Edmunds spots 4 record-setting finance trends to finish Q3

With the third quarter having closed on Thursday, Edmunds noticed four intriguing auto-finance trends, as each metric established new records in its database.

Analysts explained that these trends surfaced because consumers are paying more than ever to finance used-vehicle purchases as tighter inventory and fewer discounts in the new-vehicle market push shoppers to seek alternatives in the used market.

As a result, here are four trends that Edmunds spotted within its Q3 data:

• The average monthly payment for used vehicles is expected to climb to $500 for the first time on record compared to $473 in Q2 2021 and $420 in Q3 2020.

• The average monthly payment for new vehicles is expected to cross the $600 threshold for the first time ever, climbing to $614 compared to $586 in Q2 2021 and $568 in Q3 2020.

• The average monthly payment for used vehicles is just 18% less than the average monthly payment for new, which marks the lowest difference between new and used payments that Edmunds has on record.

• The average transaction price for used purchases is also expected to climb to a record high of $27,306, compared to $25,854 in Q2 2021 and $21,697 in Q3 2020.

“Just when we thought we’d see a cooldown in used-vehicle prices, they roared back in September, creating a bit of a roller coaster in the third quarter,” Edmunds executive director of insights Jessica Caldwell said in a news release. “These high prices combined with higher interest rates on the used side have shrunk the difference between new and used monthly payments more than we’ve ever seen before.

“Consumers considering a used vehicle rightfully might pause at the fact that today’s used monthly payment is nearly the same as a new monthly payment five years ago — particularly when they factor in the maintenance that might happen sooner rather than later,” Caldwell continued.

Edmunds experts note that used purchase conditions are likely to continue to be unfavorable for shoppers through the rest of the year and advise consumers who need to make a vehicle purchase to consider alternatives such as leasing or exploring certified pre-owned vehicles.

“Leasing might offer cheaper monthly payments, and since a lease is a much shorter commitment than a purchase, you can explore makes or models that you might not have considered previously,” Edmunds senior manager of insights Ivan Drury said. “If you have your heart set on used, it’s worth doing some additional research into CPO options.

“Although they might seem pricier than other used vehicles at first glance, you’re more likely to get a subsidized interest rate, and can have a bit more peace of mind as these vehicles come with a warranty and are generally newer with lower mileage,” Drury added.

Quarterly New-Car Finance Data

(Averages)

Quarterly Used-Car Finance Data

(Averages)

Source: Edmunds