123 articles · 44 generation guides · Updated Oct 12, 2026
The Squeeze
Used car buying guides, market data and research from the team behind Squeezed.
Gas Just Set a September Record. What the 2026 Fuel Crisis Means for Used Car Buyers
Gas hit $4.46 a gallon on September 29, $1.32 more than a year ago, and diesel set an all-time record of $6.53. Fuel-efficient used cars are getting more expensive while trucks and big SUVs get cheaper. Here's what a year of fuel costs by model, and when switching cars actually pays.
11 min read
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How Title Washing Hides Flood-Damaged Cars, and How to Check (2026)
2026 went until October without a hurricane. Then Isaias hit Florida on the same night Tropical Storm Rachel's surf flooded streets in Newport Beach, California. Here's how flooded cars get back onto lots with clean-looking titles, the free tools that catch most of them, and the red flags to watch.
10 min read
Repossessions Hit a 15-Year High: What It Means for Used Car Buyers
Repossessions reached their highest level since 2009, subprime delinquencies hit a 32-year high, and nearly a third of trade-ins are underwater. Here's what the auto debt squeeze means if you're buying, whether a repo car is a bargain, and how to avoid owing more than your car is worth.
8 min read
Ford Maverick Used Buyer's Guide: Problems and Recalls (2022-Present)
The Maverick Hybrid gets 37 mpg in a pickup that costs less than most compact SUVs, which is why used ones sell fast. It also has a long recall list, and several recalls were reissued because the first repair was done wrong. Here's what to check on a used 2022-2025 Maverick.
8 min read
Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost, Lifespan and What to Check (2026)
The battery is the one big-ticket fear on a used hybrid. Most outlast the warranty, replacement costs less than it used to, and a few checks before you buy tell you most of what you need to know. Here are the real costs, the warranty rules by brand, and how to price the risk into an offer.
8 min read
Diesel Hit a Record $6.53. Is a Used Diesel Truck Still Worth It?
Diesel now costs almost $2 a gallon more than gas, triple last year's gap. At that spread, most used half-ton diesels cost more to fuel than their gas siblings. Here's the math by truck, what's driving diesel prices, and what to check on a used diesel before you buy.
10 min read
Is a Used Hybrid Worth It? The Payback Math by Model (2026)
With gas above $4.40, a used hybrid saves $540 to $990 a year over the gas version of the same car. Whether that pays back depends on the price gap, how you drive and how long you keep it. Here's the math for seven popular models, and the most extra you should pay.
9 min read
Fall 2026 Is Squeezing Used Car Buyers. Here's What's New
The average used car listing just hit its highest price since 2022, and repair prices are up 5.2% in a year. Here's what's new in Squeezed since August, and how each change helps you check a specific car before you buy it.
10 min read
Used Car Prices Are Cooling. So Why Is the Sticker Still Going Up? (Fall 2026)
Wholesale used car prices fell in August, and three-year-old cars lost value three times faster than normal. The average dealer listing still hit its highest price since 2022. Here's what the September data means if you're buying this fall.
11 min read
Used Car vs. New Car: The Real 5-Year Depreciation Numbers
Every personal-finance chart says a new car loses 40% of its value in five years. That number is real, but it's measuring the wrong thing. Government depreciation data, a peer-reviewed cost study, and current loan rates tell a smaller, more specific story: real savings for some vehicles, none at all for others.
6 min read
How to Avoid Buying a Lemon (Used Car Lemon Law Basics)
Lemon laws protect new-car buyers far more than used-car buyers — and most used sales are "as-is," meaning the risk is entirely yours. What lemon laws actually cover, where the protection stops, and how to avoid a lemon before you sign anything.
4 min read
Best Used SUVs for Families in 2026 (Reliability + Safety Ranked)
A family SUV has to be safe, reliable, and roomy enough to survive years of car seats and road trips. The best used compact and three-row SUVs for families in 2026, ranked on reliability and safety — plus the models and years to skip.
4 min read
A Buyer's Privacy Checklist: What to Ask Before You Buy Any Car
A practical, no-nostalgia checklist for weighing data privacy, repair costs, and crash safety before you buy, old or new. The capstone to our car privacy series.
4 min read