07-18-22

Should I Sell My Car? When To Sell and How To Do It

The modern motorist faces all kinds of issues and pressures, some obvious, others not so. The early 2020s have bought numerous challenges that prick every driver’s conscience every time they get behind the wheel.

These issues are:

  • scarcity of fossil fuels including oil - not a 21st-century problem but other issues have brought it into sharper focus
  • environmental issues of oil sources
  • impact of the worldwide microchip shortage and its influence on vehicle prices
  • the 2020 (and ongoing) Covid-19 pandemic

The combined effect of these has had a major impact on the current market, car prices, and gas prices at the pumps. It must appear that these days, owning a car is quite a hassle and many of us would give them up if there were suitable alternatives.

The fact remains that for many car owners, their vehicle is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s also a fact that at some point during the course of owning a car, you need to sell it.

The issues mentioned above will also come into play for car sellers with the added issues of when is the best time to sell and which method of sale is best.

Inevitably, you are going to ask the question “should I keep my car or sell it?“ The answer to this is always going to be down to the individual and it depends on your motivation for keeping your old car.

Let‘s look at the major factors of influence on the decision to sell or keep.

The Current Market

We’ve already mentioned the external factors and market forces that have influenced car prices recently. Car prices have climbed so much that at the end of 2021 the average cost of a new vehicle was more than $46,000. This was an incredibly sharp increase. In 2019, the price jumped by $1800, in 2020, it went up by $3300 and the jump in 2021 was $6220.

The 2021 increase was driven mainly by the pandemic’s impact on the global supply of microchips which inhibited automotive production, causing demand to exceed supply. 

Free Mercedes Benz Parked in a Row Stock Photo

Used cars also saw an increase in price with a 41 percent raise over the last two years. This makes it a seller’s market - an ideal time to sell or trade your car.

The Condition of Your Car

We’re sure you know that cars are one of the consumer items that depreciate very quickly. The industry states that by the end of its first year, a new car will have lost around 40 percent of its retail value. This doesn’t apply to all cars and it varies a lot. Those that depreciate the least may only lose 10 percent of their value. Generally, an average car with an annual mileage of 10,000 will lose around 60 percent of its value at the end of year three.

This points to their being specific times during your car’s life cycle that present better opportunities to get the best sale price.

Depreciation is one factor but so are warranties and mileage. If you want to sell with a mileage of under 60,000, the manufacturer’s warranty is still valid and that peace of mind is attractive to potential buyers. If however, your odometer reading is over 100,000 miles, the car-buying public is wary, even if your car is in excellent condition. Likewise, cars with faults that need repairs may also be of concern to prospective buyers.

Forgetting about the resale price for a moment, if you want to sell your current vehicle because it keeps breaking down or has needed a lot of repairs to keep it safely on the road, it might be time to think about getting a new car to remove the hassle factor. A reduced asking price or reduced value of your car may be offset by repairs or the inconvenience of it being in the shop for extended periods.

Your Requirements Have Changed

Having a car is great as long as it meets your needs. Even if it provides reliable transport, you may need to consider selling it for its best price.

Just some changes of circumstances might be:

  • You need to upgrade to a vehicle with an all-wheel-drive because you’ve moved to an area with significantly different winter conditions and your current four-door, front-wheel-drive car will not be able to cope so well.
  • The car is no longer suitable for your family size/age - you might want to upgrade or downgrade according to changes in family circumstances. For example, if you need to become a two-car family where previously one was sufficient.
  • Your current vehicle is a sedan but you need to change it for work purposes. You want to trade in your sedan for a pickup truck with improved utility and payload.
  • You simply want to upgrade. You want your next car to be more fuel-efficient or you want to upgrade make, model and value.Free Person in Grey Shirt Handing Keys Stock Photo

When is The Best Time to Sell Your Car?

According to US News, between March and August is the best time to sell your car. It seems the weather influences our consumer decisions but this should not be the only factor that you consider.

Let’s dig deeper into what circumstances might be the most favorable for you to get as close to market value for your car as you can.

  • Sell before you need to: If you leave it until you absolutely must sell you may have to take less money than you hoped for. If the vehicle has become unreliable, you could spend money on repairs.

 

  • When the time is right for a replacement: Unless you are giving up driving, you need to replace your old car. As well as planning the sale, you need to consider your new vehicle. Planning enables you to research the market not only for models of interest but also for the best way to finance your next car.

 

  • It’s the right time of year: Late spring and summer are generally the best times to sell a car. Major holidays are best avoided. The weather may also influence the types of cars that do better at certain times of the year, Convertibles are attractive during warmer months while SUVs and crossovers are strong contenders with the approach of winter.

 

  • You’re spending too much on repairs: If the cost of maintenance and repairs is significant, it can eat into the budget you have for your new car. Also consider future spending, for example, you need a full set of new tires.

 

  • You have a major service due: In most cases, it is not worth the expense of maintenance or repair costs before selling. Putting off repairs may reduce the value of your car but the loss is usually less than the cost of the repairs/service.

 

  • Before you hit a mileage milestone: There are a few mileage milestones that should trigger a sell decision. They are before the odometer hits 100,000 miles before the factory warranty expires (usually 60,000 miles or three years) and before the powertrain warranty expires.

 

  • If a new model is due: Every previous model year’s value declines with the debut of a new model year so it is best to sell before the new model is released.

 

  • You are at risk of defaulting on your car loan: Defaulting on an auto loan will seriously damage your credit score as well as put you at risk of repossession fees. It will also make getting your next car loan extremely difficult.

 

  • You are not underwater on your car loan: It is not good to sell your car when you owe more on the auto loan than it is worth. It is much better to sell when you have positive equity so you can pay off the loan and maybe still have sufficient funds to make a down payment on your next car.

 

  • You’ve lost some confidence in your vehicle’s safety: If you experience a loss of reliability, a growing tendency to break down or you think your car lacks advanced safety features, sell your car for one that offers better security and more driver-assistance features.

 

  • You might have positive equity: Having positive equity on the car (when the market value of the car exceeds the principal amount on your loan), you can take advantage of that by making extra money on it when you sell the car.

If any of these triggers the decision to sell your old car and buy a new one, you need to know the best way to do so.

How to Sell Your Car

There are various ways to sell your car. Each has its pros and cons so you’ll need to understand a little about each to decide on the solution that will get you the best deal. 

At IMX Auto we recommend our easy and instant 3-step process to selling your car. All you have to do is enter your information, receive a free estimate and complete a stop-by for a vehicle inspection, and cha-ching! Receive your check the same day you sell your car.

Simply visit our website for more information and to start your hassle-free car selling process today!

 

Free Woman in Black Blazer Holding Car Keys Smiling Stock Photo

Instant Cash Offer

If you want the freedom to buy your next vehicle from anywhere you choose, an instant cash offer is a hassle-free way to sell. This transaction is undertaken with a vehicle buying center or a dealer who presents instant cash offers.

Although it can happen in person, many of these deals happen online. You are asked to submit information to a webform and in return will receive a cash offer. The offer will be based on the VIN (vehicle identification number), mileage, age, and features together with your description and the photos you upload.

The dealer will make a preliminary offer usually of baseline market value that will be firmed up when the dealer has the chance to physically inspect the vehicle. The final price may be higher or lower than the initial offer and the deal is done when you transfer ownership paper, sign over the car title and receive payment.

For a fair price and a deal that can be achieved quickly, sell your car to IMX Auto, a specialist vehicle buying center.

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07-07-22

What Are The Top Ten Fuel-Efficient Cars You Can Buy?

The last two years have been a turbulent time for the motor industry and the nation’s drivers and commuters. Firstly, the Covid pandemic kept everyone at home and a lot of people have taken advantage of the general shift to working at home. Then Russia invaded Ukraine throwing the world’s fuel supplies into crisis. Already under pressure from a strong economic recovery following the pandemic, oil prices skyrocketed to over $110 per barrel. The knock-on effect on gas prices only exacerbated what for many Western countries is being seen as a cost of living crisis.

Fuel economy has become a major consideration for people looking for a new car or a replacement for an old vehicle. Fuel-efficient cars are probably seeing a greater focus now than at any time in the past. A fuel-efficient car, especially considering gas mileage, is going to help you control your fuel bills.

Free Cars refueling on gas station Stock Photo

Savings are applicable when you chose a brand new or a used car that is proven to be fuel-efficient. In this review to identify the most fuel-efficient cars, we will ignore plug-in hybrids because it is difficult to compare accurately with conventional vehicles, and also we will not be including SUVs and trucks.

The ranking system we have used is based on the combined EPA-estimated fuel economy for each car. For each car chosen, particularly those where there may be several fuel-efficient variants, we have picked the most fuel-efficient model.

Most fuel-efficient conventional gas-powered cars

Although not the most environmentally friendly option, gas-powered cars are generally cheaper to buy than hybrid cars.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Starting MSRP of $14,295

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 39 MPG
  • Highway - 43 MPG
  • City - 36 MPG

A new Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback with CVT (continuously variable transmission) is currently the non-hybrid vehicle with the best fuel economy on the market as well as being one of the cheapest. Sadly, there is a trade-off for what is, frankly, very impressive gas mileage. The Mirage has a 3-cylinder engine that only produces 78 horsepower so if you’re going to choose this subcompact car for its fuel economy don’t expect a powerful drive and be patient when driving inclines or entering a highway.

Hyundai Elantra

Starting MSRP of $19,650

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 37 MPG
  • Highway - 37 MPG
  • City - 33 MPG

The Elantra is the second smallest sedan in the Hyundai stable (the smallest is the Accent). If you don’t mind the compact size, the Elantra’s fuel economy will definitely save you money at the pumps even if it has an engine that only delivers 147 horsepower that’s not going to have you leave anyone on the line at the stop light.

Free Black Hyundai Car Parked on the Road Between Trees Stock Photo

Kia Rio

Starting MSRP of $16,150

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 36 MPG
  • Highway - 41 MPG
  • City - 33 MPG

This slot could easily have gone to the Hyundai Accent because it has the exact same EPA rating as the Kia Rio but including the Rio presents you with a wider range of options. The Kia Rio model to choose to get the best fuel economy is the four-cylinder engine with CVT that delivers 120 horsepower. A good choice if you’re a commuter with a stretch of highway driving.

Honda Civic

Starting MSRP of $21, 250

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 36 MPG
  • Highway - 42 MPG
  • City - 33 MPG

With its average starting price of over $21k, the all-new for 2022 Honda Civic is one of the most expensive compact cars. The 2022 model is also currently only available as a sedan with no hatchback option. The best option for fuel economy is the EX trim (mid-tier) powered by a turbo engine delivering 180 horsepower.

Free stock photo of asphalt, automotive, blacktop Stock Photo fuel-efficient cars

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Starting MSRP of $20,825

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 35 MPG
  • Highway - 41 MPG
  • City - 32 MPG

The Corolla has never really won fans in the style stakes and has so often been unflatteringly called an appliance rather than an automobile but you can’t deny its standing in the fuel economy stakes. This applies to the automatic hatchback model with CVT. Avoid any Corolla model with six-speed manual transmission because this can negatively affect the combined MPG by more than 10 percent.

Most Efficient Gas-Electric Hybrid Cars

Combining an internal combustion engine with an electrical battery may involve higher upfront costs but there are greater rewards because you save money on gas. In general, as a class of automobiles, hybrid vehicles are much more efficient than conventional cars. Another bonus is that all-electric cars (including hybrids) have much lower emissions than conventional cars.

Hyundai Ioniq

Starting MSRP of $23,600

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 59 MPG
  • Highway - 59 MPG
  • City - 58 MPG

Performing as equally well on fuel economy in both the city and on the highway, the Ioniq is also attractive to the car-buying public because its base price is among the lowest for hybrid cars. If you drive a lot and want to limit the number of stops at gas stations, head to the dealership for a Hyundai Ioniq because it truly is the champion of fuel economy. The car is powered by a four-cylinder/104 horsepower engine and a 43 horsepower electric motor.

Free A Car Driving Uphill Stock Photo fuel-efficient cars

Toyota Prius

Starting MSRP of $24,525

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 56 MPG
  • Highway - 58 MPG
  • City - 53 MPG

The hybrid model that kicked off the hybrid revolution has managed to maintain such a decent fuel economy despite the increasing competition that it deserves its second place in the rankings of the most fuel-efficient cars. The Eco trim delivers the maximum mileage but if you want the all-wheel-drive option, you’ll have to sacrifice just a little of the MPGE.

Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Starting MSRP of $23,750

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 54 MPG
  • Highway - 56 MPG
  • City - 53 MPG

Cementing Hyundai’s place as providing some of the most fuel economical cars on the market regardless of how the vehicle is powered, the Elantra Hybrid is less conventional-looking than the Ioniq. The attractive-looking sedan benefits from a combined 139-horsepower powertrain and favors a smoother dual-clutch automatic transmission over a CVT. For the best mileage, choose the Blue trim.

Honda Insight

Starting MSRP of $25,210

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 52 MPG
  • Highway - 55 MPG
  • City - 49 MPG

Honda aficionados and industry experts will recognize that the company has put an Insight nameplate on a car that is essentially a Civic hybrid. You might say that the Insight is a tenth-generation Honda Civic in disguise. Whatever way you look at the aesthetics, the fuel economy speaks for itself. For the best MPGE, go for the base LX or the mid-tier EX trim.

Free Red and Black Car Door Stock Photo fuel-efficient cars

Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Starting MSRP of $25,210

Fuel Economy

  • Combined - 52 MPG
  • Highway - 52 MPG
  • City - 53 MPG

Yes - the car that many people love to hate appears again in this list, this time in its hybrid form. One of the few cars (and the only one on our list) to perform better in the city than on the highway, you still have to love the bulbous body style of the Corolla to take advantage of its excellent fuel economy. This sedan-only model uses the Prius powertrain.

You may have noticed the dearth of American-made cars on this list that is dominated by Japanese manufacturers. According to all statistics, Honda is the most fuel-efficient manufacturer across all types of cars. If home automakers are important criteria for your vehicle choice, for the most fuel-efficient cars made in the USA, you need to look at the various models of the Chevrolet Bolt and the Ford Escape Hybrid.

If you’re looking for a new car and fuel economy is top of your list of priorities, any of these cars fit the bill. If you’re also looking for a great deal that saves you money overall, these models and more are all available for purchase brand new and for lease from IMX Auto.

If you’re upgrading and have a car to offload before getting a new one, you can talk to IMX Auto. We offer the industry’s best buy-back prices on all makes and models, including those with less desirable fuel efficiency ratings.

Sell Your Leased, Purchase or Financed Vehicle to IMX Auto in Burbank 

Looking to sell your vehicle? We got you covered, contact IMX Auto today! Call us at 818-873-2070 or visit us at 811 N Victory Blvd in Burbank, California. Our helpful team is standing by to help you easily end your current lease and make sure your next vehicle is your best yet.

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06-02-22

Top 10 SUVS With The Most Third-Row Legroom

Among the midsize SUV community, there is a special and unique feature that not many people talk about when browsing for a new vehicle, but that is extremely important both in terms of overall car space and passenger comfort.

We are talking, of course, about the factor of third-row legroom! Once upon a time, this kind of space in an SUV was reserved only for the largest examples of this car genre, but great leaps forward in design and technology now mean that there are plenty of midsize SUVs that are able to offer that extra bit of comfort and carrying capacity for both the driver of the vehicle and the passengers that are coming along for the ride.

It might seem like an easy design challenge to achieve a car interior that can strike a balance between comfortable seating and decent cargo space, but years’ worth of new releases have shown us that clearly isn’t the case.

Many SUVs over the years have been built with a much smaller third-row space than most drivers and customers would ideally like. What this means in practical terms is that more SUV shoppers end up having to compromise cargo space if they want to give their passengers more spacious legroom, or vice versa.

girl siting in backseat of suv

For most SUVs, extra space can measure up to 200 inches of legroom, and this will definitely start to eat into your trunk space behind that final row of seats. However, all is not lost!

There are some three-row SUVs on the market at the moment that have been celebrated for having the perfect combination of both storage space and legroom. If an SUV can achieve this crossover success in a comfortable, reliable, and, importantly, fuel-efficient manner, then you can feel like you have found the holy grail of haulers!

With all of this in mind, we have put together a rankings list of SUVs that have enviable and spacious third-row seats. These are:

  1. Buick Enclave
  2. Kia Telluride
  3. Honda Pilot
  4. Toyota Sequoia
  5. GMC Yukon XL
  6. Volkswagen Atlas
  7. Volvo XC90
  8. Chevrolet Traverse
  9. Ford Expedition
  10. Acura MDX

As we are sure you are aware, all of the SUVs listed above come in a range of models and model years, ranging from full-size SUVs to mid-size to sub-company if you aren’t too concerned with overall cubic feet volume.

Let’s take a close look at each of these luxury SUV choices, with the all-important roomy rear seats being the main focus.

Buick Enclave

If performance and comfort are two things that you look for in a vehicle with off-road potential, then the Buick Enclave Crossover will definitely not disappoint you. The Enclave offers a super spacious interior with third-row seating that offers 33.5 inches of legroom and even more hip and headroom.

With large side door openings, access to this spacious third-row seating is very easy, and the Buick Enclave also adds a number of luxury features such as Apple Carplay, and great safety features to protect the family. The premium Avenir trim level is unrivaled when it comes to back seats.

Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride regularly tops the list of SUVs that are completely family-friendly when it comes to comfort and style. Stunning to look at both on the inside and the outside, the car has powerful horsepower, great towing capacity, and a great cargo capacity, not a trio that you will find in many compact SUVs.

With a decent starting price and good fuel economy, this really does rank among the best 3-row SUVs, and smart features like touchscreen controls certainly don’t hurt its appeal to the modern driver.

As well as excellent third-row legroom, this vehicle offers 31.4 inches of headroom and a huge 43.7 inches of hip room.

kia suv driving through dirt

Honda Pilot

This three-row crossover SUV first hit the roads in 2003, with people particularly loving its premium interior features and top-of-the-line efficiency.

Though it isn’t a minivan, the Honda Pilot's third-row boasts 31.9 inches of legroom. Not bad for a vehicle with a turbo engine! This is a hauler that is family-friendly whilst also providing a platinum-level driving experience.

Toyota Sequoia

The Sequoia is one of the largest Toyota SUVs from the Japanese manufacturer, which perfectly explains why it offers so much third-row leg room. Unbelievably, the Sequoia beats peers like the Toyota Highlander, Subaru Ascent, Chevrolet Tahoe and Mercedes Benz, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-9 in legroom capacity.

The numbers are huge all-round, with shoulder space of 66.4 inches and third-row hip room of 50.4 inches. Let’s not forget to mention the 381 horsepower and modern infotainment system. The former will keep the driver happy and the latter will keep the kids in the back even happier!

GMC Yukon XL

For an SUV choice that is both stunning to look at and offers top-of-the-range performance, you can’t do much better than the GMC Yukon XL. In particular, the 2019 models have been celebrated as real works of art both on the inside and outside. There is something very enticing about a car design that remains classy yet still has a body that is ideal for off-road activity.

Whether you want a good SUV for long-distance travel or for a local city work commute, the Yukon XL is ideal for both types of journeys. It has an expanded chassis that enables passengers with long legs to sit comfortably for many miles. In terms of the stats, the XL has 36.7 inches of third-row legroom and a whopping 41.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity right behind it.

Volkswagen Atlas

The VW Atlas was originally released in 2018, but the 2019 model is the SUV crossover that boasts the kind of third-row legroom that we are interested in. The vehicle is based on the signature VW unibody design that you will recognize on the Passat Sedan.

The Atlas adds 37.6 inches of legroom in its third row, and it even has a 60/40 split-folding bench on its second row which is something that not all of the SUVs on this list can claim. Even in this spilt folding configuration, access to the third row is incredibly simple thanks to sliding between the seats. Even a tall passenger will be able to comfortably sit in a third-row seat in a VW Atlas.

You can choose between two different engines on this model, a 2.0 turbocharged 4 cylinder, or a 3.6 l VR6 gas direct injection non-turbo engine. The standard front-wheel-drive offers some of the smoothest handlings of any of the suggestions on this list.

Volvo XC90

When it comes to style and luxury mixed with high engine performance, Volvo is a company that never lets drivers down. The Volvo XC90 in particular is a vehicle that delivers extreme comfort, extreme ease of handling, and extreme cargo space!

Packed with luxury design and high-tech features, the space-conscious model has 31.9 inches of third-row legroom and 46.9 inches of shoulder room. This provides an all-around super-comfortable experience for anybody traveling for extended periods of time in that part of the vehicle.

Volvo XC90 suvs with legroom driving in snow

Chevrolet Traverse

One of the largest SUVs currently on the market, the Chevrolet Traverse measures more than 17 feet in total length! There is a thin line between an SUV and a minivan, and you could argue that the Traverse sits right on that line!

Every passenger gets treated to great legroom in this Chevy, with the third-row legroom measuring 33.5 inches. The cargo capacity is also something to shout about, with a total volume of 23 cubic feet behind the third row.

If you are looking for a car that definitely does not compromise performance for comfort but can rather achieve both effortless, then the Traverse might just be the one for you. With ample clearance from the road surface and a high-tech suspension system, the Traverse is about as comfortable as its gets in the world of high horsepower SUVs.

Ford Expedition

When it comes to ample legroom, something like the Ford Expedition fits the bill for an SUV that is super stylish and super comfortable at the same time. The 2019 model in particular adds plenty of space in the back, with 36.1 inches of rear legroom and 40.9 inches of hip room.

The Expedition has the second-largest amount of shoulder room on this list, with 64.3 inches. Accompanied by 37.2 inches of headroom, the Ford Expedition offers one of the most luxurious and comfortable rides for both the passengers and the driver.

suvs with legroom

Acura MDX

The final model on this list is the Acura MDX, a great midsize SUV that offers really comfortable legroom race on the third row. Another vehicle that succeeds in combining massive performance with massive comfort and style is a winner in our minds, and the Acura definitely achieves that balance.

With third-row legroom measuring 29 inches, there are some cars on the list that might offer more inches of legroom, but for a midsize SUV, this is still a good amount of space. Add to that that 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and you start to understand the value of a midsize option like this.

Benefits Of Having Extra Third Row Legroom

So, now that you have a long list of superior SUVs to choose from, let’s finish with a quick rundown of some of the best benefits of having all of that extra cargo capacity and legroom. Some points are obvious, others perhaps less so, but they all come together to prove just why you should seek out an SUV with great third-row legroom.

  • A More Comfortable Journey For Passengers

When you are driving, you are almost in a different zone from your passengers. For those traveling in the back seats, the difference between no legroom and plenty of legroom is palpable. You will have a much more comfortable experience all around if you enable your passengers to travel in luxury!

suvs with legroom

  • Better Resale Value

When the time comes for you to sell your current SUV in order to upgrade or maybe even downsize, having so much extra third-row legroom will make a difference in terms of the resale value that your car will have on the second-hand market. It is a definite selling point. Our lives are only going to get busier and fuller as the years go by, and somebody will be looking for a stylish SUV that looks great but still boast a lot of the practical elements that most people want in a vehicle.

hand holding car keys to SUV

Final Thoughts

When you are shopping for diamonds it's all about adhering to the ‘4 Cs’ rule, and you can think about SUV hunting as the ‘4 Cs’ as well, but in a slightly different way! We’re talking about comfort, class, convenience, and cargo space. If you can find an SUV that offers all of those factors in varying degrees, then you can be sure that your vehicle is going to provide you with many years of driving satisfaction.

SUVs are intended to give drivers a family-friendly vehicle that is ready for adventure at any time, and has something that you know is going to keep your passengers comfortable even as far back as the third row, whilst still being able to throw all of your luggage in the ample cargo space is absolutely ideal.

No matter which vehicle on this list you end up choosing, there is no doubt that you will be happy with your purchase!

Sell Your Leased Vehicle to IMX Auto in Burbank 

Looking to sell or trade in your vehicle? Look no further, contact IMX Auto today! Call us at 818-873-2070 or visit us at 811 N Victory Blvd in Burbank, California. Our helpful team is standing by to help you easily end your current lease and make sure your next vehicle is your best yet.

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