Editor’s Letter Buying a new car doesn't have to cost your sanity.

Editor’s Note You can do this: how to buy a new car right now without exploding.

ey, new car shopper! Welcome back. We understand Hwanting to stick your head in the sand with today’s chaotic market conditions, but keep your noggin up—there’s a way through this moment. Yes, things are different now, but if you know what’s changed since you last bought or leased a new car, SUV, truck, or van, you’re halfway there.

This is the underdog ’s moment. We know how tough it is to purchase a car in the best of markets; that’s why it’s so crucial you ask yourself how attached you are to the model or brand you’ve relied on previously. After all, you’re probably not the only one who wants that specific brand, model, and trim. You might need to broaden your horizons, especially with ongoing supply issues.

We’ve seen this in action. MSRP overages were once reserved for high-end vehicles, but it’s now a common occurrence. Price negotiations may now range from a little to a lot more than MSRP. Look beyond the obvious, however, and you’ll find cars that are just as good as what you thought you wanted, sometimes at a lower price.

Take the Alfa Romeo Giulia, our 2018 Car of the Year. The Italian sport sedan is as entertaining as it is beautiful. And the best part? Alfa has updated it over the years to keep competitive with newer entries. OK, that’s not the best part. Because more buyers pine for a German or Lexus-badged four-door, you’re more likely to find the Giulia for less than MSRP and with better financing terms. That’s what less demand and more inventory does.

Supply shortages don’t always hit where you expect, either. Even the 2022 Honda CR-V, which is being replaced by a new model for 2023, has been hard to find on its way out of production. In May, Honda said more than half the CR-Vs hitting lots were sold before they reached dealers. Not interested in paying thousands more than sticker for the Hyundai Ioniq 5? Try another EV. Chevy just slashed the price of its Bolt (our 2017 COTY) to less than $30,000, so you can check more options boxes or pay down a credit card with money you’ll save over the better but more expensive Ioniq. Another option: the Volkswagen ID4, an electric SUV that was a 2022 SUV of the Year finalist. Our online Ultimate Car Rankings and Car Match can help you find options.

Timing also matters. Do you really need a car tomorrow, or do you just want one? Sometimes you have no choice, but on the chance you’re not in a hurry, consider ordering a car instead of picking from what little inventory is available. You’ll get to choose the exact options and the interior/exterior color combo.

When you’ve just gotta have a car now, take a deep breath and understand you may have to compromise on color or options. Frankly, this was true before the pandemic in some cases, too. If you’re unhappy with the lack of inventory or the market adjustment beyond MSRP, try another dealer if you’re lucky enough to have others nearby.

You’ll thank us later for this one. The new car you want may be shinier and more feature-filled than your beater, but don’t forget you’re paying for that new vehicle across the next 36 to 60 months (or longer). As interest rates rise far higher than the historic lows early in the pandemic, your money buys less car.

If the car you’ve dreamed about was a financial stretch before interest rates rose, now might be time to evaluate other options. Plenty of mainstream-branded cars are just as good as luxury models. They lack the cachet you crave, but how much sense does it make if you stress about paying more than MSRP for the next three to five years? If a luxury brand is non-negotiable, try a smaller model. A4 instead of A6. Corsair instead of Nautilus. Regardless of what you pick, loans longer than 60 months are generally not a great idea; downsizing your budget is an unsexy but effective way to give yourself peace of mind.

Ultimately with all that’s happening, focus on what you can control. Arm yourself with knowledge and ask yourself what you’re willing to be flexible on. Things may have changed since the last time you bought a car, but great cars exist across the automotive spectrum if you’re willing to look. And whenever you need to brush up on which new cars are the best, you know where to come. Q

ILLUSTRATION RYAN LUGO

Multiple years of production disruptions have created havoc in the automotive market, so it’s a good time to open your mind to new options and be honest about what you really need.

MOTORTREND CAR RANKINGS SEE MORE AT MOTORTREND. COM/CARS