UNBELIEVABLE: 7 | History Defined

At What Repair Bill Does an Old Car Stop Making Financial Sense?

A $4,000 repair can feel outrageous on a car worth $7,000. It can also make perfect financial sense if that repair gives the vehicle several more years of dependable transportation.

Clever Dude · Sep 18

The Dealer Says You “Need” GAP Insurance — Here’s When You Actually Do

The finance office has a way of making a car purchase feel like a game show. First comes the vehicle price, then the interest rate, then a parade of add-ons that can make the monthly payment mysteriously climb. GAP insurance often gets a starring role, especially when the dealer warns…

Clever Dude · Sep 17

New Cars Now Cost More Than $50,000 on Average — Here’s What That Actually Buys in 2026

The average new vehicle in America now costs more than $50,000, at least according to what buyers actually paid in August. Kelley Blue Book put the average transaction price at $50,089, marking the first time in 2026 that the figure crossed that line.

Clever Dude · Sep 17

“I’ll Keep It for 10 Years” and 6 Other Ways Men Talk Themselves Into Expensive Purchases

A man walks into a dealership, electronics store, hardware shop, or sporting-goods store with a reasonable budget and leaves with something considerably more expensive. Somewhere along the way, “I’ll keep it for 10 years” enters the conversation, and suddenly a four-figure purchase sounds almost responsible.

Clever Dude · Sep 16

Ford Recalls 86 Mustang Mach-E EVs Over Software Issue That Can Cause Power Loss and Increase Fire Risk

Ford Motor Company is recalling a small number of Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles after discovering that replacement battery-control modules may incorrectly calculate the condition of the high-voltage battery, potentially resulting in unexpected power loss and an increased risk of fire.

Clever Dude · Sep 16

One Person Saves and the Other Spends — Can a Marriage Actually Make That Work?

Money differences can make marriage surprisingly complicated. One spouse may look at a growing savings balance and feel calm, while the other sees that same money and thinks, “But what is the point if it never gets used?” When saving and spending collide, couples can easily turn ordinary purchases into…

Clever Dude · Sep 16

The Dealer Says GAP Insurance Is “Only $15 a Month.” Ask for the Total Price

“Only $15 a month” sounds harmless when someone is sitting across a dealership desk with a stack of paperwork and a shiny new car waiting outside. But that little monthly figure can make a much larger cost disappear from view, especially when the dealer rolls GAP coverage into the auto…

Clever Dude · Sep 16

A 72-Month Car Loan Makes the Payment Look Better. Here’s What It Does to the Total Cost

A 72-month car loan can make an expensive vehicle look surprisingly affordable because stretching repayment across six years lowers the monthly bill. The catch is sitting quietly in the background: a longer loan usually means paying interest for more time and potentially spending considerably more for the same car.

Clever Dude · Sep 16

Keeping a Car for 15 Years Sounds Frugal — Until These Costs Start Showing Up

Keeping a car for 15 years sounds like the ultimate money-saving move. Once the loan disappears and the monthly payment drops to zero, every trip can feel like a tiny financial victory, but an aging vehicle can start collecting bills in other places.

Clever Dude · Sep 16

NHTSA Reviews Complaint of Engine Coolant Intrusion and Power Loss in 500,000 Ford Edge SUVs

Federal auto safety regulators are reviewing a petition involving approximately 500,000 Ford Edge SUVs over allegations that engine coolant intrusion can cause significant power loss. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation opened Defect Petition DP26008 on September 3, 2026. The petition covers model-year 2015 through 2018…

Clever Dude · Sep 15