On September 16, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the federal funds target range by 1/4 percentage point to 3-3/4 to 4 percent (statement also archived as a PDF). Implementation steps are effective September 17, 2026.
That is a policy rate, not your personal auto APR. Still, when the benchmark moves up, consumer loan pricing often firms over the following weeks. If you are trading or selling in Texas, the practical question is simple: do you accept one desk’s allowance, or do you put the car in front of more than one buyer?
Cox Automotive’s Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index update for August 2026 puts wholesale days’ supply at 27 at month-end—down 1.4 days from July, even while up 2.3 days year over year. Retail used days’ supply fell to 44 at the end of August, down two days from July. The mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted Manheim index printed 208.2 in August (+0.4% year over year, −0.9% month over month).
Tightening retail supply does not mint a magic retail trade number for your VIN. It does mean dealers still need retailable cars—and that competing interest can matter more when rates are moving.
How competing offers work on PriceForMyTrade: competition is handled manually, dealers contact you directly, and first responses are typically the same day—not guaranteed. Offers are confirmed after a physical appraisal. Dealers can buy outright; you do not have to purchase another vehicle. Submitting takes about 30 seconds. The service is free to the seller; participating dealerships pay for enquiries.
That is not an instant online valuation. If you still owe money, read selling a car with a loan payoff. If you are weighing trade credit versus cash, see trade-in vs selling outright. East Texas sellers can start at sell my car East Texas.
Takeaway: A Fed hike week is a bad week to treat one trade pencil as destiny. Get competing dealer conversations, then let appraisal confirm the real number.