What a ride the past couple of months has been — that is, a ride involving very little driving or even venturing past the end of our driveways. Yes, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic really brought us to a screeching stop, though with good reason as we banded together as a society to flatten the curve of the virus’ spread. Through it all, Cars.com has strived to provide sincere and pragmatic advice to car shoppers, buyers, sellers and owners to help them navigate these daunting days’ unmapped roads, for which there is no GPS.
Related: Cabin Fever’s Got Americans Giving New Meaning to the Term ‘Getaway Car’
Now, as cities and states begin to take steps toward reopening for business, leisure and life in general, we thought it a good time to reflect on what we’ve all learned about the automotive experience amid social distancing, quarantine, lockdown, shelter-in-place, stay-at-home, et al. When the crisis first hit and it became clear that this wasn’t going to be the false alarm of would-be pandemics past, we started by asking the questions we as car consumers wondered about and applying our automotive expertise in answering those queries as clearly and actionably as possible.
Just some of the concerns we’ve addressed include:
- Can I buy a car during a shutdown if I need one?
- If I do buy a car, can I get it licensed at the DMV?
- Will I be able to get my car fixed?
- How do I sanitize my car to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
- How can I properly maintain my car while it sits undriven, and what maintenance can I defer?
- Can I buy a car without having to visit a dealership?
Meanwhile, recognizing that many Americans in need of a car were also going to need to catch a break in an increasingly distressed economy — and, frankly, that the auto industry was going to need a shot in the arm to stabilize plummeting sales — automakers quickly began offering 0% financing deals on new cars as well as enticing 72- and 84-month loan terms for payment-focused shoppers. We threw our 2 cents in to help shoppers make an informed decision (not just a desperate one), recommending the best models brand by brand among those with no-interest offers. We also culled payment deferrals, automatic lease and warranty extensions, insurance refunds and other relief measures offered to give folks peace of mind.
In the ensuing weeks, we reported on some fascinating cultural trends that have emerged as Americans adjust to the “new normal” — from the return of the once-common Sunday drive to officing out of the car to the unlikely renewed viability of that most nostalgic of car-centric pastimes, the drive-in movie (and even some notably unfortunate ones). We’re also keeping an eye on what automakers and dealers are doing in anticipation of safely welcoming back customers to dealerships. Keep checking back in with us as we further explore what we anticipate is the next frontier of post-coronavirus life as it relates to car shopping: affordability.
To peruse our comprehensive — and continuing — coronavirus-and-cars coverage since early March, go here. But to review the biggest headlines, here are our top 10 most popular advice articles helping to guide car shoppers and car owners through the pandemic (we hope it’s helped):
1. Coronavirus and Car Buying: What You Should Know
2. Coronavirus Car Deals: Best Cars to Zero In on for GM’s 0% Financing Offer
3. Need to Buy a Car During the COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak? Read This Before You Do
4. Should I Buy a Car During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
5. Can I Visit the DMV or Get an Emissions Test Under a Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Order or Business Closures?
6. Can I Buy a Car Under a Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Order or Business Closures?
7. Coronavirus and Cars: Can I Get My Car Fixed During a Shelter-in-Place Order?
8. Coronavirus Car Deals: 5 Kia Models With 0% Financing and Why You Should Buy Them
9. Coronavirus Car Care: How to Keep Your Unused Car Healthy During a Stay-at-Home Order
10. Best Cheap New and Used Cars for Riding Out the Coronavirus Pandemic
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