THE EXTRA MILE: Year-End Car Buying: How to Avoid Debt Traps and Bad Deals. 12-13-25

https://Drive-Radio.com: The Extra Mile tackles one of the most expensive—and misunderstood—decisions most people face: buying and financing a car. Host John Rush, joined by co-host Luke, exposes dealership tactics, loan traps, and negotiation mistakes that quietly cost buyers thousands. Why is December the best time to buy a car? John explains how quotas, incentives, and hidden discounts can change the final price—if you know how to find and use them. The conversation turns serious as John breaks down negative equity, long-term loans, and why rolling debt from one vehicle into the next can spiral out of control faster than most buyers realize. How do depreciation and front-loaded interest really work? And how can simple tools like amortization schedules help you predict whether you’ll be upside down years before you sign? John confronts myths head-on: Is paying cash really the smartest move, or a costly mistake? Why do dealers urgently steer conversations to monthly payments instead of the total price? And why can some “cheap” cars explode into disastrous financial traps before you even realize it? Using a real-world example—a young buyer who paid off her car early—John gives a clear, practical roadmap for protecting yourself. Covering pre-approval, trade-in timing, and essential sales tax math, this episode equips listeners to make more confident, informed car-buying decisions. Are you ready to outsmart the dealership—armed with the strategies you need to save money and avoid costly mistakes? Tune in and take control of your next car purchase.