"The car business runs on confusion. My whole job is to remove it." — Michael Avalos
From the shop floor to your driveway
Michael spent twelve years as an ASE-certified technician at independent shops in Decatur and Springfield before founding CarrTalks in 2017. After thousands of repairs on cars that should never have been sold, he made a quiet decision: instead of fixing the regret afterward, he'd help people avoid it in the first place.
What "independent" really means
CarrTalks accepts no commissions, finders' fees, or referral kickbacks. Not from dealers. Not from lenders. Not from extended-warranty companies. The single source of revenue is the fee paid directly by the client — and that is the only conflict of interest worth managing.
The Central Illinois we serve
From the auction yards north of Decatur to the family-owned lots around Champaign and Bloomington, we know the local market. We know which dealers respond to a polite walk-away, which warranties are quietly canceled in small print, and which shops to call when a car needs a closer look on the lift.
What we believe
- Plain language wins. If we can't explain it in one sentence, we don't sell it.
- The buyer's wallet is the only client. Period.
- Patience beats pressure. The best deal is rarely the one closing tonight.
- Mechanics talk; we translate. Reports are written so a high-schooler can follow them.
Credentials
- ASE Certified Master Technician (A1–A8)
- Member, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
- Illinois Better Business Bureau, Accredited 2019
- State of Illinois — Independent Automotive Advisor