Luis Hidalgo

Automotive news & finance intelligence.
Loan rates • Lease deals • Market updates • Dealer insights.
📍 Waterloo Premier Auto sales — Hutto, TX 🇺🇸

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

RECALL ALERT Ford F-150

1,392,935 trucks affected (2015-2017 F-150, 6R80 6-speed auto)

Issue: Transmission may unexpectedly downshift into 2nd gear loss of vehicle control

Fix: Free software update at Ford/Lincoln dealer. Owner letters mailing April 27, repair letters July.

Check your VIN: https://t.co/GpFpUTO8Fs
Ford hotline: [phone]
If you own a 2015-2017 F-150, repost so someone sees this.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@Kissimisu Yo creo que mas de 365 veces al año!

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@GuyDealership As a Texas dealer, what I’m watching: how many owners actually book appointments before the formal remedy letter in July.

Ford’s 150 recalls last year showed most owners ignore the interim letter. Shops that automate the outreach capture the repair traffic AND the trade-ins.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

Buying a used car this week? Check for open recalls BEFORE you sign anything.

Here’s the 2-minute move that could save you a huge headache:

1.Get the VIN from the seller
2.Go to https://t.co/GpFpUTNAPU
3.Paste the VIN
4.See every open recall on that exact vehicle

If there are open recalls, you have leverage.
Either:

✅ The dealer fixes them before you take delivery (free)

✅ You negotiate the price down

✅ You walk away

Most buyers never do this. Dealers aren’t going to remind you.

Takes 2 minutes. Can save you thousands.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

The 20/4/10 rule for buying a car:

20 → minimum down payment (%)

4 → max loan term (years)

10 → max % of gross income on all car costs combined (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance)

If the car you want fails this test, you can’t afford that car.

Simple as that.

Most people break all three rules at the dealership then spend 5 years regretting it.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

Your credit score is worth thousands on a car loan. Here’s the proof 👇

Average auto loan rates this week:

New: ~7.00%

Used: ~11.9%

But the “average” lies. What you actually pay:

780+ → 4.66%
661-780 → 6-9%
601-660 → 10-13%
501-600 → 13-18%
Below 500 → 16%+

Same $30K car, 5-year loan:

780 score pays $3,960 in interest
580 score pays $14,800

That’s an $11,000 gap. For the exact same car.

Fed held steady in March rates aren’t dropping much this year. Best move: fix your credit BEFORE the dealership, not after.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@oriveneca Hasta los momentos no ha sucedido nada en Maracay toda mi familia se encuentra allá

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@unlimited_ls @GregAbbott_TX

[Sergio Pérez @SChecoPerez]

¿Se acuerdan que les dije que nos volveríamos a ver?

#WeAreBack #SP11

[Cadillac Formula 1 Team @Cadillac_F1]

All eyes on 2026 👀 Our driver line-up is locked in @valtteribottas @schecoperez 🔒

Read more: https://t.co/6AtpicZS41

[Darth Powell @VladTheInflator]

Rents in Austin Texas have fallen 23% so far.

[Nathan Bernier @KUTnathan]

Expanded I-35 at 6th Street with and without caps

[ESPN F1 @ESPNF1]

Cadillac unveils the look for their Formula 1 team in Miami 👀

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@financedystop Fake unless you are outside Austin city limits.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@CXTKRS1 @financedystop This is totally fake

[Formula 1 @F1]

The moment of victory 🤩

Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to take his first win for @ScuderiaFerrari

#F1Sprint #ChineseGP

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@RepCasar You should be fire…

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@amuse @AmyMek @GregAbbott_TX

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@SarabiaTX Even the liberal people of Austin don’t attend; they’re too busy with SXSW.

[Luis Hidalgo @Luishidalgo88]

@ABC That’s no a woman… that is a dude a real one.