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With over 30 years of experience navigating the automotive industry, Gretchen is a sought-after expert for leading national financial and trade publications. Her insights on consumer advocacy, dealership operations, and automotive financial literacy are frequently featured on high authority platforms.
In the automotive industry, “being upside down” or "flipped” is a huge driver of financial strain on a customer's budget in Gretchen's professional opinion. She pointed to data from Edmunds, which recently reported that almost 31% of trade-ins are carrying negative equity, with an average of $7,183.
“Look at the additional $7,000 added to a $40,000 loan on a depreciating ‘asset’ that may lose $5,000 in value the minute you drive off the lot,” Gretchen said. “Basically, you’ve created a $12,000 hole on day one. It’s hard to budget your way out of that, especially when it adds an average of $100 a month to a payment.”
“Consumers feel apprehensive during car negotiations because of a lack of education about the car business, [being] unfamiliar with different terms and the fear of walking into a perceived predatory environment,” added [Gretchen], and automotive expert at [The Keys to the Deal]. “Lack of consumer education about the car business makes people uneasy about negotiation. It’s more than just the price; terms like APR, TTL or CPO can be intimidating if a consumer isn’t familiar with what they mean.”
“The immediate out-of-pocket expense for a service contract can be viewed as a disadvantage; however, having the option to include it in your payment makes the cost minimal,” said [Gretchen], an automotive industry expert. “If you have to make a claim on a service contract it can save you money that you would otherwise have to front immediately.”
“Every car I’ve owned has a personality,” said Gretchen , an automotive expert with 30 years in the industry. “Currently, it’s The Beast, a Mercedes SL550. Plus, I love the growl of an engine and the smell of gas, oil, and grease. As someone who lives for the sensation of driving, transitioning to a whir and whine of an EV is emotionally disconnecting. EVs offer incredible benefits as far as efficiency and sustainability, but for me, they lack the visceral experience that defines [internal combustion engine] vehicles.”
“Always explore the top tier coverage offered on a service contract. Too often, I have seen customers come into the service department who opted for lower coverage when they should have got the best tier available. It could be the difference of thousands of dollars in possible covered repairs.” “It’s similar to having insurance on your phone or laptop, you may not need it - but if you do, you’ll be happy you had it,” Gretchen said. Additionally, “most Americans have approximately $400 in their savings account. Would you rather have a contract that covers a repair or have to take it out of savings and potentially borrow from a friend/family member?”
In a market where prices are high, leasing can give you a monthly payment that's easier on your budget," says automotive consultant and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) [Gretchen]. It can also require fewer upfront costs than a comparable car purchase.
“Manufacturers will work hand-in-hand with their dealers to contact customers to ensure the recall is completed,” says Gretchen, an automotive expert who worked on the Takata airbag recall, which was one of the largest automotive recalls in history. “In the case of Takata, extra measures were taken to put customers in loaner vehicles, sometimes for several months, if they were under a do-not-drive notification.”
"We live in a world with smartphones, streaming and AI, so is it any wonder that the modern used car buyer wants the latest tech in their cars too? So, even though the tech in your new car will not be state-of-the-art when you go to sell it, the best you can do is try to find the best tech when you purchase your new vehicle", said Gretchen, automotive expert.
"Convincing buyers they are not buying your car problems is a big deal. For that, proof of regular maintenance is gold. “If you are maintaining the vehicle with service visits and regular detailing, keep those receipts,” said [Gretchen]. “The more comprehensive the records, the higher the resale value, especially with a luxury vehicle where maintenance is normally more expensive.”
“The FTC governs fee disclosure for dealerships, and it can be challenging to understand if you aren’t familiar with what you may be reading on the addendum next to the window sticker,” [Gretchen] said. “With that, consumers must thoroughly review all documentation, including the manufacturer’s window sticker and dealership addendum, to understand the full scope of any fees before making a car purchase.”