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Thinking about holding onto your car for the long haul? You’re not alone. In today’s car market of rising prices and rapid depreciation, many drivers are wondering whether it’s smarter to stick with the car they already own.
At CarEdge, we believe informed decisions save you thousands. Here’s what you need to know before deciding whether to keep your vehicle for longer, or start fresh with something new.
The Pros of Keeping a Car for Longer
1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership
New cars lose 20–30% of their value in the first year alone. By keeping your car longer, you avoid taking that financial hit repeatedly. Plus, you won’t be shelling out for sales tax, registration fees, or dealership add-ons every few years. Insurance costs also tend to drop with older cars. This is especially if you drop comprehensive or collision coverage once the car’s value declines significantly as the miles add up.
Most auto loans are paid off in 3–6 years. If you hold onto the car after that, you’ll enjoy years of driving without a monthly payment. Having a paid-off car means freeing up cash for other priorities, like savings or paying down debt.
3. Familiarity and Trust
You know your car. Its quirks, service history, how it drives in snow or rain—there’s no learning curve. That trust and comfort can go a long way in peace of mind, especially when you’ve maintained the car well.
4. It’s Greener Than You Think
Even the greenest EV has a carbon footprint from manufacturing. Holding onto your current car—even if it’s not electric—can be more environmentally friendly than replacing it with a new one every few years.
5. No Time Wasted Car Shopping
Buying a car can be a hassle. Keeping your current car means no time spent researching new models, test driving, negotiating prices, or dealing with trade-ins. It’s one less thing to worry about.
The Cons of Keeping a Car for Longer
1. Repairs Add Up Over Time
Even well-built cars eventually wear down. Between years 8 and 12, expect bigger-ticket repairs like suspension work, HVAC issues, or transmission problems. Costs can vary dramatically depending on the make and model, but reliability becomes less predictable.
Newer vehicles often come with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and more. Your old ride might not have these, which can make a big difference in both safety and comfort.
3. Aging Comfort and Style
Seats wear out. Touchscreens lag. The cabin might feel outdated or less comfortable over time. Even if the engine runs strong, the driving experience may start to feel more like a chore.
4. Depreciation Eventually Catches Up
After 10 years, most vehicles have very little resale value. This is especially true for cars with well over 100,000 miles on the odometer. In contrast, if you sell after 5 years, you might still recover 40–60% of the original price. If you plan to trade in later, timing matters.
If you own an EV, charger standards and technology may evolve. For instance, early Nissan LEAF owners are encountering challenges finding compatible charging these days. Even gasoline vehicles might also face limitations as fuel blends change or emissions standards tighten. An older car could eventually feel outdated or even unsupported.
A Real-World Financial Example
Let’s say you buy a $35,000 car.
Sell after 5 years: You recover ~$15,000 to $20,000, then buy another car.
Keep for 10 years: You avoid another purchase and stretch out your depreciation and financing costs.
Over 10 years, buying two newer vehicles could cost $8,000 to $15,000 more than keeping one car the whole time, depending on the model, insurance, taxes, and maintenance needs.
Final Thoughts
If your car is still safe, reliable, and not draining your wallet in repairs, holding onto it a few more years is often the smartest financial choice. On the other hand, if maintenance costs or safety concerns are piling up, it may be time to move on.
Subaru just became the latest automaker to announce price hikes—and it likely won’t be the last. As new tariffs and 2026 model-year pricing updates collide, car shoppers across the U.S. are seeing prices creep higher by the week. But there’s still a window of opportunity: Subaru’s Memorial Day deals include 0% APR offers and below-average financing on top models, and similar incentives from rivals like Tesla and Chevy are heating up too.
If you’re planning to buy a new car this summer, now may be your best chance to lock in a deal before the next round of price hikes hits.
Subaru Price Hikes Arrive in June
Subaru of America is the latest automaker to raise vehicle prices as the cost of doing business rises—thanks in part to the recently imposed auto tariffs.
As first reported by Reuters, Subaru confirmed on May 19 that it’s increasing prices on several popular models, citing “current market conditions” and the need to “offset increased costs while maintaining a solid value proposition.” While the company avoided directly blaming tariffs, the timing lines up with widespread price adjustments across the industry as import taxes take a toll.
According to a dealer bulletin obtained by Reuters, the price increases will range from $750 to $2,055 depending on the model and trim. The Subaru Forester, which is already a top seller and widely imported, is among the most affected—prices will rise between $1,075 and $1,600. These new sticker prices are expected to hit dealership lots starting in June 2025.
Subaru imports roughly 45% of its U.S.-sold vehicles, according to S&P Global Mobility, making it particularly vulnerable to the 25% tariffs the U.S. now places on imported vehicles.
Why Prices Are Going Up—And Subaru Won’t Be the Last
Subaru’s latest price hike is just the beginning. Across the industry, automakers are facing a one-two punch: steep new tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, combined with 2026 model-year price increases that are rolling out ahead of schedule.
While Subaru didn’t directly cite tariffs in its statement, the timing speaks volumes. The Trump administration’s 25% tariff on imported vehicles is already prompting automakers like Fordand Subaru to raise sticker prices to protect shrinking margins. And with almost half of Subaru’s U.S.-sold vehicles imported, the brand is especially exposed.
At the same time, many automakers are finalizing pricing for incoming 2026 models, which typically carry higher MSRPs. In many cases, even 2025 models still sitting on dealer lots are getting mid-cycle price bumps. That means car buyers in late spring and early summer are likely to see both tariffs and new model-year pricing converge, making it harder to find value on new vehicles.
Subaru may be the latest to raise prices—but they won’t be the last. As inventory updates in June and July, expect other automakers to quietly follow suit. If you’re planning to buy a new car this summer, shopping sooner rather than later could save you hundreds—or even thousands.
If you’re in the market for a new Subaru, now is the time to act. Subaru is raising prices by as much as $2,055, and according to the automaker’s website, MSRP changes will roll out in June, and inbound inventory is likely to be impacted. While older inventory on dealer lots may not be affected, it remains unclear how quickly these price increases will be reflected in what shoppers actually pay once June arrives.
And while Subaru’s incentives are strong, some competitors are fighting hard for buyers this Memorial Day—especially as tariffs disrupt pricing across the board.
Here’s how Subaru’s best offers compare to the competition:
Chevrolet is offering 0% APR for 60 months on the 2024 Tahoe and 2025 Equinox EV—solid rivals to Subaru’s Ascent and electric Solterra crossover.
Tesla has slashed rates on the 2025 Model 3, now offering 0% APR for 60 months, and a $349/month lease with $0 down.
Hyundai is offering 0% APR for 48 months on the Hyundai IONIQ 5, a spacious electric crossover that competes directly with the Solterra (and charges much faster).
Mazda is offering 1.9% APR for 36 months on remaining 2024 Mazda CX-5s, a top alternative to the Forester with a more premium interior.
Still, Subaru’s 0% for 72 months on the 2025 Solterra and 2024 WRX stand out as some of the longest zero-interest terms available anywhere. With price hikes looming, now is the time to take advantage of Subaru’s May incentives.
Final Thoughts
Subaru’s price increases are just the start of what’s shaping up to be a more expensive summer for new car shoppers. With tariffs, MSRP updates, and tightening incentives, it pays to shop smart—and fast. Whether you’re considering a Subaru or cross-shopping with competitors, the best deals won’t last long.
Before you head to the dealership, get the facts with CarEdge:
Memorial Day weekend is still one of the biggest car shopping events of the year, but let’s be honest—2025’s deals aren’t what they used to be. Automakers are scaling back the big incentives we got used to in years past. However, for buyers with solid credit, there are still some great financing offers to take advantage of—specifically, zero percent APR deals.
As of this Memorial Day, there are 16 brands offering 0% APR financing on select models. Some are for 36 or 48 months, others stretch as long as 72 months. Below, we break down every zero percent APR deal available in May 2025, organized alphabetically by brand.
0% APR Memorial Day Deals by Brand
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0% APR for 72 months: 2025 Volkswagen ID.4. Expires 6/2/2025
Final Thoughts
If you’re shopping for a new car this Memorial Day, zero percent financing deals are where the real savings are—especially with interest rates still as high as they are. These APR offers can save you thousands over the life of your loan, but keep in mind that most are limited to well-qualified buyers and specific models.
When it comes to vehicle recalls, 2025 is already shaping up to be a wild year. Some automakers are off to a rough start with multiple high-impact recalls, while others seem to be staying clear of trouble—for now. Let’s take a closer look at which automakers are facing the most scrutiny from regulators and what drivers need to know.
Ford Is the Undisputed Recall Leader in 2025
Last year, Stellantis unseated Ford as the automaker with the highest number of recalls, issuing 71 in total. In 2025, Ford Motor Company is once again leading the industry in total recalls, according to NHTSA reporting. As of May 15, Ford has issued 51 recalls, affecting over 1.8 million vehicles. That’s more than double the number of vehicles recalled by the next automaker on the list.
It’s been the year of the seatbelt recall for Ford. Models like the Explorer, Aviator, Expedition, and Navigator have all faced recalls for seatbelt-related issues that could compromise passenger safety.
Here are the Ford vehicles with the most recalls in 2025 (so far):
With 14 recalls affecting 441,587 vehicles, Volkswagen Group isn’t having an easy 2025 either. Several major recalls have affected both Volkswagen and Audi models.
One of the strangest recalls this year? The all-electric Volkswagen ID.BUZZ was recalled because its third-row bench seat is too wide for the number of seatbelts provided. That’s…not something we see every day.
General Motors has issued 11 recalls so far, affecting 773,033 vehicles. A massive recall of nearly 600,000 full-size trucks and SUVs equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine is the biggest driver of that number.
The reason? A defect in the connecting rod and crankshaft could lead to engine damage—or worse, complete failure.
FCA US (now part of Stellantis) also lands on the list with 11 recalls, covering 140,197 vehicles. The most notable is the recall of 63,000 Jeep Cherokees that may lose drive power due to a faulty power transfer unit.
So far in 2025, Mercedes-Benz has issued 9 recalls for just 37,563 vehicles. Some were fairly routine, like a recall for S-Class brake fluid leaks, but others were more concerning—like fire risks related to the high-voltage batteries in some electric models.
Honda has also logged 9 recalls this year, affecting 469,289 vehicles. The most significant issue? A software glitch in the fuel injection system that may cause engine stalling or a complete loss of power in newer Honda Pilot and Acura MDX models.
Not every brand has had a tough year. A few automakers have managed to keep their recall numbers remarkably low so far in 2025.
Here are the major automakers with the fewest recalls through mid-May:
Mazda: 1 recall
Subaru: 1 recall
Nissan: 3 recalls
Kia: 4 recalls
Tesla: 4 recalls
Keep in mind that some brands like Tesla may issue software-based recalls that don’t require a service visit. Still, fewer recalls generally signal stronger quality control—or fewer reported issues.
Concerned About a Recall? Here’s What to Do
If you’re worried your vehicle might be affected by one of this year’s recalls, don’t wait. Check your VIN for free using the NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool.
And if you’re shopping for a vehicle and want to avoid future headaches, be sure to research recall history, reliability, and maintenance costs with CarEdge Research. Whether you’re buying used or new, making an informed choice starts with knowing the facts.