Home » The Used Car Market Is Getting Weirder Than A Sword-Swallowing Unicyclist Rolling Up To Applebee’s

The Used Car Market Is Getting Weirder Than A Sword-Swallowing Unicyclist Rolling Up To Applebee’s

Morning Dump Car Dealership On Western Ave

The average car is now older than Drake’s first album, Nissan expands its certified pre-owned program to include other manufacturers’ cars, Lancia launches a comeback. All this and more in today’s issue of The Morning Dump.

Welcome to The Morning Dump, bite-sized stories corralled into a single article for your morning perusal. If your morning coffee’s working a little too well, pull up a throne and have a gander at the best of the rest of yesterday.

Our Cars Are Getting Old As Hell

A Buy Here Pay Here Dealer
Photo credit: “Used car dealer in Miami” by ryantxr is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Much to the surprise of absolutely nobody, the average age of a car in America has trickled slightly upward over last year’s figures. According to Automotive News, S&P Global Mobility released a report on Monday claiming that the average car in America is now 12.2 years old, an increase of just about 2 percent over last year. [Editor’s note: Is it just me or is Automotive News’ choice to use percent difference to compare ages a bit of an odd way to present these statistics? I’d probably have just done what Bloomberg did and said something like “up almost two months from last year’s figure.” -DT]  What’s next? Is rain wet? Is In The Aeroplane Over the Sea a red flag? Do birds chirp?

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

In all seriousness, this jump may be minor, but it shouldn’t be surprising. New cars aren’t exactly plentiful right now and old tin isn’t being scrapped because newer stuff is properly expensive. Hey, when the average used car on CarGurus is listing for more than $30,000, fixing the shitbox you know and love often works out cheaper than a car payment. More importantly, we don’t really know when used car prices will drop. Take a look at the latest Manheim index report, it appears that we’ve officially entered the “lol, lmao” zone.

Was the Q1 contraction signaling an incoming jump in used car values? Are we embarking on a long and rocky descent? Who knows? Given a slow ramp-up of production and a reduction in leased vehicles to turn in, we’re likely looking at higher than pre-pandemic used car prices for a few more years. Speaking with Automotive News, automotive aftermarket practice lead for S&P Global Todd Campau said, “I think there’s definitely going to be upward pressure on average age through probably 2024, maybe even ‘25.” It looks like we’re in for a long, shitboxy start to the 2020s.

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Nissan Will Soon Sell You A Certified Pre-Owned Non-Nissan

350z Dealership
Photo credit: “Nissan 350z” by Nadia308 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Speaking of used cars, dealers are getting more desperate than a pop-punk kid on prom night. We’ve already seen Honda slap a CPO stamp of approval on cars up to 10 years old, now it’s Nissan’s time to shine. This fall, the Japanese automaker is launching a certified pre-owned program for cars that aren’t Nissans. What, did you think that Big Altima Energy was truly sustainable?

Like Honda’s HondaTrue Used program, Nissan’s new CPO program for non-Nissans is a bit light. According to Automotive News, Nissan dealers will conduct an 84-point inspection, then slap a six-month, 6,000-mile warranty on anything that qualifies. I’m sure there’s some healthy profit baked in, but the peace of mind that comes with a properly-backed warranty is quite nice for some consumers. Ford’s been doing a similar thing with its Blue Certified program, where vehicles up to a decade old with fewer than 120,000 miles on the clock are spruced up and equipped with a 90-day, 4,000-mile warranty. However, this rush of diet CPO programs isn’t all good news. If this trend keeps up, it’ll certainly screw with the flow of older vehicles to independent dealerships. While the image of a dodgy used car dealer stepping out of a sagging S-Class is an ever-present stereotype, cheaper prices are cheaper prices, and a good pre-purchase inspection is likely a whole lot cheaper than a warranty.

Lancia’s Comeback Rises Into Focus

Lancia Comeback
Photo credit: Lancia

The past decade has been a rough one for Lancia. The sharp-looking third-generation Delta was discontinued in 2014 while the Musa, a badge-engineered Fiat Idea, was killed off in 2012. Aside from producing the long-in-the-tooth Ypsilon, the famed Italian brand was mostly used for peddling Chrysler wank. Anyone fancy a Chrysler 200 Convertible rebadged as a Lancia Flavia? I thought not. While it may have been tempting to let Lancia die a slow and painful death, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has other ideas.

Let’s start with distribution. According to a press release issued Friday, Lancia is planning for 50 percent of its European sales to be made online. Honestly, that’s a solid move. Low overhead, cut the pain of going to a dealership, easy financing up front. Job done. But what about product? It shouldn’t be a surprise that Lancia’s going electrified, with a three-vehicle approach that the company describes with surprising number of early official details. The first product, the new Ypsilon, will clock in at four meters (157.48 inches) long and arrive in 2024. Stellantis claims that all Ypsilon models will be electrified, although that could mean anything from all-electric powertrains to a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Next comes a 4.6-meter (181.1-inch) long flagship, a few inches shorter than a BMW 3-Series and a few inches longer than an Audi A3. Finally, a new Delta with what Lancia describes as “geometric lines” will arrive in 2028 sporting a length of 4.4 meters (173.2 inches). While I don’t have crazy expectations for Lancia, I’m really excited to see what the brand comes up with.

Hyundai Might Be Getting Rid Of The Sonata

Sonata N Line
Photo credit: Hyundai

It’s no secret that midsize sedans aren’t doing so well right now. Ford, Stellantis, Mazda, Buick, Volkswagen, and Lincoln have all either bowed out of the American midsize sedan segment or will bow out shortly. Potentially adding to that list? Hyundai. If a report from South Korean outlet Chosun Ilbo is to be believed, and take this with a grain of salt, there’s a chance that the end of the road for Hyundai’s midsize sedan may be in 2025.

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Honestly, it would be a bit of a shame if the report turned out to be true. While the 2011 YF-generation Sonata was plagued with engine issues, it was a pivotal moment for Korean cars in America. Sure, the Hyundai Genesis was also huge, but the Sonata was attractive and desirable enough to worry Toyota. It marked the moment that Korean cars stopped being sensible and started being desirable, and consumers absolutely flocked. You could park a then-new Sonata in any upper-middle-class neighborhood in America and not look out of place. I know because my dad did just that. His 2013 Sonata fit in perfectly among the vast Cape Cod homes in Chesterfield, MO. While the latest Sonata’s styling is polarizing to say the least, the turbocharged N-Line model is a hilarious bit of one-wheel-peeling fun, a much more refined execution of the concept that spawned the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Let’s hope that the Sonata sticks around for another generation.

The Flush

Whelp, time to drop the lid on this edition of The Morning Dump. While it’s not exactly surprising that America’s vehicles are getting older, it’s an awesome opportunity to play a game. Take the ages of every vehicle in your fleet, add them all up, divide that number by the number of vehicles in your fleet, and let us know your fleet’s average age. Mine’s quite easy at 16 as I only own one car, but I’m sure some of you have an average fleet age multiple times of the average vehicle’s age of 12.2 years old.

Lead photo credit: “Car Dealership on Western Ave” by David Hilowitz is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

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B16CXHatch
B16CXHatch
2 years ago

Weirdly for me, my current daily is by far and away the newest car I’ve ever had and is the newest at my house.

My cars:
2016 Honda HR-V
1996 Honda Civic

Parents’ cars:
2014 Subaru Forester
1998 Toyota Tacoma

And the average age of just mine is 16 years. Include my parents’ cars and the average becomes….. 16.

Burt
Burt
2 years ago

Let’s see:

2021 Civic Type R
2012 Yukon Denali
1990 Miata
1956 Packard Patrician

An average of 27.25 years, with the Packard doing the heavy lifting. Hopefully going to drop the average a little by trading the Yukon on a new Colorado to take advantage of the insane used prices at the moment and not only save quite a bit on gas, but lock in an apr well below inflation.

Autopianmaven
Autopianmaven
2 years ago

2015 Honda CR-V
2015 Honda CrossTour*
2019 Lexus NX-300

Average age: 5.66 years.

*I’m 65. I’m not sure I’ll ever replace this amazing car.

Scott LaRoq
Scott LaRoq
2 years ago

1930 Ford Model A
2003 Dodge Durango
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Average age 40.3 years

Troggy
Troggy
2 years ago

I don’t even need to do the math, it’s 11 years. Seems I have an affinity for 2011 models which I can’t explain. It’s not deliberate, more a statement of my declining financial status and changing needs (thanks kids!).

In order of appearance:
’11 Honda VFR800x
’11 Subaru Outback
’11 Eagle camper
’11 Ford Focus
’11 Touareg
’11 Mazda6

SYKO
SYKO
2 years ago

Going with the flush…I’m bad at math so you get a list of our current fleet…oldest to newest

1942 Chevy AK series truck
1956 Continental Mark II
1962 Lincoln Continental
1967 Lincoln Continental VERT
1968 Lincoln continental
1969 Lincoln Continental
1976 MGB
1979 Chevy Ramp Truck
1984 American LaFrance fire truck
2003 Ford excursion
2017 Toyota Corolla

I hate writing this stuff down! Makes me realize just how many vehicles I have! LMAO

disadvantage
disadvantage
2 years ago

I made it easy on myself: 7 years
2015 Mazda3
2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS

IWannaGoFast
IWannaGoFast
2 years ago

Just over 14 years old total (although my company lease really skews it)
– 2022 Volvo V60 T8 Recharge
– 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE
– 2008 Honda Fit Sport
– 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Matthew810
Matthew810
2 years ago

1998 Land Cruiser
2013 LX 570
2003 F 150

17 years avg. Yikes. They don’t feel that old. Every time I think about selling the LC for something more fuel efficient I look at what my monthly payments would be and remind myself of that when I’m at the pump every 2 weeks or so.

boxerswag
boxerswag
2 years ago

1998 Z3 – 180k
2019 ND2 RF – 30k
2017 Subaru Impreza hatch – 123k

Average age 10.6 years, 111k average mileage.

BigDaddyEureka
BigDaddyEureka
2 years ago

Huh…got an average of 12 years across 6 vehicles in the fleet right now. Fleet age got a bit younger by handing off some vehicles as kids left the house. My 1992 Corvette is pulling down the average pretty hard though!

Average mileage is a bit more interesting….that computes to 65.3k. Again, the garage queen(s) are futzing with the averages…

thedrue
thedrue
2 years ago

1952 Willys m38
1958 BMW Isetta
1961 BMW 700
1986 Pontiac Fiero
1986 Pontiac Fiero
1987 Toyota 4Runner
2013 Subaru BRZ
2020 Tesla Model 3

Fleet average of 39 years. Am I doing this right?

djkieras
djkieras
2 years ago

2002 Nissan XTerra – 20 years – 212K miles
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee – 20 years – 248K miles
2003 Honda Element – 19 – 138K miles
2012 Honda Crosstour – 10 – 86K miles
1973 Suzuki GS750 – 49 – ? miles

17.25 average for just the cars; include the motorcycle and we get to 23.6. Seems a bit of a cheat to include the bike though, since it is a collector and not a daily driver. But as you can see, mileage is catching up and at some point, these cars will either need replacement or I will have to buy a horse and turn them into carriages. Still, feeding and caring for a horse might be cheaper than buying gas.

Boxing Pistons
Boxing Pistons
2 years ago

1994 Ford F150 – 28
2006 Acura TSX – 16
1980 BMW R100 – 42
2017 Toyota Highlander – 5

Damn Toyota family truckster drags my garage average down to 22.75 years – Still old enough to buy a case of beer and vote. I just need to get a mid-life crisis car for my R100 – NA Miata should do, and not kill my average!

Drdanteiii
Drdanteiii
2 years ago

1970 jeep cj5
2003 bmw
2008 tunda
2019 honda pilot

average: 22

Ron888
Ron888
2 years ago

My Fleet average -including two flipper cars- is 19,yet i dont feel i have anything unreliable.
On average modern cars are almost rock solid reliable

Phonebem
Phonebem
2 years ago

2020 RAV4 (wife’s car)
2011 Scion Xb (my daily, they were dirt cheap pre-pandemic)
1998 Tacoma
12.3 year average life

TheBigSwedeAndHis122
TheBigSwedeAndHis122
2 years ago

Our household fleet:

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 VW GTi
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1991 Honda ST1100
1967 Volvo 122S

Average age: 29.8 years

Lightning
Lightning
2 years ago

My Legacy wagons are 1996 and 2003, so 22.5 years average. I have no intention of replacing or adding to them, so the average will likely go up one year with each passing year for the foreseeable future.

chad Face
chad Face
2 years ago

Average age of my 3 cars is 18.67 years. More interesting is average miles is 208k. The 1992 toyota pickup withe 375k miles is skewing it a bit.

Deuce
Deuce
2 years ago

87 Jetta
86 quantum syncro wagon
96 f150
18 golf sportwagen

25.25. guess which one is my wife’s dd?

ghostpedalsyndrome
ghostpedalsyndrome
2 years ago

Oh man.
1998 Ranger
2000 Prizm
1993 MX6
All old enough to buy alcohol.
Listing them makes me want some alcohol myself , but they simply won’t die.
Thank you Autopian for letting me live the enthusiast life vicariously.

GLL
GLL
2 years ago

Car- 2016 Mazda Cx5

Others with motors…important since I’m down a car
2003 Kawasaki ZRX 1200
2009 Suzuki Burgman 400
1965 Piper Cherokee 180

Mark S
Mark S
2 years ago

An extra 2 months and 17 days – that’s a rounding error or a Data set got corrupted. Or people are just waiting to buy 2 months due to it being cold.

phuzz
phuzz
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark S

Looking at the data, it’s just a continuation of a slow trend towards older cars since the 90’s:
http://www.bts.gov/content/average-age-automobiles-and-trucks-operation-united-states

desertpir8
desertpir8
2 years ago

Average age of 40.2 years, or 1981 year

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