The Clark Howard Podcast 01.30.26 Best Cheap Cars / Secret To An Affordable Vacation
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Jan 30, 2026 Surprising picks for affordable, reliable new cars and why some models are back under $20k. Tips to spot odometer rollback and spot transparent sellers versus high-pressure dealers. Why EV prices may drop as tech improves. Low-cost vacation ideas focused on state parks and timing tricks for the best Jamaica deals. When travel medical or annual policies make sense for short trips.
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Affordable New Cars Exist
- Consumer Reports found ten reliable new cars that start in the low-$20,000s despite the $50k average new-car price.
- Clark highlights small cars and crossovers as affordable alternatives to pricey SUVs.
Use The 10-Year Rule For Stale Models
- Only buy a leftover 2024 model if you plan to keep it many years to minimize model-year depreciation.
- Follow Clark's 10-year rule to avoid big value loss from sitting inventory.
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- Avoid dealerships that use the