Why Maintaining Service Records Increases Your Car’s Value

Why Maintaining Service Records Increases Your Car’s Value

Our resident mechanic has tips for keeping value in your used car. Service records could be worth thousands of dollars when it’s time to sell.

Taking notes could be worth thousands of dollars when it’s time to sell your car.

Table of Contents

What Are Service Records?

Your car’s service record is simply an accounting of the history of your vehicle. In industry terms, your car’s service record typically refers to the information that would show up on a report like the ones issued by Carfax

The Carfax report includes an accounting of previous owners, accidents, major damage, repairs, and regular maintenance. 

But service records could also refer to that mess of mechanic receipts in your glove box (though that probably isn’t the best way to maintain your car’s service record, but more on that later).

How Do Service Records Raise Vehicle Value? 

It’s as simple as showing potential buyers that your car has been well taken care of over its lifespan. 

Which would you rather buy, a 2016 Toyota Corolla with 100,000 miles on it and zero oil changes, or a 2016 Toyota Corolla with 100,000 miles on it and quarterly oil changes? 

Can I Add Personal Maintenance to the Service Records?

If you’ve had regular maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, realignment, etc.) performed at your local dealership, your vehicle history report will show it. Potential buyers like to see the car they are purchasing is well taken care of. 

Think about it like your credit score, but for your car. It’s real, it matters, and you can certainly find out what it probably is. 

Maintenance at other mechanics or maintenance you perform yourself won’t show up on that report. So it’s important to be sure to bring your car to a dealership at regular intervals. 

You can upload your own service records to Carfax. But buyers tend to lend more weight to maintenance performed at dealerships than in your own garage. 

Similarly, you can hand over all the receipts in your glove compartment (but straighten them out and put them in a folder first 😉). But a folder of wrinkled paper receipts is less effective since most buyers will want to pull an official report anyway. 

Can I Access My Car Service Records? 

You certainly can. Some places charge and some places don’t, but there are plenty of options online for pulling your vehicle’s service records. Carfax is the industry leader for vehicle history reports (and they allow you to update your records), but it’ll cost at least $40 to get a report. 

You Want 5-Star Reviews? We’ve Got Plenty

You Want 5-Star Reviews? We’ve Got Plenty

Carmigo is the easiest way to sell your car on the internet. But don’t take our word for it. More than 500 other people think so too.

What We’re Loving: Carmigo hits the 500 5-star review mark.

Table of Contents

The word is out. Carmigo is the easiest way to sell your car on the internet. And you don’t have to take our word for it because we’ve got 500 other people who think so too.  It took us more than a year to get to 400 5-star reviews, and then it only took two more months to hit 500.  We’re proud of the platform we’ve built because it’s helped so many people save time, reduce stress, and even make some extra money selling their cars.  At Carmigo, making things easier is a driving mission, and it’s something everyone in the company is trying to do. So when we see reviews specifically talking about how easy or stress-free our process is, it feels good.  Like this review from Aaron M. last week:  “Surprisingly easy, Hassle-free experience and great customer service 👍” Here’s another new 5-star review from Stefanie S: “I was a bit wary of online car sales. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to sell my car! IN ADDITION, Carmigo was able to sell my car for $2000.00 MORE than any other dealership. I would recommend this company to everyone. FIVE STARS!”

There Has to be a Better Way

Carmigo started when our CEO began to notice frustration on both sides of the car-selling process. And not just the kind of frustration that happens when you wait on hold for a service provider. He heard from sellers who had trade-in experiences that ruined their weeks and even saw a disagreement come to fisticuffs at a wholesale auction.  The whole process was terrible for everyone. That’s why he started Carmigo, to make things easier for both sides. 

500 5-Star Reviews

We’ve written about our 5-star customer reviews before, and we’ll probably do it again. It’s not because we want to brag (okay, maybe we want to brag a little). But mostly we’re excited because we want to spread the word that there truly is an easier way to sell your car.  And we look at all our reviews, even the stinkers. That’s right, we’ve made platform, policy, and workflow changes based on our less-than-stellar reviews. If our system isn’t working for everyone, it’s not working. 
@gocarmigo For this installment of What We’re Working On, we are discussing transportation improvements. This opportunity to improve Carmigo is all thanks to responsive sellers like you. #improvements #fixedit4ya #carmigo #transportation ♬ Bright and Positive Hip Hop 3 minutes (background music) – MPmedia
To truly make Carmigo an easier selling experience for everyone, we have to keep our ears open to our sellers, buyers, and potential customers we’ve missed out on. The ones who found a glitch in the system or a friction point in our customer service.  So give us a shot. And just as importantly, let us know how we did. We’re not fishing for compliments. We’re fishing for feedback. 

The 5 Best Selling Used Cars for September

Red Light by Green Light

The 5 Best Selling Used Cars for September

Carmigo is bringing you the best selling used cars for Septermber (or at least our prediction). We’ve analyzed trends on our marketplace platform as well as the general car market and compared those with U.S. economic trends to help you decide if this is the month to sell your car, or if you should consider waiting.

Small cars, like this Volkswagen Jetta are some of the best selling used cars for september.
Tesla Model 3
small trucks like this Toyota Tacoma are some of the best selling used cars for september
the toyota rav4 is one of the best cars to sell in October

Best Selling Used Cars for September

Worst Cars to Sell in September

Porsche
Chevrolet Suburban
2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
Tesla Model 3

The Rating System

Our system is simple. We compare the prices from the Carmigo Marketplace with national auto sales and U.S. economic trends. We even talked to some of our dealership buyers to see what they plan to purchase in September. 

Cars that are regularly selling for higher prices are Green-Light Cars. Alternately, cars that are not selling as well or that have dipped in price are Red-Light Cars.

If you have a Green-Light Car, now is the time to sell. If you have a Red-Light Car, maybe wait and see. If we don’t mention your car, you can find out what we think it will sell for on the Carmigo Marketplace platform using our estimator tool.

But remember, these are simply our best guesses based on current trends. 

The Market

Overall, used car prices are continuing a downward trend through the last week of August. But you still may be able to squeak out a win selling your car in September. 

The market is stabilizing, but that doesn’t mean everyone is ready to spend again. Even as gas prices decreased in August, we saw a significant preference for smaller cars.

If you have a luxury or gas-guzzling car you want to sell, we could see prices for those vehicles going up in the fall, especially if market conditions continue to normalize. You may even want to test the market sooner than that (you can always test for free on Carmigo). 

Carmigo Operations Manager, Chris Michael, said his team has seen the most success with smaller vehicles over the past month. But he also said he’s seen more buyers showing up to the marketplace and making more offers in the week or two leading into September.

@gocarmigo It’s September and we have another update on the worst and best cars to sell this month. Does your car make our green-lit list? #carmigo #worstcars #bestcars #usedcarmarket #greenscreen ♬ September – norgebatista

Best Selling Used Cars for September

green light chat box

You've Got the Green-Light

Crossovers, like this Ford EcoSport are some of the best selling used cars going into August.

Small crossovers are a fuel-efficient alternative to SUVs. And SUVs are expensive to keep fueled. For this reason, we see cars like the Ford EcoSport and Toyota Rav4 sell well. 

Overall, crossovers aren’t selling for more than they were in previous months, but their used value is holding, which means a lot in this market. We’ve seen buyers make more offers on Volkswagen Tiguans, Jeep Cherokees, and the like than in previous months.

Last month we predicted fuel-efficient cars would sell well in August, and they did — except for compact cars. Small cars sold at a much higher rate and attracted higher average offers than expected (though still lower than peak prices this summer).

Vehicles like the Volkswagon Jetta and Toyota Corolla should continue to sell well as buyers wait for a little stability before shopping for larger, more expensive cars. 

Small cars, like this Volkswagen Jetta are some of the best selling used cars for september.
Minivans like this Chrysler Pacifica are some of the best selling used cars to sell in January.

Once again, we’re seeing consumers turn to vans and minivans as an alternative to less fuel-efficient and much more expensive SUVs. Vans like the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica have recently been popular.

On the other hand, we haven’t seen many vans or minivans listed on the Carmigo Marketplace platform in the past month. With the current market trends and lack of supply, September could be a good time to sell your van on Carmigo. 

As gas prices dropped in August, we saw some buyers taking chances on trucks. Overall, all vehicle segments saw declines in prices, but the small pickup category declined the least. 

We saw Toyota Tacomas sell well in August, especially compared with larger trucks. The smaller Chevrolet Silverados and Ford F-Series trucks also sold well in August. 

If market conditions continue to even out, consumer demand for all sizes of pickup trucks could begin increasing, but for now, small trucks are the only portion of the truck segment we’d recommend selling.

small trucks like this Toyota Tacoma are some of the best selling used cars for september
Tesla Model 3

The Inflation Reduction Act, which includes additional tax credits for EV owners has helped to sustain continued interest in EVs. And the additional credits will apply to used EVs starting in 2023. 

This sustained increase in EV prices can also be attributed to less EV inventory overall. Since electric and hybrid models are newer than most gas and diesel models, there are simply fewer available, so prices are holding strong while the rest of the market has seen declines.

The Carmigo platform has seen smaller EV and hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius and Chevy Bolt attract interest over the past month, but the best-selling EV was the Tesla Model 3 (as usual).

Worst Selling Used Cars

red light chat box

You've Got the Red Light

All of this month’s Red-Light cars come with one positive caveat: The cars that haven’t been selling well could start flying off the shelves soon.

Most of the market conditions that kept people from spending on larger and nicer vehicles have begun to resolve themselves (gas prices and inflation). If those continue to trend in a positive direction, this month’s Red-Light cars could be next month’s Green-Light cars. 

Porche Cayenne

Unless your luxury car is a hybrid or EV, you’ll probably want to hold onto it until the market is a little more stable. When prices start moving and economists start talking about inflation, most folks pause all luxury spending. 

Good news here, inflation is slowing, gas prices are going back down, and dealerships are starting to buy more cars than a month ago. This means you may be able to get a decent price for your fancy ride if you can hold out for another month.

Large SUVs are both expensive to buy, expensive to refuel, and expensive to maintain. For all of those reasons, buyers have been wary of committing to such large and expensive purchases. 

But people love large SUVs. And the economy is looking a little less scary as we approach fall. So hold onto your SUV for just a little while longer. Go ahead and start vacuuming up all those crumbs in the backseat. Maybe get a detail and an oil change. That way you’ll be ready when prices trend back up.

Chevrolet Suburban
2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

Trucks were selling for all-time record high prices earlier this year. And then all of a sudden the bottom fell out of the truck market. Who wants to drive a truck that gets 12 miles to the gallon when gas costs $4 per gallon? Not me. 

But gas prices are going back down. And the economy needs trucks. Even if commuters quit buying trucks, the demand for work trucks can keep the entire truck segment afloat. Buyers could start clamoring for trucks once they’ve seen a few months of steady gas prices.

The Best Way to Sell Your Green-Light Car

Shameless Plug: A lot of these price trends are based on the Carmigo Marketplace data. Carmigo is a one-of-a-kind platform that lets private car owners sell their used cars to dealerships.

Note: These predictions are simply that: predictions. We cannot tell the future. They are based on trends we’ve seen in the marketplace but are not a guarantee of future market outcomes. 

Tesla Model 3 Brings Electric Power to the Suburbs

red light by green light logo

Tesla Model 3 Brings Electric Power to the Suburbs

Bringing Electric Power to the Suburbs

The Tesla Model 3 made the hottest new automotive technology available to more drivers than ever before by making it affordable. Well, affordable to the upper end of the American middle class. 

For years, futuristic EV sightings were rare, the kind of thing we shared excitedly over dinner. “You’ll never believe what I saw on my way into town this morning. An electric car!” But now Tesla Model 3 is everywhere all at once. And it’s extended range models allow people who live further from urban centers to make the EV switch.

Tesla Model 3 interior photo

Affordability

The 2022 base model retails for $47,000. The Performance model is nearly $20,000 more, so the model certainly has range.

But the more affordable version of the luxurious and innovative Tesla sacrifices some performance and quality. Issues aside, it’s one of the hottest selling cars since its release in 2017.

Popularity

There is no doubt that the Tesla Model 3 is popular. In the first quarter of 2019, it accounted for 63% of all EV sales. The car has continued to break its year-over-year sales records, even though other EVs have surpassed its sales (the Tesla Model Y).

One downside to driving the latest piece of automotive technology is testing out the kinks. Since Teslas have only been on the market for five years, there are still some issues with them, the Model 3 being no exception.

But even with the list of customer complaints, the car remains very popular with its avid following. 

Resell Value

One thing that makes a Tesla so popular is its value on the used-car market. Until recently, Tesla owners were turning significant profits buying new Teslas at sticker price and then reselling them used. 

This is partially because the vehicle hasn’t been in production long enough to meet the demand, and supply chain problems have caused production to scale more slowly than it would otherwise have. 

Even as the used car market normalizes, relatively new Teslas are selling for close to the list price for a new car.

Sell Your Tesla Model 3 on Carmigo

Thinking about upgrading to a new Tesla? See how much money you could make by selling your car on Carmigo’s one-day marketplace today. 

Teslas top the lists of most popular, best-selling, and most fuel-efficient cars year over year. And that means they maintain a high sell value year after year. 

At Carmigo, we sell Teslas to our network of dealerships almost every day. 

Trim Specs

2022 Tesla Model 3

It’s hard to call a car the “base” model when it has top-of-class mileage and electric range with horsepower comparable to most every sedan on the market. 

Starting MSRP Range Seats Top Speed 0–60 Drivetrain HP
$46,990
267
5
140 mph
5.8
RWD
201

2022 Tesla Model 3 | Long Range

This is the model for drivers who want to go a little farther and get there a little faster. For a few thousand extra dollars, Model 3 Long Range owners get a few thousand dollars worth of upgrades, namely to the engine. This car features all-wheel drive, an extended range, and lots more horsepower. 

Starting MSRP Range Seats Top Speed 0–60 Drivetrain HP
$52,990
358
5
145 mph
4.2
AWD
346

2022 Tesla Model 3 | Performance

The Tesla Model 3 Performance trim adds a massive amount of power to an already impressive car. This EV can accelerate to 60 miles per hour from a stop in three seconds. Its EPA estimated range is 315 miles on a single charge, and it tops out at 162 miles per hour with 450 horsepower. 

This model also comes with 20-inch Überturbine wheels, performance brakes, a carbon fiber spoiler, and aluminum alloy pedals. 

Starting MSRP Range Seats Top Speed 0–60 Drivetrain HP
$62,990
315
5
162 mph
3.1
AWD
450

What We’re Loving: A Successful Investment Round

What We’re Loving: A Successful Investment Round

Our first round of funding is in the books and the money is in the bank. We raised $7 million in investments and we couldn’t be more excited.

Carmigo Raised $7 Million in Latest Investment Round

Table of Contents

Carmigo’s first round of investment is in the books, and the money is in the bank.

We raised $7 million in our latest round of investments, and we couldn’t be more excited. And yes, millions of dollars is exciting. But we’re even more excited about what that money means. 

It means we can keep making our car-selling platform easier to use. We can make it even easier for sellers to get multiple offers on their cars, and for dealerships to keep used cars in stock. 

Investment in Our Idea

This investment means sellers are responding positively to our product, which wasn’t always a given.

Two years ago, our founders, Andrew, Daniel, and Sean, got a crazy idea to create a wholesale marketplace that exists entirely in a cell phone web browser. 

And they did it. And not only does it work, but it works great. 

Right on the tail of closing this investment round, we’ll break the 500 5-Star reviews mark. 

What started as a crazy idea is turning out to be a helpful tool for people who need to sell their cars.  

Room to Innovate

This $7 million investment in Carmigo also shows that we have room to innovate even more. We can dedicate resources to making our app easier or open the platform to new groups. 

With this investment, we can dedicate even more time to honing the experience so that it’s the best way to sell your car on the internet.

And we’ve begun implementing significant changes, thanks to feedback from both buyers and sellers. 

We’ve seen interest in using Carmigo from businesses and organizations in new industries. This investment means we can spend more time making Carmigo work for even more people. 

Investment in Carmigo’s Future

Here’s what our CEO Andrew had to say about it, “This round close is a significant milestone for Carmigo. We are proud of what we have built, but this recent investment makes us excited for what’s to come.”

Thank you for being a part of building the best auto marketplace on the internet. We’re excited to continue making it better. 

Gas Prices and Inflation Are Down, for Now

Gas Prices and Inflation Are Down, for Now

August is the most normal the US economy has been in years. But what does that even mean? Inflation has slowed and gas prices are lower.

August 2022 Market Watch

Table of Contents

August 2022 Inflation line graph

August is the most normal the US economy has been in years. But what does that even mean? 

Well, inflation has slowed down (a little), and gas prices are much lower than they were a few months ago. At the same time, new car production is ticking back up, and used car prices are starting to normalize. 

Inflation Slowed More Than Expected 

August 2022 Inflation line graph

At the time of publication, inflation in the US economy slowed. In fact, the inflation rate was lower than it’s been since the spring.

Quick Definition: Inflation is the gradual increase in prices and/or gradual reduction in the value of a currency. So the inflation rate is the rate at which prices increase.

So the slowing of the inflation rate means that the prices we’ve seen rising all around us are beginning to normalize again. 

Lower inflation means lower prices, which is good for almost all American consumers. But if you’re selling a car, it could mean a slightly lower price for you. 

Inflation is almost always going up but at a low and consistent rate. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation increased by more than 9% in June, nearly double the rate from a year ago. But in July, inflation was down to 8.5%. 

Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, we can expect to see continued decreases, though an immediate return to 5% is unlikely. 

Gas Prices on Their Way Down

August 2022 gas prices

The great gas price hike of 2022 may finally be over. Gas Prices are finally dropping after reaching all-time highs.

Last week the average national regular gas price dropped below $4 per gallon for the first time since March, according to AAA. As of publication, the average price of a gallon of regular gas is 3.943, down seven cents from last week and nearly 60 cents from a month ago. But that’s still more than 75 cents higher than last year. 

Even With Prices Falling, Americans Are Driving Less

Gas prices are going down but Americans are still driving less.

A survey by AAA found drivers are changing their driving habits to keep their gas consumption in line with their budget. More than 60 percent of US adults have already made changes since the historic rise in gas prices began this spring. 

New Car Production Steady, Inventory Up

New car production has finally had time to begin catching up following pandemic production shortages. 

According to the Cox Automotive monthly industry update, new vehicle inventory is up 2% over last year. That’s 20,000 more vehicles on the lot. While this is only a drop in the bucket, increased supply will eventually lead to price normalization, which we’re already beginning to see in used car sales. 

Used Car Prices Normalize

The Cox Automotive report contains the headline: “Used Prices Back to Depreciation.” That means used cars are finally selling for less than their new car sticker price. 

But the listing price for used cars is still 11% higher than last year. 

That means many sellers are trying to sell used cars for more than buyers are willing to pay. 

The trend seems to be on the buyers’ side, but we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out. 

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index has wholesale used vehicle prices down 3.6% from July to August but still more than 6% higher than a year ago. 

We expect used car prices will continue to drop. But remember, used car prices are still at an all-time high. 

New EV Tax Credits

The Inflation Reduction Act expands the current EV Tax Credits as a part of lowering the demand for gas and overall inflation.

Getting an EV tax credit might seem a little confusing on the surface. But with a little research, the help of a good car salesman, and some patience during tax season, you could get up to $7,500 back on your federal taxes. 

The new Inflation Reduction Act also opens up the EV tax credit to Americans purchasing used EVs. The Congressional Budget Office has reported nearly 25,000 used EVs will qualify for up to $4,000 in tax credit in 2023.

If you’ve been on the fence about an EV purchase, now is the time to take advantage of federal funds. When you file, you will start saving on gas immediately, and up to $7,500 will be added to your final tax return (or subtracted from your bill). You can put that toward anything, but if you put it toward your car, you’ll be looking at lower monthly payments and reduced maintenance and fuel costs.

What’s All This Mean For You?

Well, you should certainly be saving money on gas. And as inflation continues to slow, prices will hopefully go down on a lot of the stuff you buy. 

But if you’re trying to sell a used car, we may be at the tail end of a historic price peak. That doesn’t mean you’ll lose all the value you have in your car if you sell it later. It just means you may miss out on record used-car price highs. 

Are you thinking of selling your car now? Give Carmigo a shot. We make it super easy to sell your car. You can build your car’s listing in less than 15 minutes, and we can start getting offers from our network of dealerships in as little as one business day. 

How The Inflation Reduction Act Could Get You a $7,500 EV Tax Credit

How The Inflation Reduction Act Could Get You a $7,500 EV Tax Credit

The EV tax credit in the new Inflation Reduction Act is designed to increase the adoption of electric vehicles while lowering gas prices.

Inflation is in every headline, but what does it mean for you?

Table of Contents

The EV tax credits in the new Inflation Reduction Act are designed to increase the adoption of electric vehicles while lowering fuel demand (and prices).

At the time of publication, inflation in the US economy slowed. In fact, the inflation rate was lower than it’s been since the spring.

Inflation is the gradual increase in prices and/or gradual reduction in the value of a currency. So the inflation rate is the rate at which prices increase.

So the slowing of the inflation rate means that the prices we’ve seen rising all around us are beginning to normalize again. This is certainly a good sign for the American consumer. 

What Does Inflation Have to Do with EVs?

As a part of reducing prices, the Inflation Reduction Act aims to decrease the fastest growing prices, which include gas. 

The more of a gas (or anything) that’s available in a market, the less expensive it will be. If demand for gas goes down, so will the price. Similarly, if supply goes, the price will go down. 

This new law will also work to reduce demand by incentivizing American drivers to purchase electric vehicles through tax credits. 

How Do I Get an EV Tax Credit? 

Getting an EV tax credit might seem a little confusing on the surface. But with a little research and patience, you could get up to $7,500 back on your federal taxes. 

The tax credit is an extension of a previously existing credit. One important change is that all new qualifying vehicles must be assembled in North America. 

You can find out if the car you’re thinking of purchasing was assembled in North America using this VIN Decoder from the US Department of Transportation. 

After purchasing a qualifying vehicle, be sure to keep your documents in a safe place until tax season. When you fill out your taxes, remember to let your accountant, tax filer, or TurboTax know about your purchase.

A consumer reports survey showed that more than 50% of buyers are more likely to buy an electric vehicle if it comes with a hefty tax credit. 

Which Vehicles Qualify for an EV Tax Credit?

The US Department of Energy maintains a list of vehicles that currently qualify for the tax credit. But, the old EV tax credit law maintained a cap for how many credits could be issued to each manufacturer, so be sure you aren’t buying a car from a manufacturer that’s already met it’s cap for the year. Or wait until January when those caps roll off. 

This tax credit is only available to US families that make less than $300,000, but that means something like 90% of US households qualify. 

The EV Tax Credit Is for Used Cars Too

The new Inflation Reduction Act also opens up the EV tax credit to Americans purchasing used EVs.

This is a first-time tax credit that may be worth waiting until January for if you’re in the market for a used car.  

Any household that makes less than $150,000 or individual who makes under $75,000 qualifies for a tax credit equal to $4,000 or 30 percent of the sale price (depending on which is lower). 

The Congressional Budget Office has reported nearly 25,000 used EVs will qualify for up to $4,000 in tax credit in 2023.

Used EV purchasers don’t have to worry about the North American assembly requirement, but will have to purchase the EV from a dealership to qualify. 

Make the Switch and Save With an EV Tax Credit

If you’ve been on the fence about an EV purchase, now is the time to take advantage of federal funds. You will start saving on gas immediately, and up to $7,500 will be added to your final tax return (or subtracted from your bill) when you file. You can put that toward anything, but if you put it toward your car you’ll be looking at lower monthly payments and reduced maintenance and fuel costs.

EV PRICES ARTICLE

When you decide to make the switch, list your car on Carmigo. 

It’s the easiest way to sell your car, and you can do it all from the comfort of your phone without ever leaving your home. We legit had two people list their cars while pumping gas last week. 

List your car in as few as 15 minutes, and sell it in as little as one business day. 

When you decide to make the switch, list your car on Carmigo. 

It’s the easiest way to sell your car, and you can do it all from the comfort of your phone without ever leaving your home. We legit had two people list their cars while pumping gas last week. 

List your car in as few as 15 minutes, and sell it in as little as one business day. 

Is the Great Gas Price Hike of 2022 Over?

Is the Great Gas Price Hike of 2022 Over?

Gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since early spring 2022. That’s right, the great gas hike of 2022 is coming to an end.

Gas Prices are finally dropping after reaching all-time highs.

Table of Contents

Gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since early spring 2022. That’s right, the great gas hike of 2022 is coming to an end (fingers crossed). 

Gas Prices Are Falling

Last week the average national regular gas price dropped below $4 per gallon for the first time since March, according to AAA. As of publication, the average price of a gallon of regular gas is 3.943, down seven cents from last week and nearly 60 cents from a month ago. But that’s still more than 75 cents higher than this time last year. 

Daily Decline Streak

The average national gas price has declined every single day since its June 14 peak at $5.02. That’s a 63-day streak of falling gas prices. 

Some of this relief comes from a global decline in demand for a number of reasons including COVID shutdowns in China and reduced driving in response to the high prices. 

And fuel released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has increased supply and helped lower prices. 

Even With Prices Falling, Americans Are Driving Less

Gas prices are going down but Americans are still driving less.

A survey by AAA found drivers are changing their driving habits to keep their gas consumption in line with their budget. In fact, more than 60 percent of US adults already made changes since the historic rise in gas prices began this spring. 

Those plans include driving less, combining errands, reducing shopping and dining out trips, putting off large purchases, postponing vacations, carpooling, using public transportation, and even switching to an EV or more fuel-efficient car.

Consumer demand for fuel has gone up as prices have gone back up, but it’s still hundreds of thousands of barrels a day lower than it was at this time in 2021. 

Will Gas Prices Go Back Up?

Experts disagree on whether gas prices will continue to drop, level out, or go back up. But all sides of the argument agree on the uncertainty the future holds. 

Here are the factors that will affect gas prices going forward:

What Do These Gas Prices Mean for You?

Well, you’re certainly going to be saving money at the pump in the coming weeks, and possibly even months. After such a high price hike this summer, however, it’s doubtful prices will dip back to pandemic levels.

Many Americans have an opportunity to save money when they sell their combustion engine vehicle and make the switch to an EV. Language in the new  Inflation Reduction Act signed into law this week sets aside up to $7,500 in tax credits for anyone who purchases a qualifying new EV. And the law will eventually extend that credit to used EVs with $4,000 in credits. 

Read more about how the Inflation Reduction Act can save you money by switching to an EV. And if you do make the switch, Carmigo can save you money when you sell your car.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Is a Family Sedan with Comfort and Flair

red light by green light logo

2022 Hyundai Sonata Is a Family Sedan with Comfort and Flair

GL_Icon_Vertical

Green Light Car

The Hyundai Sonata is an August 2022 Green-Light Car on the Carmigo Marketplace. Thanks to its year-to-year reliability and good fuel economy, the Sonata sales and Sonata sell prices are on the way up headed into August.

An Affordable Family Sedan with Comfort and Flair

The Hyundai Sonata is a safe, affordable, and fuel-efficient family sedan. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata continues in that tradition while evolving into a car that stands out visually from other sedans. And this year’s class of Sonatas features three hybrid models, increasing the already impressive fuel economy. 

In 2020, Hyundai redesigned the car to add visual flair to its reliable sedan. In 2021, the automaker added the N-Line with a 290 horsepower turbo-four engine.

Hyundai Sonata N-Line

Consistently Reliable

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata’s five-star NHTSA crash-test rating (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) cements it as one of the safest cars on the road, year after year.

Fuel Economy

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata is one of the most fuel-efficient sedans on the market. Even its N-Line trim with 290-horsepower, a 2.5L turbo engine gets more than 30 highway miles to the gallon.

The Sonata Hybrid Blue model gets 54 miles to the gallon. And the Sonata SE, with its all-gas engine, even gets 38 miles to the gallon.

Affordable

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE (base model) lists at $24,500 new, and the premium hybrid model tops the trim packages at $35,700. These prices are higher than the most basic sedan models but still much lower than the most expensive sedans in the 2022 class. 

Sell Your Hyundai Sonata on Carmigo

Thinking about upgrading to a new Sonata? See how much money you could make by selling your car on Carmigo’s one-day marketplace today. 

Sonatas top the lists of most reliable, longest-lasting, and safest cars each year. And that means they maintain a high sell value year after year. 

At Carmigo, we sell Sonatas to our network of dealerships almost every day. 

Trim Specs

2022 Hyundai Sonata SE

The base model has an affordable sticker price, and it’s cheap at the gas pump. 

This model includes all driver assist features like lane assist, rear view parking guidance, driver attention warning, pedestrian and forward collision monitoring, smart cruise control, and the unique rear-occupant alert.

It also comes standard with an 8-inch color touchscreen display audio system featuring Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$24,500⁠
28/38
5
2.5 L 4-Cyl.
FWD
191

2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL

The SEL includes all of the safety and driver assist features of the SE but adds some style and comfort. 

The Hyundai Sonata SEL featured heated front seats, a rear center armrest with dual cup holders, and an 8-way adjustable driver seat. The digital entertainment system includes Sirius XM and Bluetooth Link.

To top it all off, the SEL adds proximity key entry and push button start. 

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$26,250⁠
27/37
5
2.5 L 4-Cyl.
FWD
191

2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus

The Sonata SEL Plus is the most affordable model featuring the Sonata comfort package, which is very comfy. It’s also the least expensive model to feature a turbo engine and 19-inch alloy wheels. 

Sonata Comfort Package: 
 – Panoramic sunroof
 – 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster
 –
Hyundai Digital Key
 –
Wireless device charging
 –
Auto-dimming mirror
 –
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
 –
2nd-row air vent
 –
LED interior lights
 –
USB charge port (2nd row)

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$31,450⁠
27/37
5
1.6L Turbo 4 -Cyl.
FWD
180

2022 Hyundai Sonata N-Line

The Sonata N-Line adds 100 horsepower to the turbo engine, sports seats, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters, a racing body kit, and twin tip dual exhaust

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$33,750⁠
23/33
5
2.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder
FWD
290

2022 Hyundai Sonata Limited

The Limited is an upgrade on the SEL with premium LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, parking collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, ventilated front seats, surround view monitoring, remote smart parking, heated steering wheel, heads-up color display, and 64-color ambient lighting. 

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$34,400⁠
27/37
5
1.6L Turbo 4-Cylinder
FWD
180

2022 Hyundai Sonata N-Line

The Sonata N-Line adds 100 horsepower to the turbo engine, sports seats, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters, a racing body kit, and twin tip dual exhaust

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$34,750⁠
23/33
5
2.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder
FWD
290

2022 Hyundai Sonata Blue | Hybrid

The Sonata N-Line adds 100 horsepower to the turbo engine, sports seats, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters, a racing body kit, and twin tip dual exhaust

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$27,350⁠
54/52
5
2L 4-Cylinder
FWD
192

2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL | Hybrid

The Sonata SEL Hybrid sacrifices a little bit of fuel efficiency for a lot of comfort. The SEL features all the same features of the Blue with upgrades including 17-inch eco-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, acoustic film front door glass, eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar, heated front seats, premium bose audio with 12 speakers, wireless device charging, 4.2-inch color LCD instrument cluster display, the Hyundai digital key, and dual USB ports. 

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$30,100⁠
51/47
5
2L 4-Cylinder
FWD
192

2022 Hyundai Sonata Limited | Hybrid

The Sonata Limited Hybrid brings safety and luxury to the already impressive. These upgrades include parking collision-avoidance assist, parking distance warning, highway driving assist, remote smart parking assist, premium LED headlights, a solar roof, rain-sensing wipers, leather seating, ventilated front seats, an integrated memory system for driver seat and side mirrors, a rear center armrest with dual cup holders, a 10.25-inch color touchscreen control center including traffic flow and navigation, surround view monitoring, heated steering wheel, color heads-up display, 12.3-inch color LCD instrument color display, blind-spot monitoring, LED interior lights, 62-color ambient lighting, and dynamic voice recognition. 

Starting MSRP MPG Seats Engine Drivetrain HP
$35,700⁠
51/47
5
2L 4-Cylinder
FWD
192

Carmigo Vs. the Competition

Carmigo Vs. the Competition

Before you try to sell your car to one national retailer, see how Carmigo stacks up — Carmigo vs the competition.

When You Sell to One Dealer, You Get the Lowest Offer

Table of Contents

Carmigo is the latest in a series of companies that have innovated the car-selling process, but is it better than the sales platforms that came before? We think so, but decide for yourself — Carmigo vs the competition. 

Carmigo took the online selling format and added the opportunity for car owners to participate in a larger wholesale-style marketplace with a network of participating buyers. 

It sounds complicated, but here’s a quick breakdown of why that’s better. 

Carmigo vs the Competition 

  • Carvana
    • Simple Online Process
    • Those Cool Elevators
    • One Offer, No Explanation 
    • Carvana Controls the Transaction
  • CarMax
    • Simple Process
    • Efficient Trade-In System
    • Lower Offers
    • In-Person Inspection Required
  • Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer
    • Quick Estimate
    • In-Person Inspection Required
    • Offer expires
  • Carmigo
    • 15-Minute Digital Inspection
    • Sell in as little as a day
    • Competitive Offers
    • No Paperwork
    • No Driving

You're selling your car from your phone, so let's pit CarMax vs Carmigo, and Carmigo vs the competition.

Selling Your Car is Easier Than Ever

Carmax, Carvana, and Kelley Blue Book have all made it easier to sell your car. Thanks to those companies, you can spend a lot less time advertising your car in the newspaper and online marketplaces. And you don’t have to haggle with strangers either.

But at Carmigo, we think we’ve made selling your car even easier. 

With Carmigo, you can list your car to our network of dealerships in 15 minutes or less. Those dealerships then compete for your car in a one-day marketplace, so you get offers and you get them fast.

Instead of getting one offer from one dealership, you find out the highest price dealerships all over the country are willing to pay. And the dealerships who need your car might even engage in a bidding war, driving the price higher with each new offer. 

This process creates a fair-market offer for your car, instead of an offer based on the needs of one national retailer like Carmax and Carvana.

Read more about how Carmigo stacks up against each of these national car-selling platforms: 

Carmigo Makes it Seriously Easy to Sell Your Car

We’re not going to tell you we’re perfect, but we’re honestly trying to build the easiest, fairest car selling experience on the internet.  So read some of our reviews, good and bad (and there are way more good than bad).

Carmigo vs the competition

Who Wins? Carmigo vs the Competition

There is nothing wrong with selling a car to CarMax. The company has done a lot of innovation in the online car sales space and has locations in every metro area.  But, just because CarMax is a good way to sell your car doesn’t mean it’s the best way to sell it. In fact, you’ll probably be leaving money on the table. 

Get more money with Carmigo

CarMax and Carvana each offer you one offer for your vehicle. That means the offer is based on their national inventory needs. And they have access to cars from all over the country. What happens when we pit Carmigo vs the competition?

But Carmigo is a platform that connects you to multiple retailers, offering you multiple offers. Which would you rather have? One offer for your car, or multiple? Carmigo has dealerships across multiple states actively competing for cars just like yours. These dealerships are already competing through closed auctions across the country. But now, Carmigo is giving you direct access to list your vehicle in a similar-style marketplace platform allowing dealerships to compete with each other for your car. Plus it’s all done through your phone. How cool is that? Choose Carmigo to sell your car; you won’t regret it.

The easy way to sell your car

At Carmigo, the process is even easier. All you have to do is give us your vehicle’s basic information and snap a few guided photos to build your vehicle listing.  Then, just sit back, relax, and watch in real-time as offers come in for your vehicle. After your car sells, we handle all the paperwork, transfers, and transportation. We do all the work, so you don’t have to. Yeah, we really just made selling your vehicle that easy. And we will get you more money for your car. Try Carmigo today and see what real, hassle-free happiness is all about.