“It’s that paint job.”
A Hyundai dealership salesman explained why employees don’t want their cars to ever “have a birthday” on their lot. But a “car birthday” could be a great thing for buyers.
Costa (@costacreatescardeals) explained what a “car birthday” means—it essentially means a car has been sitting on a dealer’s lot for a year.
According to AutoTrader, this is an excessive amount of time for a car to go without being purchased. The outlet states anything beyond 90 days is considered a problem. So 275 days more than that could be called a problem. And Costa agrees. He used a Palisade XRT Pro that just isn’t selling at his dealership as an example in his video.
“Behind me right now is a vehicle that’s almost had a birthday. That’s a bad thing at a car dealership. If a vehicle has been sitting on the lot for over 365 days, that means it’s had a birthday,” he explains to viewers.
“And this vehicle has to go. Before I show you what it is, it does have a $10,000 lift kit on it, which we are not passing on to the customer. We are selling it at a crazy price. Let me show y’all,” he says.
At first glance, it’s understandable why many shoppers would probably decide to pass on the vehicle.
While it does have a shiny white paint job, the vehicle is covered in several hand paint decals of various colors. A closer examination of the vehicle reveals that the car was used as part of Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels program. It’s a charity that’s existed since 1998. And, according to the Korean automaker’s website, it secured $303 million in funding for children’s cancer research. In fact, University Hospitals wrote in a Sept. 8, 2026 post that it received $400,000 for pediatric cancer research from the initiative.
While this work is admirable, it’s not difficult to imagine why prospective buyers don’t want to be confused with a humanitarian agency while on their daily commutes.
Costa then goes on to discuss just how steeply the Palisade’s been marked down. “Initially priced at 62, but now we got it for 54, as you can see,” he says, showing off the price tag hanging from the vehicle’s rearview mirror.
Next, he cracks open the front door of the vehicle to showcase its interior. “So if you’re looking for a great deal and you want the XRT Palisade, direct message me, and let me know. Because this one right here … it’s discounted; it’s gonna move quick. I don’t want you to miss out,” he says before the video comes to a close.
Many commenters expressed confusion over the car’s appearance, stating that they didn’t think the car looked lifted at all. “Where’s the lift kit?” one asked, directly.
“$10k lift kit? Is it Gravedigger?” someone else quipped, stating that such an expensive add-on should make the Palisade look like a Monster Truck.
“$10k lift kit? They lift it 1 [inch]?” another person asked. Costa clarified in a comment response that the vehicle was actually lifted two inches.
Another commenter pointed out the reason they believe the vehicle isn’t selling. “It’s that paint job. Can you get it without all those hands on it?” they asked.
Costa shared that they can be removed. “Yes those are just stickers,” he said, which prompted another viewer to encourage the dealership to take them off if they were interested in moving the vehicle.
As this car reviewer pointed out, the 2026 model of the XRT Pro, which is the second-highest premium trim level offered by the Korean automaker, adds an inch more of ground clearance than other packages. Additionally, AWD comes standard on this model, as do all-terrain tires. Other touches include an Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential (E-LSD). This helps the car to distribute torque through its rear axle, which assists in gripping loose road textures. This means drivers should experience better grip when traveling over mud, gravel, loose rocks, or uneven passages.
Also, this Hyundai Dealership points out that “improved approach, departure, and breakover angles (20.5°, 22.4°, and 18.3° respectively)” are what set the XRT Pro apart from other models in the Palisade lineup. These bespoke features could be why this particular model isn’t selling when compared to other Palisades, however.
Off-road enthusiasts probably aren’t running to dealerships in search of a Hyundai Palisade. But that’s not to say sales of the XRT Pro are necessarily poor. This trim reportedly accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of all new Palisades sold.
The most popular models are ones designed and marketed to be family haulers. The SEL & SEL Convenience trims, which nab slightly better fuel economy to boot, make up 45% to 50% of Palisade sales. And the creme de la creme of the Palisade lineup, the Calligraphy and Calligraphy Night variants, comprise 30% of all Palisades coming off the lot.
However, it’s hard to argue against the value of the XRT Pro. Drivers get 360-degree cameras, a 14-speaker Bose system, that bespoke rear differential, a bit more ground clearance, and beefier 18-inch tires.
The question is, however, would you want to get one with an advertisement for children’s cancer research funding plastered all over the car?
Motor1 has reached out to Costa via TikTok direct message for further comment.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
– The Motor1.com Team