Useful Info Comic Guides Beginners on How to (Not) Purchase a Car

      Courtesy of Wynton Redmond / Microcosm Publishing

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      As a teenager, I was lucky when my parents purchased my first vehicle. In reality, it was a truck—a 1996 Ford F-250 with a 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine. However, when I eventually parted ways with that truck and opted to buy a dilapidated VW Corrado with a VR6, I made a terrible choice. This is just one reason why the new graphic novel, “How to (Not) Buy a Car,” resonates deeply with me.

      This helpful resource was penned and illustrated by Wynton Redmond. If you’re not familiar with him, he’s a storyboard artist in animation who has worked on notable projects like “Spiderman: Beyond the Spider-Verse” and an impressive Toyota commercial for Initial D. Redmond also owns a remarkable NA Miata that we showcased on our YouTube channel some time ago.

      On that note, I had a phone conversation with him regarding his latest project, which was inspired by a friend in search of her first car. After guiding her through her experience at a local dealership, Redmond realized just how frustrating it could be. In the end, she opted to buy a vehicle from a friend since the dealer only offered high interest rates and unnecessary extras.

      “It motivated me to read some books on the topic,” Redmond shared. “There’s a book titled ‘Cars and Jails’ that basically discussed how the car industry entraps people—especially those in desperate situations—since you need a vehicle to get around, which leads to debt and related issues.

      “I was incredibly frustrated. I thought, ‘Why is it this way?’ So, I decided to write this book so that hopefully people can better educate themselves before purchasing a bad car. It all stemmed from my annoyance.”

      The book presents a humorous (yet occasionally serious) narrative following a first-time car buyer who receives guidance from Carmy, an anthropomorphic roadster with a background in American history. This is evident as Carmy shares extensive knowledge about the development of the U.S. interstate system, the Civil Rights Movement, and its impact on public transportation. Combined with insights into how dealers employ predatory tactics against inexperienced buyers, this guide serves to help you steer clear of the pitfalls.

      Redmond crafted the book primarily for car enthusiasts but mainly aims it at individuals who lack knowledge about vehicles. “If you have a friend who knows nothing about cars, you can give them this book as an introduction so they don’t end up leasing an M3 for thousands of dollars each month or something similar,” he chuckled.

      On a serious note, it’s a genuinely useful guide that can help you or someone you know avoid making a significant error. Buyers need to be informed; without that knowledge, they risk being exploited. Not all dealers are unscrupulous, but many are, and you shouldn't put so much money at stake. Keep in mind that the average transaction price for a new car has surpassed $50,000 for the very first time.

      You can purchase a physical copy of “How to (Not) Buy a Car” for just $7.99 here. A PDF version is also available for $4.99. Nobody’s profiting excessively from this, including dealers, if Carmy has anything to say about it.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly: caleb@thedrive.com