bill.
Affordability refers to how easily a consumer can purchase a vehicle without financial strain, often influenced by price, financing options, and overall cost of ownership.
high content expensive vehicles
"The manufacturers produced a lot of high content very expensive vehicles those dealers have that inventory right now sitting there."
High content expensive vehicles are cars that come with a lot of fancy extras, like advanced tech or luxury trim, making them more expensive to buy.
This phrase refers to cars that are equipped with many premium features and accessories, which drives up their purchase price.
negotiability
"This is why we're seeing such negotiability on new car inventory right now because they have to liquidate this expensive stuff so they can replace it with more inexpensive stuff"
Negotiability means how much a dealer is willing to reduce the price. If they have many cars and need sales, they'll be more flexible on the price.
Negotiability is the degree to which a dealer or seller is willing to lower the price of a vehicle. High negotiability often occurs when inventory is high and sales are slow.
mass market
"replace it with more inexpensive stuff that is more has more appeal to the mass market."
Mass market means the regular people who buy cars that are affordable and practical, not super fancy or expensive.
The mass market represents the broad group of average consumers who prioritize affordability and practicality over luxury or niche features.
days supply
"and days supply which is the measurement of how long you take to sell all available inventory based on current sales rates."
Days supply tells you how long it would take to sell all the cars a dealer has if sales stayed at the current rate. Fewer days means cars are selling fast and prices may stay high.
Days supply is a metric that measures how many days it would take to sell all current inventory at the current sales pace. Lower days supply indicates a tighter market and higher prices.
Kia
"go to car edge dot com click on shop new ... type in Kia and I've gone here dead to Kia"
Kia makes cars that are usually cheaper and come with a lot of features for the price. They’re popular in many markets worldwide.
Kia is a South Korean automobile manufacturer known for producing affordable, well-equipped vehicles.
negotiation leverage based on local market conditions
"I want to show you the information that you can use to navigate your negotiation with this particular dealership right here moderate leverage based on local market conditions"
If you know how many cars are on the lot and how long they’ve been there, you can use that info to ask for a better price. More cars or longer wait times give you more power.
Buyers can use data on local inventory levels and days supply to strengthen their bargaining position when negotiating a vehicle purchase.
Jeep Wrangler
"unlike that Jeep Wrangler that there's a bunch of sitting around at Chrysler Pacifica"
The Wrangler is a tough SUV that can go off-road and has removable doors. It’s popular for outdoor adventures.
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged off‑road SUV that has become an icon of American adventure. It’s known for its removable doors and high ground clearance.
dock fees
"[2016.7s] I can assure you there a hell of a lot lower than the average dock fees in Florida which which are typically in excess of a thousand dollars"
When cars are shipped from one place to another, the company that holds them at a port may charge extra money for keeping the cars there. This extra cost is called a dock fee, and it can be different in each area.
Dock fees are charges levied by a port or terminal for storing vehicles on their premises, typically applied to cars shipped from one location to another. They can vary widely depending on the region and the length of time a vehicle is held.
Edmunds.com
"along with Edmunds.com editor-in-chief Alistair Weaver"
Edmunds.com is a website that helps people learn about cars, find prices, and read expert reviews before buying.
Edmunds.com is an online automotive marketplace and resource that offers car reviews, pricing data, and buying advice.
car culture
"rides car culture and behind the scenes stories"
Car culture is the world of people who love cars, from customizing them to attending races and sharing stories.
Car culture encompasses the community, events, and lifestyle centered around automobiles, including customization, racing, and enthusiast gatherings.
track-tested reviews
"from track tested reviews to legendary car collections"
These reviews are done on a race track, so they show how the car behaves when pushed hard, like in real driving or racing.
Track-tested reviews refer to car evaluations performed on a racetrack, providing insights into handling, braking, and performance under extreme conditions.
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