Lifestyle

Used Car Prices on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Published

4 years ago

June 21, 2021

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are wide-ranging. Some are also easy to overlook. Not every effect of the pandemic is as obvious as others.

For example, rental car companies often sell their vehicles after a year or so. This practice plays a critical role in determining the average cost of pre-owned vehicles. Many used cars are actually formerly rental cars.

However, because travel was extremely limited during the pandemic, when rental car companies sold off their vehicles early, they didn’t buy replacements. The low demand for rental cars made buying new vehicles unnecessary at the time.

This has resulted in a shortage of used cars available to buyers. Because rental companies didn’t buy as many replacements as they typically would, they now don’t have as many vehicles to sell to used car dealers and buyers.

This is one of several reasons used car prices are remarkably high right now. The implications of this for car buyers, owners, and sellers are numerous.

For example, if a car owner was considering eventually selling their vehicle and upgrading to a new model, now may be the best time to do so. Used cars are currently scarce, but that won’t always be the case. As their availability returns to normal levels, so will their prices. If a seller waits to sell their vehicle, by the time they do, they may not get nearly as much money for it as they would if they sold sooner rather than later.

It’s also worth noting that the pandemic made manufacturing and designing new vehicles very challenging for several months. This also contributed to the rise in used car prices. With fewer new vehicles available, buyers had to purchase used cars. Increased demand yielded increased cost.

However, new vehicles are beginning to hit the road again as the pandemic winds down. A buyer might thus sell their used car for a good price now in order to upgrade to a new model.

Even someone who doesn’t currently own a vehicle might want to consider these factors if they were planning on buying one in the near future. This is the case if they initially planned on buying a used car to save money.

Typically, buying a pre-owned vehicle instead of a new one is an effective way to limit spending when a buyer is on a tight budget. However, given that used car prices are currently much higher than ordinary, the amount of money a buyer could save is currently somewhat limited. They may simply be better off buying a new car that’s in better condition and boasts more innovative features.

Additionally, while demand for used vehicles may eventually wane, reducing their cost as a result, experts believe that might not necessarily happen soon. Now that vaccines are available and restrictions are being lifted, many people are buying used cars out of a desire to travel. This trend may continue for at least a year. As such, the high demand for used cars is probably going to remain consistent for some time.

Whether someone plans on buying a car, selling a car, or both, they should remember these points when deciding how to proceed. The rise in used car prices may be one of the more overlooked ripple effects of the pandemic. However, for drivers, it could also be one of the more significant.

Lifestyle

Never Too Late: G.A. Sallee’s Debut Thriller Is an Ode to Creative Timing

Published

7 days ago

October 7, 2025

Michelle Langton

G.A. Sallee’s journey to authorship didn’t begin in a college writing class or with a publishing contract in hand. It began with a lifelong love of storytelling, set aside during his military service. Now, with the release of his debut novel, True Crime: Fact or Fiction, Sallee proves that creative callings don’t come with expiration dates.

Writing Without a Deadline

Sallee first discovered his passion for writing in high school, but like many, life pulled him in different directions. Service in the U.S. Army, marriage, and the everyday responsibilities of adulthood filled the years. But the spark remained.

“Once I started again, it took on a life of its own,” he says. “Halfway through, I realized I was writing a real book.”

That realization mirrors a broader shift in the publishing world. According to Publishers’ Weekly, more than 60% of debut authors today are over the age of 40. Sallee joins this wave with a novel that’s both personal and poignant, shaped by experience and driven by heart.

Inside the Pages of True Crime: Fact or Fiction

The story centers on podcaster Scott Townsend, whose true crime series leads him to investigate a 5-year-old cold case. But when he uncovers a second murder echoing the first, his pursuit of the truth becomes increasingly dangerous. What started as a strategy to grow his audience spirals into something far more threatening.

As Scott’s motives shift and his safety unravels, the novel asks timely questions: When does storytelling cross the line into obsession? And what happens when the pursuit of justice becomes personal?

The title isn’t just about the podcast content: it reflects the uncertainty surrounding Scott’s own reality. Readers are invited to question what’s real, what’s constructed, and how far someone will go for the sake of a story.

A Life That Informs the Work

Sallee served in the Iraq War and currently lives in South Carolina with his wife, Sandrice, and their three dogs. His experiences inform his writing in quiet, powerful ways. Themes of duty, perseverance, and emotional complexity run through the narrative, lending it depth without ever becoming heavy-handed.

“My dog Jake would lie on my lap while I wrote. I’d type on his back for hours,” he recalls. That simple image speaks volumes about the warmth and humanity behind the suspense.

Beyond the military and family life, Sallee’s writing space is steeped in personal meaning. Surrounded by loved ones and memories, he crafts stories that are as much about human nature as they are about crime and mystery.

A Story That Resonates Beyond the Page

In a market often driven by fast-paced trends and debut authors in their twenties, Sallee’s voice offers something different: perspective. His storytelling isn’t flashy, but focused, clear, and emotionally grounded. Readers looking for depth over drama will find a welcome space here.

He writes not just to tell a story but to connect. ‘I want people to feel like they’re part of my journey,” he says.

What’s Next

While Sallee dreams of reaching bestseller lists and publishing more novels, his real success is in showing what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. His book is a reminder to anyone feeling the urge to create – there’s no wrong time to begin. Each word written is a step toward something meaningful.

If you’re searching for your next thriller or murder mystery with substance and heart, True Crime: Fact or Fiction deserves a place on your shelf.

You can learn more and follow G.A. Sallee’s journey at gasallee.com.