08/30/2026
🚗 Sometimes the best “new” vehicle is the one already sitting in your driveway.
Used-car prices have increased 38.2% since 2019. The average three-year-old vehicle now costs about $32,651—over $9,000 more than in 2019.
Add an average used-car interest rate of approximately 11.43%, and a comparable monthly payment could be around $656—about $200 more per month.
That’s nearly $8,000 in additional payments over a typical 40-month period, before higher insurance, registration fees, repairs, or negative equity.
If your current vehicle is structurally sound and has been dependable, repairing and maintaining it may be the smarter financial choice. A $2,000 repair can feel expensive, but it may still cost far less than replacing the vehicle and taking on years of payments.
Of course, not every vehicle is worth fixing. That’s why an honest inspection matters. We’ll help you understand:
🔧 What needs attention now
🔧 What can safely wait
🔧 What future repairs you should expect
🔧 Whether the vehicle is worth continuing to invest in
Before trading your vehicle because of one large repair estimate, let Hays City Auto give you the information you need to make the best decision for your family and your budget.
Sometimes repairing what you already own is the most affordable way to stay on the road.
