back to articles | January 11, 2022 | Lauren Cordell

Categories: Tips & Insights For Car Buying Auto Loans & Financing Vehicle & Buying Research

Lowering The Cost Of Your Next Auto Loan

It's vital to know that purchasing a car is expensive and may take a lengthy process. If you plan to find a way to lower the cost, it's possible by following several tips.

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It's vital to know that purchasing a car is expensive and may take a lengthy process. If you plan to find a way to lower the cost, it's possible by following several tips.

However, it is best to keep in mind that there may be some limitations.

Tips You Should Consider

The following are some tips you can use to lower the cost of your next auto loan:

Check Your Credit Score

Lenders will most likely assess your credit score. The interest of your auto loan will greatly depend on this factor. That's why it's vital to check your credit score to have an idea about where you currently stand- whether it may be excellent, good, fair, or bad.

A borrower with an excellent credit score will more likely qualify for an auto loan with a lower interest rate. This is also true when it comes to other types of installment loans. To know what lenders look for in a credit score, it will help if you familiarize yourself with the different credit score ranges.

An exceptional credit score can give you more negotiating powers because lenders usually offer you auto loans at the lowest rates. You might still have some great options if you have a good credit score. However, your auto loan options might become limited if you have a bad credit score.

Know What You Can Afford

It's essential to find the best auto loans deal available in the market. However, it's also critical to ensure that your new car payment is okay with your budget.

To get a glimpse of which car you can afford to buy, consider all the costs that come with owning a car, which includes:

Loan Payments

Loan payments include the principal amount of the loan and the interest charges. The loan amount comprises the car’s sales price, fees, taxes, and add-ons like service contracts. Also, it's best to keep in mind that what you pay monthly depends on your loan amount, interest rate, and loan term.

Car Insurance

There are several factors involved in deciding your insurance premiums. These include the model, make, age, and current condition of your vehicle. You can ask for a quote from your insurer to know what you can expect. In most states, your credit score tends to be a great factor in determining what you'll pay for insurance.

Maintenance and Repairs

Maintenance and repairs always come with owning a car. The older the car is, the more likely you'll have this expense. Buying an old car might be cheaper, but you'll have to plan and budget when things go wrong.

Fuel

Fuel is needed every time you drive your car somewhere. You can run some numbers to know how much you'll pay in gas depending on how much time you spend on driving and the fuel economy of your car.

Shop Around

It'll help if you shop around and compare auto loans. Assessing auto loan offers from different lenders such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders allow you to compare the key auto loan factors that can make an impact on your total monthly car payment. These include the annual percentage rate, loan length, and loan amount.

If you think the auto loan offers don't fit your current financial situation, it may be best to think about it and consider working on boosting your credit status. Doing so can help you land auto loans with lower interest rates, leading to lower monthly car payments.

myAutoloan

As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of lenders out there that can provide you with an auto loan. However, if you want to take out an auto loan that is quick and easy, it is recommended to choose a reputable online lender with proven track records. You can do so by logging in to myAutoloan.com, an online financing marketplace. They offer fast, easy, and secure auto financing applications with a wide range of products and services based upon the borrower’s needs.

The site finds the appropriate lender according to the borrower’s profile, which is obtained through careful evaluation and proprietary analysis.

Choose A Longer Loan Term

Opting for a longer loan term that runs from 72 to 84 months could help reduce your monthly car payment. However, it's vital to know that this may also mean you'll end up paying more in interest. Hence, it's best to weigh the advantages and risks when it comes to choosing a loan term.

Make A Down Payment

If you have some extra cash saved up for your car purchase, it's recommended to give it to the lender as a down payment. A down payment is a great way to reduce your auto loan costs. The more you pay as a down payment, the less money you'll need to borrow.

Suppose you plan to get a car worth $25,000, and you have cash saved up that's worth $5,000. You'll put the $5,000 as a down payment and only borrow and pay interest on the $20,000.

To Sum It Up

Most people tend to go for auto loans to get the car of their dreams, especially since buying a car upfront can be very expensive. However, some people still find it hard to afford, even with car loans. That's why lowering the cost of auto loans before deciding to get one can be a pretty great advantage.