Used Car Buyers are Screwed!! Here's Why... **Rant**

Summary

In a passionate rant, the creator discusses the growing challenges faced by used car buyers in 2025. As vehicles become more technologically advanced and reliant on complex systems, repair costs skyrocket and information accessibility decreases. The video highlights how lower-income individuals and new buyers struggle to find reliable transportation due to proprietary information and expensive repair requirements. The creator also reflects on the nostalgia and simplicity of older vehicle models while critiquing current manufacturing trends that prioritize tech features over quality.

Highlights

• Used cars will become expensive to repair and maintain as they age due to advanced technology. 🤦‍♂️
• Proprietary information makes it difficult for average car owners to perform repairs. 😓📚
• Technological advancements in vehicles are making repairs costly and complex. 🔩💻
• Younger buyers and those with less financial flexibility struggle in the current market. 💸🤯
• Manufacturers prioritize technology over vehicle quality, raising costs. 📊🚗

Key Takeaways

• Used car buyers face increasing challenges due to expensive repairs and proprietary tech. 🚗💸
• Complex technological advancements in cars make repairs costly and inaccessible. 🔧📈
• Lower-income individuals are being priced out of the used car market. 🚷
• Manufacturers focus more on tech features than on quality, impacting car longevity. 📉📱
• There's a demand for simpler, more reliable vehicle models without excessive tech. 🚙👌

Overview

In this fiery discussion, the creator outlines the grim future awaiting potential used car buyers in 2025. The rapid technological advancements in vehicles are leading to exorbitant repair costs as these cars age, making them financially burdensome for the average buyer. With manufacturers embedding more tech gadgets that eventually wear down, the ability to affordably maintain these cars becomes a distant dream for many.

As newer car models incorporate more software and proprietary systems, the general public finds itself increasingly locked out of self-repair opportunities. The video discusses how the older generation of cars, which required simple tools and skills to repair, are being replaced by tech-heavy models, resulting in a market that squeezes out less affluent buyers. This trend is troubling because it alienates a significant portion of potential car owners who rely on secondhand markets for affordable transportation.

Echoing sentiments of nostalgia, the creator longingly discusses an era of simpler, more reliable vehicles. They argue that manufacturers should offer basic, affordable models that prioritize essential functions over luxury tech features. Such cars could bring joy to middle-class individuals craving straightforward, durable vehicles rather than complicated, costly tech-centric ones. The video wraps up on a reflective note, calling for more practical and accessible automotive solutions in the future.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Overview The chapter discusses the challenges faced by used car owners and potential buyers in 2025. It highlights how the increasing cost of parts makes older vehicles financially burdensome as they age. The issue affects the entire market segment considered as the third tier of used cars.
• 00:30 - 04:30: Shop Talk and Current Projects The chapter titled 'Shop Talk and Current Projects' features a light-hearted interaction where Sammy, presumably a pet, prefers laying on the dirty shop floor over two available dog beds. There is a humorous note with the insistence that the 'Floor is nice' despite attempts to persuade Sammy otherwise.
• 04:30 - 09:00: The Problem with Modern Used Cars The chapter is an introduction to the discussion format of the video series, where the speaker addresses various car-related issues while working in the shop. The focus in this installment is on a GMC Sierra, which has undergone a fluid film treatment to prevent rust on key components like rockers and the frame. Additionally, due to a control arm upgrade and the installation of larger wheels and tires, the vehicle required longer wheel studs and a half-inch wheel spacer to resolve rubbing issues. The chapter highlights the challenges and solutions encountered in modern used car maintenance.
• 09:00 - 15:00: Discussion on Automotive Technology and Accessibility The chapter discusses a variety of repairs being done on a fleet truck, including the installation of longer studs which required pulling out the axles. This was acceptable as the truck needed rear axle seals replaced. The truck, a Sierra, is undergoing multiple repairs such as fixing the oil cooler lines, brakes, and replacing spark plugs. The narrative highlights the challenges of mild modifications, like installing wheel spacers that require extended studs, while also ensuring that they do not cause rubbing on the control arm. The Sierra is described as belonging to a valued customer, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its optimal performance.
• 15:00 - 19:30: Conclusion and Call to Action The chapter discusses ongoing repairs and projects, notably on a Mazda vehicle. The author expresses excitement about completing these projects, highlighting a modified intake manifold. They mention collaborating with Jeremy at Custom Coatings and Repairs, and anticipate seeing the finished products. Additionally, the chapter covers acquiring more parts and supplies for the Mazda, and details efforts to perform an acid dip on a Toyota front bumper using citric acid. The chapter concludes with a strong sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for future accomplishments.

Used Car Buyers are Screwed!! Here's Why... **Rant** Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Used car owners, specifically potential used car buyers, are absolutely screwed in 2025. And we're going to tell you exactly why. The parts are that expensive. And these things are money pits as they age. That is bleeding over into all of that third tier of used car. [Music]
• 00:30 - 01:00 Sammy, you know you got two dog beds in here and you choose to lay on the ground right on the dirty shop floor. Why don't you lay on one of your dog beds? Floor. Nice. Floor is nice. Stop doing that with your head. Hey
• 01:00 - 01:30 guys, welcome back inside the shop for another discussion video. If you're new to the channel, welcome. These types of videos, we sit down, we talk about stuff. Couple little things going on in our world. You can see we're working on this GMC Sierra. We just got done doing the fluid film treatment on that. Prevent some rust, get the rockers, the frame, all those major components. That thing, it's been a whole laundry list, you guys. We had to do extended wheel studs in there because of a control arm upgrade and bigger wheels and tires. had some rubbing issues. So, we needed a/2 inch wheel spacer, which then gave us
• 01:30 - 02:00 issues with the longer studs. We had to pull the axles out of the back to clear the longer studs going in. Truck needed rear axle seals anyway, so that was okay. But, we've got about 12 of the like 16 different repairs. Oil cooler lines, brakes, spark plugs. This is a fleet truck and it's a really, really good customer of ours. But, it is a laundry list of things that we're doing to the Sierra. And anytime you're even doing mild modifications like these wheel spacers that need extended studs and you need to figure out how to get it to not rub on the control arm, all these
• 02:00 - 02:30 things take time and it's not a cut and dry repair. So going to be excited when this one is gone. As per the Mazda, we dropped off the intake and the wheels with our buddy Jeremy over at Custom Coatings and Repairs. Super excited to see those done. Intake manifold, as you know, we spent a lot of time on that modifying, smoothing it out, making it look nice. more importantly modifying to accommodate our Weber carburetor. We got more parts for the Mazda, more supplies. We're going to go over all that. We had picked up that Toyota front bumper and currently I'm trying to figure out a way to do an acid dip on this thing. Citric
• 02:30 - 03:00 acid. We're going to take care of the surface rust that's on the back of it before we get ready to dress it up, repaint it, and get it put on the Mazda. Um, something I wanted to take care of. So, we'll go through that. The issue is it's 67 in long, and even your average kiddie pool is not big enough. I don't want to put citric acid and rust in my bathtub. So, that's out. Got to figure out a way to be able to soak this thing. Right now, I'm kind of thinking about using a plastic barrel and then just do like one side, flip it over, do the other side. Last thing with the Mazda here. Let me grab something. If we're to talk about this
• 03:00 - 03:30 steering wheel really fast because I'm absolutely shocked, you guys. Only gripe I have right now is I didn't get any before pictures of this. But this steering wheel is one of the three-spoke wheels. You see that there? It's a three-spoke wheel that you got in certain B series trucks. Not all of them had these. There was another three-spoke wheel that used more of a foam plastic, you know, mold injected. It was hideous. And then a lot of them were actually two-spoke wheels, which also did not look very good. This wheel was actually used also in the RX7, which is I just
• 03:30 - 04:00 think it's a good looking steering wheel. And you can see how amazing this thing looks right now. I didn't get any before pictures. And my buddy John, who is actually one of our shop neighbors, his TT has been in a couple videos. He specializes in heated seats, sunroofs, customization. He owns Topps Auto Restyling. So, I brought this wheel over there. It was all cracked up, sunfaded. I've had this wheel in four or five of my Mazda pickups cuz every time I get a new one, I get one with an ugly wheel and I just transfer it. So, it was falling apart back here. And I went over
• 04:00 - 04:30 there to ask him if there was a certain type of epoxy or something I should use to redo this. He was like, you know, just leave it with me and I'll try one and then tell you what to get. Then he sends me this text and it's like, come get your wheel. and I'm sitting at the counter eating breakfast and I was like, "You went through and completely restored my wheel." So, super stoked about that. Thankful for him. Looks like a brand new wheel now. All right, so that's kind of what's been going on in my world. On to the point of today's video, which is that potential used car buyers are getting completely phased out of the market. I got to give credit
• 04:30 - 05:00 where credit's due, you guys. Uncle Tony, who is an awesome YouTuber, actually just put out a really good video about this, and it's very true. And as technicians, people working in the automotive industry, we're seeing it on a bigger and bigger scale all the time. Everyone knows everything's getting excessively more expensive, including cars, right? And I've said it for years, it happens because you want your heated seats, you want your navigation, you want your air cooled seats, you want your radar cruise control. Anytime you're adding all that junk onto a car, all this technology,
• 05:00 - 05:30 they have to cheapen them up somewhere, but it's also going to drive the price up, right? And this is all stuff that's going to be a nightmare when these cars are the equivalent of like late '9s, early 2000s cars are right now in the used car market. So why why is the middle person getting cut out? So there's like three tiers of car buyers. Uncle Tony talked about this as well, but there is basically three tiers of car buyers. You have the person who buys a brand new car, right? They keep it for 3 4 years. Then you have the person who buys a newer, lightly used car. You
• 05:30 - 06:00 bought a car in 2023. It's now 2025. You sell it as a used car. Somebody gets it. They might still have a little factory warranty, whatever. It's great, right? They bought a used car, but it's fairly new. So then they, let's just say they use up that car, right? Now, this car hypothetically is 20 years old. Where are these cars going to be in 20 years? I mean, who's going to be able to fix them? I have a $5,000 scan tool that we use in the shop almost every single day, and I'm constantly getting, "You need
• 06:00 - 06:30 this software update. so and so manufacturer decided that this is going to be proprietary information. Recently happened to me with Volkswagen with Audi, which is fine. I really don't want to work on those anyway. So, it's not a big deal to me. But my point is these people that buy these, you know, used to buy all these old used cars and then would fix them up, do a little bit of maintenance. You know, they might not be an automotive technician, have a shop, have all the tools and equipment, but they could have, you know, a Craftsman tool set and fix it in their garage over
• 06:30 - 07:00 the weekend. you know, put spark plugs in it, change out the distributor. We're talking I mean distributor old old, but you get my point. Up until like I would even say like 2016, these were things that could be done. People could get into this car that had this amount of technology and they're going to be able to fix it. That customer, the customer that doesn't have a whole lot of money, maybe just starting out, younger, just got into their career, doesn't have a ton of money to spend on a vehicle, is getting phased out of this equation because none of these cars, first and
• 07:00 - 07:30 foremost, most of the information is getting to a point where it's proprietary. But two, all of these different canvas networks, all these technologies, software updates, these cards are going to get to a point where that customer is completely cut out of this. they can no longer afford the car because just like I always say about Mercedes, Audi, all that stuff. You buy one of those luxury European cars that's, you know, 10, 15 years old. You are asking, you're buying a money pit because the first person buys it with a warranty. The second owner got a decent
• 07:30 - 08:00 deal. The third owner, it's tax time. This thing looks sweet and they buy it and then they have, you know, $15,000 worth of repairs to do because either they don't have the tools, the parts are that expensive, and these things are money pits as they age. that is bleeding over into all of that third tier of used car. And I think it's funny because more and more of the auto manufacturers are doing this kind of retro throwback theme. My buddy Nick just put this vinyl kit on this new Toyota Land Cruiser, which really isn't a Toyota Land Cruiser anymore. It's more I wish they would
• 08:00 - 08:30 have called it an FJ or, you know, a PRA. But any that's besides the point. You can see the retro throwback there. And they're doing all these things like, "Hey, look, we're still cool. They're still old tech." No, you're making cars that are more computers than they are cars. And part of it is the consumer because they want all of these amenities. You're adding to these vehicles, but the price is going up and up and up and up and up. The features are going up, but the quality is going down and down and down and down. Accessibility to information to fix these things is going down and down and
• 08:30 - 09:00 down and down. And you might be thinking to yourself right now, well Jared, doesn't that mean more money for you because you're a mechanic, you have a shop? It does in a way, but also like I said, my scan tool is constantly going, "Oh, that's obsolete," or, "You need this update," or, "That's now proprietary," or email the dealership to get access to this perfect example for you. When I still worked at the Toyota dealership and the new Supras came out, we had two guys in the shop that were Supra certified. I was not one of the two, but I worked with them every day,
• 09:00 - 09:30 and I'd see these guys every day, right? If there was a software update, some sort of recall, any repair information you needed on that Supra, we as a Toyota dealership who are selling a Toyota Supra had to email BMW to grant us permission to get into the ECU of that and, you know, reflash the ECU or whatever it was that we were working on on that car. That premise of accessibility is now trickling down into everyday cars. And I am afraid you guys,
• 09:30 - 10:00 20 years from now, who's going to have access to the information to fix, you know, these software updates on some of these cars? When I was doing recalls at Toyota, half of them were software updates. And then then you were good, right? 20 years from now, who's going to have access to that information? Who's going to be fixing these CAN bus issues? The average person who's trying to get their high school kid a car or someone that's low income or just starting out is not going to be able to find reliable transportation because of this huge technology gap that is happening and all
• 10:00 - 10:30 of these accessibility issues that are happening and they're starting with the auto manufacturers. I tell you what, if you wanted to make the majority of the middle class, working middle class male specifically, but if you wanted to make them happy, you know what you do and a few companies are talking about it? You develop a barebones little pickup. Give it AC, give it good heat, four-wheel drive. That's all you need. And hell, do a sedan, too. Air conditioning, heat, a radio. Oh, you could even throw heated seats in there. That's fine. But skip all of the other stuff. Skip having 30
• 10:30 - 11:00 ECUs in one vehicle. Skip having the radar, cruise control, all of that stuff is what is absolutely going to cause major issues going forward. And we're going to see it. You you might think I sound crazy right now, but I guarantee you in the next 15, 20 years, people are going to be scrambling trying to figure out how do I get a cheap, reliable car because it's just not going to happen. That's what I had for you guys today. Thank you for joining me on this little rant. What do you think about this? I'm sure I missed some information that I wanted to put in this video. This
• 11:00 - 11:30 stuff gets me a little heated, you guys. It It really makes you think and it just I think it's going to be a mess. But what do you think? I'd love to hear about it. So, drop that down below. If you haven't already subscribed to the channel, like this video, subscribe to the channel. Thanks for watching, guys. And as always, we'll see you next time.