📊 **Current Inventory Levels:**

• New vehicles: 47 days supply (down from 65 days in 2023)
• Used vehicles: 28 days supply (historically tight)
• Trucks/SUVs: Premium of $3,200 over sedan equivalents

Look, the numbers tell a story. New car prices averaged $34,800 in Q4 2024—up 12% year-over-year but finally stabilizing. Used cars? That's where it gets interesting. Average transaction price hit $22,100, but the spread is wild. Reliable transportation (2015-2018 models, under 80K miles) moves fast at $16K-$24K. Luxury and premium trucks sit longer. 📈 **Market Trends:** Financing got tighter. Average APR climbed to 7.2% for new, 11.4% for used. But here's the thing—local credit unions are undercutting banks by 1.5-2 percentage points. Smart buyers know this. Also seeing more cash purchases (31% of used transactions vs 23% pre-pandemic). Nashville money flowing south, obviously. 💰 **What People Are Actually Buying:**

1. Certified pre-owned SUVs: $28K-$35K (most popular category)
2. Economy sedans for commuters: $18K-$25K
3. Pickup trucks (work and lifestyle): $32K-$48K
4. First-time buyer specials: $12K-$16K

Seasonal patterns shifted. Used to see spring surge, but now it's steady year-round. Amazon hiring cycles and MTSU semesters matter more than weather.

**Economic Indicators:** Murfreesboro's growth isn't slowing down. Population hit 165,000 (up 4.2% annually), making us Tennessee's sixth-largest city. Major employers include Amazon (5,000+ jobs), Ascension Saint Thomas (4,200), and MTSU (3,800). But the real driver? We're Nashville's affordable suburb. Median household income reached $67,400—solid middle class money. **Housing Market:** - Median home value: $387,500 - Year-over-year change: +8.3% - New construction permits: 2,847 units in 2024 - Inventory levels: 2.1 months supply (still seller's market) **Transportation Reality:** Here's what affects car buying decisions. I-24 to Nashville is 45 minutes on good days, 90 minutes during rush hour. Public transit is basically non-existent. Everyone needs a car—period. And with gas averaging $3.12 (6 cents below state average), commuting costs are manageable. **How This Affects Car Sales:** Simple equation: more people + mandatory car ownership + decent incomes = steady dealership business. New residents often arrive with out-of-state vehicles needing immediate replacement or major service. That's pure profit for local dealers.

**Weather Data:**

• ☀️ Summer: Highs 85-92°F, humid, afternoon thunderstorms
• ❄️ Winter: Lows 25-35°F, occasional ice storms
• 🌧️ Annual rainfall: 48.2 inches (above national average)
• 💨 Severe weather: 15-20 tornado warnings annually, hail damage common

**Impact on Car Sales:** Spring brings the hail damage rush. I've seen dealerships move 40% more vehicles in April-May just from insurance claims. Summer heat kills batteries and AC systems—maintenance drives service department revenue. Winter ice storms? Forget about it. Nobody test drives when roads are glazed. **Weather-Related Buying Patterns:** - March-April: Insurance replacement surge (hail damage) - June-August: AC repairs drive trade-ins - September-October: Peak buying season (pleasant weather) - December-February: Slowest period, best deals **Homeowner Tips:** ✓ Schedule test drives before 10am or after 6pm in summer ✓ Check lot inventory after storms—damaged vehicles get marked down fast ✓ Winter buying means less competition, better negotiation power ✓ Covered parking adds $200-400 to vehicle value here

**License Verification:** Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission handles dealer licensing. Every salesperson needs a Motor Vehicle Dealer Salesperson License—verify at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc. Dealer principals need a Motor Vehicle Dealer License plus $100K surety bond. **Financial Protection:** Dealers must maintain: - $100,000 surety bond (protects consumers) - General liability insurance minimum $300,000 - Garage keeper's coverage for customer vehicles ⚠️ **Red Flags in Murfreesboro:**

1. Unlicensed lots on private property (common on Old Nashville Highway)
2. Pressure to "sign today" without allowing independent inspection
3. Dealers who won't provide buyer's guides or warranty information
4. Operations without permanent address (mobile/temporary lots)

**Where to Check Complaints:** - Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission: handles licensing violations - Better Business Bureau Middle Tennessee: tracks complaint patterns - Tennessee Consumer Affairs Division: processes fraud reports Honestly? Most established dealers here are solid. It's the fly-by-night operations that cause problems.