10.12.26 Gas Prices & Vehicle Choice / Is Price Tech Stalking You?

In a single fill-up, one of Clark Howard’s team members now pays about $150 for a pickup truck. That kind of sticker shock at the pump is pushing people to think about ditching their current vehicle for something more fuel-efficient or electric. But Clark’s advice is a firm “don’t.” The spike in gas prices, he argues, is a temporary effect of the Iran war, not a long-term structural shift. If you trade in a paid-off vehicle that works fine for a new hybrid or EV with a monthly payment, the math usually doesn’t work unless you have an ultra-long daily commute. The money you save on fuel gets eaten by the car payment. His message: keep what you have, use his techniques to find cheaper gas, and don’t make a semi-permanent lifestyle change based on a temporary price shock.

The Car Market Is Getting Harder to Shop

Even if you do need a vehicle, the market is becoming less transparent. Clark points out that Stellantis—the owner of Ram, Jeep, and Dodge—has banned its dealers from publicly advertising discounts online, on TV, or on shopping sites. The goal is to reduce competition among dealers and push prices higher. This is a clear industry trend. Clark’s counter-strategy is the same one he’s long recommended: do the legwork online to find a deal, even if automakers are trying to hide them. It takes effort, but you can still beat the system.