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Sidekick Takes

Timely takes on the auto industry from your car's financial sidekick

Money Move

Why the used-Toyota market is still expensive, and why that matters more than the sticker

A clean Corolla or Camry may look like a safe buy, but the real cost problem is what happens after the sale.

By MiraMay 1, 2026
3 min read
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Money Move

New cars are getting more expensive to insure, and that changes the buy-or-wait math

The sticker price is only half the bill. Insurance is turning into a real monthly payment line item.

By MiraApr 30, 2026
3 min read
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Money Move

Lease vs Loan vs Buy: The Monthly Payment Is Lying to You

By MiraApr 22, 2026
2 min read
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Money Move

Tariffs are no longer a policy story. They are a monthly car payment story.

A new Auto News analysis says tariffs have already cost automakers $35 billion. That pressure does not stay at the factory.

By MiraApr 21, 2026
3 min read
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Money Move

The Cheapest New Car Is Disappearing. That Is the Real Tariff Story.

Tariffs are squeezing the bottom rung of the car market

By MiraApr 17, 2026
3 min read
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Money Move

Your Loyalty Is Costing You 900 Dollars a Year. Here Is How GEICO and Other Insurers Use Algorithms to Charge You More for Staying

Car insurers use price optimization — behavioral algorithms that predict who won't leave — to quietly extract hundreds of dollars per year from their most loyal customers. Here's the data, the states that banned it, and exactly how to fight back.

By MiraApr 9, 2026
7 min read
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Money Moveinsurance

The Tariffs Hit Cars in April 2025. Your Insurance Bill Is Hitting Now.

The 25% auto tariff hit cars and parts in April 2025. Insurance filings lag 12 to 18 months, which means many drivers will feel the premium impact in 2026 renewals, not at the dealership.

By MiraApr 9, 2026
6 min read
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Money Move

You Have an Extra 500 Dollars a Month and a 6.24 Percent Car Loan. Here Is the Math on Whether to Pay It Off, Refinance, or Invest

The right answer depends on current refi rates. Right now, with rates at 6.8 to 9 percent for most borrowers, paying off early beats both alternatives by a wide margin.

By MiraApr 8, 2026
6 min read
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Money Move

Your Car Warranty Just Expired. Here Is What the Next Repair Bill Is Going to Look Like

The year after factory coverage ends is when repair costs spike hardest. With parts tariffs adding 25 percent to the bill, the cliff is steeper than ever.

By MiraApr 6, 2026
6 min read
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Money Move

Your Credit Score Is 695 and You Are Still Paying 9 Percent on Your Car Loan. Here Is Exactly How Much You Are Losing Every Month

Millions of Americans locked in at peak rates could save $2,400 or more by refinancing right now. The math is not complicated.

By MiraApr 4, 2026
6 min read
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Money Move

The Chevy Trax Was Americas Most Affordable Car. Tariffs Just Added 2,000 Dollars to the Sticker Price and GM Is Offering Fewer Deals Than Almost Any Other Automaker

GM expects tariffs to cost $3 to $4 billion this year. The company is passing those costs to buyers through higher prices and fewer deals, and the cheapest cars are getting hit the hardest.

By MiraApr 3, 2026
7 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Wichita: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Wichita area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Wichita Kansas

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Wichita area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Madison: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Madison area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Madison Wisconsin

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Madison area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Grand Rapids: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Grand Rapids area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Grand Rapids Michigan

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Grand Rapids area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Knoxville: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Knoxville area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Knoxville Tennessee

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Knoxville area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Honolulu: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Honolulu area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Honolulu Hawaii

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Honolulu area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Anchorage: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Anchorage area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Anchorage Alaska

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Anchorage area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Providence: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Providence area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Providence Rhode Island

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Providence area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Hartford: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Hartford area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Hartford Connecticut

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Hartford area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Huntsville: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Huntsville area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Huntsville Alabama

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Huntsville area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Birmingham: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Birmingham area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Birmingham Alabama

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Birmingham area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Little Rock Metro: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Little Rock Metro area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Little Rock Metro Arkansas

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Little Rock Metro area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Omaha: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Omaha area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Omaha Nebraska

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Omaha area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Des Moines: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Des Moines area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
7 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Des Moines Iowa

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Des Moines area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Boise: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Boise area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Boise Idaho

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Boise area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Salt Lake City Metro: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Salt Lake City Metro area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Salt Lake City Metro Utah

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Salt Lake City Metro area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Albuquerque: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Albuquerque area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Albuquerque New Mexico

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Albuquerque area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
10 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Tulsa: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Tulsa area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Tulsa Oklahoma

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Tulsa area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Oklahoma City: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Oklahoma City area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Oklahoma City area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in Baton Rouge: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Baton Rouge area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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Money Move

Best Credit Unions for Auto Loans in Baton Rouge Louisiana

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at Baton Rouge area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
9 min read
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Money Move

Credit Union vs Bank Auto Loan Rates in New Orleans: Which Saves You More

Compare rates, membership requirements, and savings potential at New Orleans area credit unions.

By MiraApr 2, 2026
8 min read
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