How to Save Money on a Tariff Car: Smart Buying and Shipping Strategies

Nowadays, the economy forces us to be more strategic while buying a car, especially if we are dealing with a tariffed car. For example, if you are considering buying a new SUV or a foreign model, car import tariffs could significantly increase your final bill.

There are alternatives, however. Research suggests that even in these uncertain times, you can buy a car, pay less in tariffs, and ship your car strategically and safely. Keep reading to learn actionable strategies to purchase a tariffed car and discover how MoveCars.com can help you save more by offering licensed car shipping companies nationwide.

What Are Tariffs?

A car tariff is a government tax on foreign goods. These taxes can be applied to a wide range of products from electronic devices to vehicles.

Tariffs on vehicles directly impact cars’ prices, making foreign models even more expensive. This is used to shape international trade policies. When the cost of imported cars increases, local vehicles become more competitive.

Every time the U.S. government raises car tariffs, German, Japanese, and any other foreign models become more expensive, which leads buyers to consider national models a better option.

These car tariffs are not only an economic tool but also a tactic for political negotiation. Governments usually impose these taxes due to trade disputes or as a way to pressure specific trade agreements between countries.

The downside of this situation is that manufacturers don’t absorb these costs; buyers do.

What Do Tariffs Mean for Car Prices?

A car tariff acts like a surcharge on a car’s final price. This happens because when the government applies tariffs on imported vehicles, manufacturers must absorb the added expense or pass it along to the customer.

Thus, if the price of an imported car is $32,000 and the government applies a 25% car import tariff, it adds $8,000 to the final price, making the price $40,000. The most affected brands are the luxury models such as BMW or Audi, since they depend more on overseas manufacturing.

Models such as the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda Accord, which are more conventional models, can also become more expensive due to their global supply chain. However, it’s important to highlight that tariffed car costs aren’t limited to foreign brands.

Many cars that are considered American-made have parts imported from countries affected by tariffs. A number of buyers are not aware of the same and end up paying the tariffs that they wanted to avoid from the very beginning.

Additionally, there’s also a price gap between new and imported cars. New cars locally manufactured escape from this tariff, but their increased demand can push their prices up due to lower supply.

In other words, tariffs on vehicles have an impact on the entire car market. Thus, understanding these dynamics can help you make smarter choices like shopping across the states and using nationwide car shipping.

What About Tariffs on Vehicles Already Here?

If you are about to buy a car that is already in the country, you might avoid some of the cost since dealerships often stock imported vehicles before new car import tariffs are imposed.

However, once these inventories sell out, the replacement will have higher prices. This means that even if a car is on a local lot, its replacement may have a car tariff, and it can influence the final price.

Consequently, many dealerships may raise prices on tariff-free cars to anticipate the increased cost of their next shipment. Thus, acting quickly and making a nationwide search can make all the difference.

Savvy buyers know they have to act before prices adjust. Another wise move to beat the local rush is to shop in another state that has better prices and arrange for affordable shipping.

Will Buying an American-made Car Save Me Money?

Not necessarily. The “American-made” label can be misleading. Many domestic vehicles are assembled in the U.S. but use foreign parts, which makes them vulnerable to tariffs on vehicles.

For example, a Ford or GM model might use electronic components imported from abroad. So even if it’s assembled locally, a tariffed car price may still reflect international costs.

So, if you want to avoid a car tariff, don’t rely only on the American-made label but go a step further. Research can help you make smarter decisions and better purchases.

How Can I Tell Where a Car Was Made?

If you want to avoid unexpected costs from car tariffs, you need to know where the car was manufactured. The easiest way to have this crucial information is through the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

The VIN is a 17-character code usually found on the dashboard near the windshield or inside the driver’s door frame. This code provides information about the vehicle’s origin, build, and any other important specifications.

The first digit indicates the country of origin: 1,4, or 5 are for the United States, 2 for Canada, 3 for Mexico, and other digits represent Japan, Germany, and so on. The second digit specifies the manufacturer (Toyota, Ford, Honda, etc.).

Finally, the third digit provides information about the vehicle type or manufacturing division. This gives additional details about where and how the cars were built.

If you are about to buy a car and want to avoid purchasing a tariffed car, input the car’s VIN into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) VIN decoder to break down all the relevant data about the vehicle.

This information will help you make smarter decisions. Doing this before any car purchase is useful, especially if you are comparing similar models and want to be totally sure that you’re making a good purchase.

Could Leasing Avoid the Impact of Tariffs?

Leasing can be a shortcut if the dealership is absorbing the car tariff in the lease structure. However, you should keep in mind that leases always come with important risks.

Some unpleasant surprises you may find when the contract ends are: end-of-lease penalties, mileage overages, and other unexpected fees. Additionally, if tariffs on vehicles persist or even increase, you would have to deal with higher lease renewal costs.

Another important risk is that your leased car may still carry a tariff-inflated price ingrained into the residual value. These risk factors make leasing a less attractive option in the long term.

What About Used Cars?

Buying a used car can be a smarter choice. These types of cars usually aren’t subject to new car import tariffs, especially if they are already titled and in circulation. With the right tools and expert guidance, you can find a lightly used car, whether in your state or nationwide, and get it shipped affordably through Move Cars.

Many used car sellers are more willing to negotiate prices, which gives you more flexibility to offset shipping costs. Since car tariffs generally apply to new imported cars, purchasing a used car means there are fewer possibilities to be affected by price hikes.

Should I Keep the Car I Own?

In the current high-tariff market, keeping your current car may be a more cost-effective decision if we consider that a tariffed car costs about $5,000 more. However, before making that decision, you have to consider different factors such as maintenance cost, insurance, and depreciation.

Usually, the cost of upkeep is significantly less than buying a new car with an increased price due to the car tariff. Plus, you avoid hidden dealership fees and registration costs.

In short, if your car is still reliable and meets your current needs, keeping it can help you ride out tariff-related prices and save more for a better deal in the future.

What About Selling My Car?

In case you are considering selling your car, this might be the right time since used cars have a higher value due to inflation and car import tariffs. This would be even more beneficial if your car is in really good condition.

If you put your car up for sale, keep in mind that you’ll need a replacement as soon as possible. So, plan this carefully: buy a car, and use Move Cars to transport your new vehicle to your doorstep fast and hassle-free.

Many sellers are taking advantage of this seller’s market by trading in their current vehicle and searching out better deals in lower-demand regions. By combining a well-timed sale with smart nationwide shopping, you could come out ahead, even after paying for shipping.

Just be sure to factor in how long you’re willing to be without a car and whether your ideal replacement might also be affected by tariffed car pricing.

Move my car

How to Save Money Buying a New Car During Tariffs

Even if tariffs are driving prices up, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. With the right strategy, you can still find competitive deals and avoid overpaying. Here are some useful tips to buy a new car and still save money.

Shop in different states

Car prices can differ significantly from one state to another due to consumer demand, dealership competition, and local incentives. Expanding your search beyond your local area can help you find better deals.

Look for brands less affected by tariffs

Imported luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus are often hit hardest by car import tariffs. Consider brands that assemble more of their vehicles in North America or that rely less on imported parts to reduce exposure to these taxes.

Negotiate hard

Even in a high-tariff market, dealers still want to close deals. Request quotes from multiple dealerships and use those offers as leverage. Many will match or beat competitor prices, add incentives, or waive certain fees if it means securing the sale.

Get quotes from reliable car shipping companies

Buying from out of state doesn’t have to be complicated. With trusted platforms like Move Cars, you can compare rates from different car shipping companies and auto transporters and have your vehicle shipped directly to you for less than the price difference caused by car price tariffs in your area.

Buying Smart: Find Deals in Other States

Expanding your search radius can uncover surprising deals. Use platforms like Autotrader, Cars.com, or Edmunds to search nationwide. Then use Move Cars to coordinate pickup and delivery seamlessly.

Many buyers are saving thousands this way since some states have lower sales tax, registration fees, or dealership markups. By going beyond your local market, you gain access to more inventory, better-equipped vehicles, and less competition for popular models.

This strategy is especially useful when striving to avoid a tariffed car. You may even find limited-time manufacturer incentives that only apply in certain regions. Move Cars makes it easy to act quickly and secure your vehicle before prices shift.

With a trusted auto transporter lined up, buying from another state becomes just as convenient as shopping locally, only much smarter.

Cost Comparison: Shipping a Car vs. Paying Tariff-Inflated Local Prices

Many buyers don’t consider the possibility of buying a car in another state since they think the shipping is as expensive as a car tariff. If a local dealership quotes $32,000 for a tariffed car, it’s possible a similar model across state lines is selling for $27,000. So, even if it costs $1,200 to ship, you’re still saving $3,800 on the same car.

Usually, the shipping cost to take one car across multiple states ranges from $500 to $1500. The final shipping price will vary depending on the distance, the vehicle type, the type of car transport, the availability, and other important factors.

Thus, it’s essential to compare the total cost and not just local pricing. Buyers also believe that the process of transporting the car from one state to the other is more complex than it really is. With Move Cars, you can instantly compare rates from trusted auto transporters and choose the option that suits you.

This process gives you access to better inventory and avoids local pricing pressure. When done right, it’s a smart move that offsets inflated car price tariffs and can save you thousands.

How Move Cars Makes Shipping a Tariff Car Hassle-Free

At Move Cars, finding reliable, affordable car shipping is simple and tailored to help you navigate the challenges of buying a tariffed car. Here’s what you can expect:

Get instant quotes from licensed, insured car shipping companies

With just a few clicks, you’ll receive competitive quotes from vetted auto transporters, saving you hours of manual research.

Compare transporters to find the best deal

See side-by-side pricing, services, and customer reviews so you can choose the shipping partner that fits your needs and budget.

Avoid scams with vetted, reviewed auto transporters

Every transporter in the Move Cars network is screened for licensing, insurance, and safety standards, thereby giving you peace of mind from pickup to delivery.

Access a nationwide network of shipping professionals

Whether buying from out of state or relocating, Move Cars connects you with experienced transporters who handle everything from sedans to SUVs with care and efficiency.

Conclusion

You don’t have to overpay for a tariffed car. By researching diligently, expanding your search, and shipping strategically, you can avoid inflated prices. From leasing and buying used cars to shopping nationally, there are real ways to outsmart the system.

Start comparing quotes and move your car today with Move Cars, your trusted platform for smart, cost-saving vehicle transport.

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