It's-a Me! Mario! Reporting on Used Car Prices That Are-a Jumpin' Higher Than My High Score!

Mamma Mia! Prices Are a Climbin'!

It's a me Mario and I'm a here to tell you about the crazy world of used cars! Seems like those prices are a jumpin' higher than I do for a super mushroom! The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index – sounds important eh? – says they went up 4.9% compared to last year! That's a big! It's like finding a whole castle full of coins but instead of coins it's… more expensive cars! Wahoo!

Tariffs? More Like Terrible iffs!

So why are these prices going crazy? Well it seems like these 'tariffs' are causing all sorts of trouble. They're like Bowser throwing fireballs at the economy! These tariffs – they're taxes on imported cars and parts see? Even though they don't directly change used car sales they mess with the new car market. And what happens to new cars eventually trickles down to used cars. It's like when I jump on a Goomba – it affects everything around it!

Spring Bounce? More Like Spring BONK!

This 'spring bounce' everyone's talkin' about? Usually it ends around the second week of April but this year it's still going! Like a never ending level! Jeremy Robb from Cox Automotive – sounds like a smart fella – says they thought tariffs would cause prices to rise and 'Here we go!' they did! It's like when I expect to grab a flagpole and instead I get a hidden vine to the sky. Unexpected but still a wild ride!

Retail Sales Down? That's a No Good!

Now the tricky part: while wholesale prices are going up faster than I can say 'It's a Me Mario!' retail prices aren't falling as fast. And guess what? Retail sales are down 1.7% compared to last month. Mamma mia! That’s a no good! It's like when I try to save the princess but end up falling into a bottomless pit. We gotta find a way to jump over this obstacle eh?

Twenty Five Thousand Coins for a Used Car?

The average used car is now over $25,000! That's more coins than I've collected in all my adventures! A new car? Almost $48,000! Bowser must be behind this! He’s probably using all the coins to build himself a bigger castle. But don't you worry! Mario is here to help because 'Weegee' always finds a way!

Remember the Good Old Days!

Remember those good old days before 2020? Prices were lower than a Goomba! These prices are still high compared to then even though they've calmed down a bit since the wild days of the pandemic. It's a little less 'Wahoo!' and a little more 'Okay!' But hey at least we’re not facing Bowser alone. We're all in this together! Now let’s a go get some mushrooms and figure this out!