On this episode of The Carmudgeon Show- Jason and Derek each acquire new vehicles, both on very different ends of the spectrum…

In a quest not to be #1 soccer dad, Jason discusses his recent experience in car dealer hell with a purchase of his very first American vehicle- an ex-rental spec Dodge Caravan SXT that will serve as his new camera and crew vehicle. Added dealer markup (ADM), paint protection, and other miscellaneous retail magic tricks are discussed, at what could ultimately be the doom of dealers altogether with the rise of the direct-to-consumer sales model.

In the business of selling used cars himself, Derek leads the discussion towards the used car market as a whole. Have prices collapsed? Or will we all continue to be swimming in dealer add-ons for all eternity? Outside of a recent Ferrari 308 GT4 sale on Bring A Trailer for $220,000, Derek seems to think we are somewhere in-between the asinine and not-so asinine.

On the opposite end of the US, Derek purchases a vehicle conceived far before the time of ADM- a W116 Mercedes-Benz 280SE. He proceeds to take it on a 2,000 kilometer roadtrip through Maine and Canada and, despite some hoonage and squeaky belts, lived to tell the tale.

All this and more, brought to you by the Hagerty Podcast Network.

This episode is sponsored by Reliable Carriers- mention Carmudgeon in your next shipping quote and get 10% off!
https://reliablecarriers.com/request-a-quote/