Just like any other market, the car market is subject to changes and trends that can make a big difference to consumers. All kinds of things can affect the prices of cars, both new and used. Everything from changes in the supply chain to the state where you live will change the price of a car and it is important that you make these factors work for you. If you are thinking about buying a car in 2023, you should know what the market is like and what you might be up against.
In general, it will be best to avoid buying a car in 2023. Due to production issues with certain components and the state of the financial sector, a new or used car might not be a very good decision. Instead, you will probably be better off making repairs to a car you already own and investing in its condition. Knowing why you should avoid buying a car in 2023 can help you make the right choice for your driving needs and your wallet.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, automakers and other technology manufacturers found that the semiconductors used in their products were getting harder to come by. Bottlenecks in manufacturing and labor shortages in South Asia, where much of the chip packaging and testing is done, created a decrease in supply. In turn, this forced companies to compete heavily for the semiconductors that were already available, which increased costs and slowed down production. This, combined with other labor difficulties, has brought car prices up significantly over the last two or three years.
While more chips have become available since the end of 2022, they are still in relatively short supply. This makes buying a car in 2023 more expensive than ever as automakers are trying to make up for lost time. These chips are used in everything from vehicle control modules to infotainment systems, and with the increased popularity of electric vehicles and hybrids, they are even more important. Buying a car in 2023 may not be a good idea until the chip production bottlenecks have completely opened up and prices have leveled out.
Buying a car in 2023 should mostly be avoided because demand for new and used vehicles is so high. Because of issues with the supply chain, new cars are incredibly expensive, which is bringing more and more people to the used market. In turn, this has been bringing up the price of used vehicles and sellers can ask for higher prices on their previously-owned cars. Even relatively old cars are more expensive due to growing demand and these prices aren’t projected to go down until new vehicles become more affordable.
The higher demand for cars is also correlated with migration out of bigger cities due to the availability of remote work. People are moving out of urban areas, which may not require a car, and settling in places that are more rural and suburban. This has increased demand for both new and used vehicles and many more people are buying a car in 2023 who would not have needed one before.
If you are thinking of buying a car in 2023, one of your main concerns is most likely how you are going to pay for it. While financing has long been the most popular way to pay for new and used vehicles, interest rates have been steadily rising over the last two years, making it more expensive to finance a car than it ever has been before. The higher your interest rates are, the harder it is to retain equity in a vehicle. That brings down the total value of a car and in turn, the quality of the investment when buying a car in 2023.
According to Edmunds, the APR on new vehicle loans has gone up around 2% over the last year. For used vehicles, it has gone up by almost 3%. 5.4% of people who are thinking of buying a car in 2023 could expect to have monthly payments over $1,000, which is a record high. These high prices are well out of reach for many consumers and until they go down, buying a car might not be a smart financial decision.
For those who are thinking about buying a car in 2023, there are a lot of options. Body style, tech features, and safety equipment are all incredibly varied across the automobile market. However, powertrain type is becoming a bigger consideration for car buyers than almost anything else. With the popularity of hybrids and fully-electric vehicles, you can find something that will suit your needs very specifically and your powertrain choices are only going to get wider in scope. As more automakers and infrastructure designers embrace electric vehicles, they are eventually going to become a viable choice for almost everyone.
On top of being very expensive, a car you buy in 2023 may also become obsolete very quickly. Every year, automakers are making electric and hybrid vehicles more of a priority. They are also becoming more affordable, which means they will soon be standard across the board. Instead of buying a car in 2023, you may want to wait and see what the future holds when it comes to fuel economy and powertrain technology.
No matter what kind of driver you are, it will almost always be a better investment to repair a used car than it is to buy a new one. Fortunately, late-model used cars are easier to diagnose and repair than they used to be. With diagnostic equipment and control modules that can detect all kinds of issues, a technician can find out what’s wrong with your vehicle and get it fixed with far less guesswork than used to be necessary. If you have a relatively new car already, getting it fixed is easier and cheaper than buying a new car in 2023.
Instead of buying a car in 2023, keeping your current vehicle well-maintained and in good condition is a better option. Finding the right mechanic to take care of your car can make all the difference when it comes to performance and longevity. With a good maintenance schedule and high-quality repairs, you can avoid buying a car in 2023 and keep yourself safe on the road.
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