The Proper Car Podcast, hosted by Drew Markey, educates and empowers car shoppers and owners. My goal is to be your car ally – to help you find the perfect car for your needs, budget, and desires, to prepare you for the purchase so you get a great deal, and to guide you through common ownership questions. As a lifelong car enthusiast with industry experience, I use this podcast to share my knowledge, hoping to steer you away from the shady tactics, profit padding add-ons, predatory loans, an ...
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I turn 40 next week! It's safe to say that this milestone birthday has been on my mind lately, and has come through in recent episodes. So I thought it would be fun to explore this topic a bit, especially how it relates to midlife crisis car purchases including a very unique one I've just made as well! Instagram Website Music Produced by White Hot…
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Running a dealership is difficult, expensive, and is challenging for me to pull off while maintaining fair prices and keeping customers from overpaying. But it's the only way I can be a one-stop-shop, guaranteeing that my clients avoid getting ripped off elsewhere. As I approach the end of my first year in business, I'm debating next steps, and I'm…
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Buying and selling cars on the private party marketplace has always been one of the best ways to maximize value, but it comes with some inherent risks that keep many from considering it. Unfortunately, that leaves around 50% of car shoppers losing thousands by choosing to trade their car in, and forces buyers to pay dealer markups, expensive fees, …
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A recent article published by Bloomberg hits home at so many of the points I've been making recently, and it felt like a great topic to cover to further highlight the massive costs we're tying up in our new cars recently. New cars are priced out of reach of most Americans these days, and the trend is only going up. I find that troubling for many re…
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I've been shocked recently by my own research into the comparison of total car purchase and ownership costs when buying new versus used. Today, I break down the vast differences in how much this simple decision can impact your bank account. If you'd like to know how to put tens of thousands of dollars in your wallet, this is the episode for you! To…
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Today's episode continues the conversation from an article I recently posted to Medium.com. My love of cars is significant, but my passion for making the world a better place will always take priority. I think there's a way forward where cars become less of a necessity – while not being completely eliminated – so that enthusiasts like myself still …
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Is your car for you? For your family? Or is it part of your image? Most of us buy cars for many reasons, and your car being an extension of your personality isn't a bad thing, but it can become an issue if you buy a car for the statement it makes. Today's episode covers this somewhat touchy subject to help you ask yourself the right questions befor…
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They say one of the best ways to learn is through making mistakes, and I have plenty of experience learning in this way. When it comes to cars, my lifelong interests weren't always met with patience or an awareness of the ways I was overspending and getting ripped off. I'd like to help you avoid the mistakes I've made. Today's episode explains just…
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As I covered on the last episode, and has been discussed many times so far, there are some big financial advantages if you keep your cars longer. But why is that the case, especially when new cars come with great warranties and have fewer maintenance needs than older cars? Today's episode gives a thorough cost comparison using the examples of three…
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If your goal is to keep your automotive expenses to a minimum, you'll probably hang onto your cars longer than the average American car buyer. And as a result, you may find yourself trying to figure out what to do one day when you're hit with an expensive repair. Do you pay for it on an older car so you can stay away from car payments? Do you use t…
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Welcome back! I guess you could call this season two of The Proper Car Podcast, and it comes with a few updates. In this episode I'll get into the changes to the show and then we take a leap into the scary world of the "Upside Down." Carrying negative equity on your car loan, otherwise known as being upside down, is a pretty terrible situation to f…
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I can't believe it's the end of 2022–a year in which I started both a podcast and a business! It's been a wild ride, with lots of ups and downs, and so I wanted to take this milestone episode to wrap up the year and fill you in on my highlights from the first 50 episodes, as well as some plans for the future. This will be the final episode before I…
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Modifying cars can be an expensive hobby, and it can result in positives and negatives in terms of your own enjoyment of the car and how you fare when trying to sell it in the future. Going about it without much knowledge or planning will often mean you waste your money and time, possibly making your car worse rather than improving upon it as you l…
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While each car buying situation is unique, I've often found that there's a lot of carryover from one client to the next, and so I thought it would be helpful to share a recent example where I helped a client with their new car purchase and trade-in valuation. There are a lot of components to this story that will likely match what you're looking to …
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After some positive response to recent topics around roadtrips, I felt it was worthwhile to talk you through how to plan your own idyllic roadtrip in case it's not something you've tried in the past. It's one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I think you'll find a few helpful hints even if you've done plenty of this in the past, so check it out…
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There's a good chance you'll be infuriated when you hear how many shady and criminal practices take place at Buy Here Pay Here lots. They take advantage of people who are already in need of support to sort out financial challenges, and some of the other actions beyond the financial side of their operations are even worse. I hate that these places c…
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It's infuriating how commonly people run into issues when servicing their car, whether it's the process that takes place while they're working with the service center or if they run into problems after the fact. In this episode, we discuss how to handle issues, especially those that leave your car in need of further attention after you've already p…
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Standing on the side of a busy highway, in the rain, trying to figure out why your car just left you stranded... it's a situation we never want to experience first hand. But a car that won't start, or isn't running well enough to drive, is going to ruin your day and can present plenty of costs and added frustrations as well. Reliability is toward t…
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If you plan on buying a used car, but don't want to risk finding out about hidden issues, you're going to want to have a PPI completed. To learn what that is, how and why to do it, and more insight on buying smarter, check out today's episode! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my website and social medi…
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Getting to your destination as quickly as possible seems to be the only way we think about travel and road trips these days. The apps we use will guide you every step of the way, completely removing your need to know anything about where you are, and I think we're missing out on a lot of the joy that the journey can provide while we make our way to…
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Road rage incidents can be really scary, and often turn into dangerous situations. With many more people on the road around the holidays, I felt it would be helpful to share some tips regarding road rage, so check it out. To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my website and social media pages linked below. …
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This is the episode you want if you're looking for a brief and concise guide to help you get the best deal possible when you buy your next car. While this podcast covers lots of different factors, and each one is worthy of a little time and explanation, I wanted to put together an episode that gives as much of the important information as possible.…
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Online auctions sites offer specialty car sellers a better way to reach their target audience, and in today's episode I tell a short story about my recent experience assisting a client with their sale on bringatrailer.com. Check it out if you've ever had any interest in selling a car through an online auction or just want to hear how it differs fro…
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I feel like we can all agree that some drivers are better than others. And we can also agree that some cars are much faster than others, right? Then why don't we consider these factors in our licensing system? Today's episode reviews this topic, looking into a little data and factual information and applying a bit of reasoning to offer some ideas a…
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The car you're told you should aspire to own might not make you happy. The ones I dreamt of owning when I was younger are nothing like the ones I'd actually want to have now, and I bet many people would find the same to be true if they explore what's actually enjoyable–and what's painful–to them about car ownership. Check out this compact episode t…
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The inflation we're currently experiencing, as well as the measures taken by the Fed to attempt to limit it, are really starting to stretch many people's budgets. If you're in the market for a house or a car, high interest rates can significantly impact the cost of these large purchases. But there are ways you can work around inflation, and while s…
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Holiday travel is approaching, and this compact episode is going to walk you through how to prepare your car for road trips. A quick, simple checkover is all that's needed, and it could save you lots of stress when you're hours away from home. To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my website and social medi…
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Warranties are great. Warranties are scams. Warranties pad profits for dealerships. Each of these statements is true, so how can you protect yourself with a warranty without being overcharged or sold a product that's worthless? Listen to this episode to find out! I break down some of the important elements for you to be aware of, why you may want a…
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Today's episode brings a different topic in an unplanned format. After multiple technical glitches and lost attempts at this episode I was almost ready to skip it, but I knew the topic was too important to do that. So here's a one-take, short episode covering something I want more drivers to truly consider, sharing the road. The safety risks for an…
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In the past, we've covered various car buying budgeting considerations, and many of you have been intrigued by the idea of what's possible within your budget. It's a topic I cover often when talking with clients as well, and this episode digs into the wide range of cars available within a few common budgets. Listen in for some surprising options yo…
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Whether trading in or selling your car yourself, there are a handful of important steps you can take to maximize its value. I lay out the different selling options and the ways you can make sure you're prepared and presenting your car at its best in this episode, so check it out! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please…
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Whether you're a new driver or you've got decades of experience, there's always something we can learn and improve upon to become an even better driver. I'm always trying to get better, and I wanted to start sharing some tips with my listeners to pass on the knowledge that I already have. And if you like this type of content, please subscribe to my…
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Yeah, I said it, your truck is too big! Most people don't need a truck as large as the ones we see filling mall parking lots and being used to commute to work. If you get hit by a modern full-size truck you're at a much higher risk of injury or death due to their massive front ends and the force of the impact since they're almost twice the weight o…
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Many budgets allow for the option of buying new or used, and I find it to be one of the most important decisions to make when you're car shopping. Depreciation, total cost of ownership, and many other factors come into play and are well worth considering. This episode covers some of the most important reasons why you may want to think about new or …
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A car enthusiast with a love for public transportation?! Yep, that's me. I'm all for finding ways to improve transportation as a whole, from environmental, safety, financial, and other perspectives. This episode dives into some ways we could all be better off if the public transit systems in the USA were to improve. Check it out and let me know wha…
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You're unique, so why isn't your car? Over 75% of new car sales are devoid of color. Why not stand out from the pack a bit? And the same can be said for the type of car, or even the make or model you choose. This episode dives into the subject of buying a car that really fits you, both for your purchasing needs as well as your personality. Check it…
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Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for this episode, which covers a great range of content on everything from car washes and industry acronyms to my own cars. Check it out, and thanks for following along as I reach my first little milestone with this podcast! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my…
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While not everyone has the option to pay cash for a car, there are some great reasons to do so when you can. However, there are many times when it's wisest to finance! Every situation is unique, so check out this episode to learn more about why you may want to consider either option for your next purchase. To learn more about The Proper Car and the…
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Today's episode covers a recent trend in automotive news that has me feeling really positive for the future of cars, goes over a few updates on my business, and sets up for the Q&A episode coming next week. Please send your questions and submit reviews of the podcast for a chance to be featured on episode 25! Submissions due Wednesday, September 21…
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Tires are probably the most important parts on your car based on their role in safety and performance, but many don't know the simple ways you can get the most out of them. In this episode, I break down the important things for you to know, explain how to maintain your tires, and go over the reasons why this will make for a better driving experienc…
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Who says you can't drive something fun? Just because you have needs from your car doesn't mean you won't be able to find something you enjoy driving! This episode dives into the idea of finding a car you'll enjoy, and covers a few ways you might be able to make this work no matter what your needs or budget look like. To learn more about The Proper …
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With a new law passed recently in California, there is a big push to move completely away from emissions producing vehicles in the near future. But that presents the question, is the future electric? In today's podcast, I cover some details about this recent news, the potential benefits and challenges, and offer some other ideas for how we may make…
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Figuring out when to sell a car can be difficult, whether that's in today's inflated car market or you've kept a car for years and want to make sure you make your way into the next one before you're spending thousands on repairs. This episode takes you through those situations and helps to shed some light on when you may want to consider selling yo…
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When is the right time to buy a car? The last couple of years have definitely made it more difficult – and expensive – which makes it harder to know if you're making a good decision on an upcoming purchase. Check out this episode to learn some considerations to help you buy the best car, at the right time, no matter what your budget or needs may be…
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In this episode of Car Thoughts, I talk about some cool new ways businesses can make a significant impact on emissions and other environmental factors. Check it out and let me know your thoughts on social media! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my website and social media pages linked below. Thanks for…
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If you've considered leasing your next car, you'll want to listen to this episode. I cover some important factors you need to know about, dig into some of the expenses and talk through the times when leasing is, and isn't, a good option! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, please check out my website and social media page…
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Buying a car is expensive enough, but we've grown so accustomed to the added fees charged by dealerships that we just accept it as a cost of doing business. That's not okay, and there are ways for you to offset those costs when buying a car, so check out this episode to find out how! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, pl…
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In this episode, I share some exciting news about The Proper Car and explain the services I provide. It covers how I can help you, offering a one-on-one personal service, as well as other areas of my business that may be helpful for anyone shopping for or selling a car. Check it out! To learn more about The Proper Car and the services I provide, pl…
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Safety technology has brought lots of new features to cars over the past few years, and many of them focus on what's behind you. In this episode, we'll cover how helpful these systems can be when used well, how they're sometimes overused, and you'll hear some helpful tips on how to make sure you're seeing everything behind you to keep you and other…
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Welcome to the first episode in the "Car Thoughts" series! I've had plenty of random ideas and thoughts about the future of cars, how we can be better drivers, and many other topics that relate to cars and transportation but don't quite fit in as educational episodes like my other content. So, in this episode, I cover an idea I've had about how to …
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