If you’re out here trying to buy a new car in 2025, you’ve probably felt the sting: prices creeping up like they’re allergic to sanity. And yep, a big part of that spike? You guessed it: tariffs.
They’ve thrown a wrench into the whole works, hitting imported vehicles – and a surprising number of “American” ones – with added costs. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You just have to know where to look and how to play your cards right.
What’s Really Happening: Tariffs 101
New government-imposed tariffs (25% on imported vehicles and parts) are jacking up sticker prices across the board. And before you think, “I’ll just buy American,” pause—because many “American” cars have parts from Mexico, Canada, Korea, or beyond. A Ford built in Hermosillo gets slapped with the same surcharge as a Kia from Seoul.
Bottom line: Unless you’re buying Amish and it’s pulled by a horse, you’re feeling the pinch. But that doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down.
1. Go Domestic (But Actually Check the VIN)
If you’re trying to dodge tariffs, step one is to pick something built stateside. Not just badged here—built here. That means checking the Vehicle Identification Number:
- VIN starting with 1, 4, or 5 = U.S.-built
- 2 = Canada
- 3 = Mexico
- J = Japan
- K = Korea
Shortlist of true American builds in 2025:
- Toyota Camry (Kentucky)
- Honda Accord (Ohio)
- Ford F-150 (Michigan & Missouri)
- Chevrolet Malibu (Kansas)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (Detroit)
A “domestic” badge won’t save you if it’s built overseas. Do the homework.
2. Certified Pre-Owned Is Your Budget’s Best Friend Right Now
You want a 2024 or early 2023 that’s still under warranty and hasn’t been smacked around. That’s where CPOs come in. They’re factory-inspected, often have extended warranties, and crucially: no tariff markup.
Here’s the trick: dealers are sitting on off-lease inventory. Haggle hard. CPOs don’t carry the new-car ego tax. You can often score:
- 2–3 year-old Accord or Camry under $25k
- Ford Escape Hybrid or RAV4 Prime CPOs for thousands less than new
- Low-mileage luxury like a Lexus ES or Acura TLX that still smells new
A CPO car with a factory warranty is like buying someone else’s new car depreciation—and laughing all the way home.
3. Watch Dealer Tactics: They’re Getting Crafty
Dealerships are playing defense right now. With tariffs squeezing their margins and factory incentives shrinking, they’ve got fewer ways to turn a profit on the car itself. So now they’re trying to make it up in the fine print—through inflated fees, bogus add-ons, and financing sleight of hand.
They’re not necessarily being “evil” – they’re just protecting their end. Your job is to protect yours.
Here’s what to shut down immediately:
VIN etching ($300 scam): This one’s a classic. It’s when the dealer offers to “protect” your vehicle from theft by etching the VIN number onto the windows or windshield. Problem is, your VIN is already plastered all over your car—on the dash, the door jamb, the registration. And etching kits cost about $25 at an auto parts store.
Fabric protection (aka Scotchgard for $499): They’ll call it “interior protection,” “fabric shield,” or some other fancy term. But at the end of the day, you’re paying $300–$500 for something that costs $8 a can at Walmart. If you spill coffee on your seat, you don’t need a $499 treatment—you need paper towels and common sense.
“Market adjustment fee” (don’t even entertain it): This is a fee dealerships tack on just because they think they can. You’ll see “$2,500 market adjustment” or “$5,000 dealer premium” on a hot car, claiming it’s supply-and-demand. Sometimes it’s even printed on a window sticker to look official. It’s not.
Always ask: Is this fee from the manufacturer, or is this something you’re adding?
If it’s the dealer’s markup, tell them you’ll take your business elsewhere—and mean it.
Also, shop multiple dealers, especially rural ones. You’ll often find less markup and more flexibility outside the metro sprawl.
And don’t be afraid to ask for the out-the-door price in writing before you show up. That weeds out 90% of the nonsense.
4. Be Flexible – It Pays Off Big
Want a fully loaded AWD in metallic green with a pano roof and ventilated seats? Cool—but don’t expect a deal. If you’re open to:
- Lower trims
- Different colors
- FWD over AWD
- Sedans over SUVs
…you can dodge both the inventory shortage and the tariff tax. The difference between wanting the “perfect” car vs. the “smartest” car can be $5,000 in this market.
Now’s not the time to be picky. It’s the time to be tactical.
Tariff-Proof Model Watch: These Still Offer Good Value
If you’re shopping now, here are some underrated models that punch above their weight and haven’t seen outrageous markups:
| Model | Built In | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda3 | Mexico (hit w/ tariff, but still competitive) | Great MPG, tight handling, and under $25k |
| Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | Korea (tariff hit) | Still priced well, tons of tech |
| Toyota Corolla Hybrid | Mississippi | Tariff-safe, 50+ MPG, bulletproof reliability |
| Chevy Equinox | Mexico (watch out) | Decent deals despite tariffs |
| Honda Civic | Indiana | Still the gold standard compact—worth chasing |
Dealers are getting slick because they have to. But the second you stop thinking like a customer and start thinking like a negotiator, you flip the script.
Their job is to sell. Your job is to protect your wallet.
Come in informed, firm, and with a willingness to walk—and suddenly, all that “non-negotiable” stuff? Magically starts getting negotiable.