Buying & Ownership
20 articles
Ineos Partners With Costco To Offer Exclusive Discounts On The Grenadier
Costco members can save up to $2,000 on an Ineos Grenadier through a new partnership deal.
2027 Kia Niro Gets A Hefty Price Hike To Match Its Classier Design
The 2027 Kia Niro gets a $2,500 price increase, but offers a more upscale design and updated features.
America’s Oldest New Vehicle On Sale Today Is Getting A Color Touchscreen
2027 Chevrolet Express adds a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and 5G Wi-Fi while retaining its decades-old commercial van platform.
Low-Speed Vehicles: Are $15K LSVs the Future of Cheap Cars?
Low-speed vehicles cost around $15,000 and are gaining attention in the U.S. Learn how LSVs work, their safety limits, road restrictions and whether they can replace a car.
2026 Subaru WRX & Ascent Still Offer CD Players
The 2026 Subaru WRX and Ascent still offer optional CD players in the U.S. Find out the price, location and why Subaru kept the feature.
BMW Displays Spider-Man Ads on Dash Screens, Owners Unimpressed
BMW shows Spider-Man movie promotions on compatible vehicles, sparking debate about in-car advertising.
Mercedes Reverses Course on Touchscreen-Heavy Interiors
Mercedes admits the industry 'went too far' removing physical buttons from interiors.
Carvana's Revolutionary Dealership Concept: A Game-Changer for Car Buyers?
Carvana's new Dallas dealership ditches traditional salespeople and offices, opting for a self-directed buying experience.
The Average Used Car Crossed $27,000 For The First Time Since 2023
Used car prices in the US have reached a new high, with the average listing price crossing $27,000 for the first time since 2023.
How to Evaluate a Rebuilt or Reconstructed Title Car Before Buying
Stephen M's step-by-step framework for evaluating rebuilt/reconstructed title vehicles — covering title brand differences, state inspection rigor, damage scope verification via CarVertical, structural red flags, insurance/financing reality, and a 12-point inspection checklist.
New Vehicle Buyers Opt for Longer Loans Amid Rising Prices
24% of new car buyers opted for 84-month-or-longer loans in Q2 2026, a record high, as average new vehicle prices hit nearly $52,000.
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy (Even With a Clean Title)
Stephen M reveals the two-track method for catching flood cars — the paper trail (CarVertical, insurance claims) and the physical inspection (silt lines, corroded connectors, mold). Clean title does not mean dry title.
2026 Used Car Buying Guide: How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Cheated
Stephen M's 8-step used car buying process — budget, pre-approval, test drive, digital negotiation, dealer scams, and F&I tactics. Based on 30+ years of vehicle research.
How to Spot Odometer Fraud Before You Buy a Used Car
Stephen M explains how odometer rollback works, the physical and digital red flags that expose it, and the one tool that catches what the eye can't see.
The Complete Used Car Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy
Stephen M's 30-point used car inspection checklist — covering exterior, interior, under-hood, test drive, and paperwork checks that separate a solid buy from a money pit.
How to Read a VIN Number: The Complete Guide to Decoding Vehicle Identification Numbers
Stephen M breaks down every character in the 17-digit VIN — WMI, VDS, VIS, check digit, and how car buyers can use a VIN decode to spot fraud before purchasing a used vehicle.
Avoid These 5 Used Car Scams (VIN Check Guide)
Stephen M breaks down the five most costly used car scams — odometer rollback, salvage title fraud, VIN swapping, hidden accident damage, and fake listings — and explains exactly how a vehicle history report stops each one.
Best VIN Check Services for Used Car Buyers in 2026
Stephen M evaluates CarVertical, Carfax, and AutoCheck across pricing, international coverage, report depth, and real-world accuracy after running all three services on the same test vehicles.
CarVertical vs. CARFAX vs. AutoCheck: Which Vehicle History Report Is Best?
Stephen M ran CarVertical, CARFAX, and AutoCheck on the same 12 vehicles — including salvage titles, imported cars, and mileage rollback suspects — to determine which service actually delivers the most complete history.
How to Check a Used Car's History Before Buying
Step-by-step guide to using VIN check services, interpreting vehicle history reports, identifying red flags, and using what you find to negotiate a lower price or walk away from a bad deal.