Dealership financing is convenient, but you will generally be better off with a loan from a bank, credit union or online lender. Not only will it let you negotiate the car price better, but you will also be able to find a solid deal on interest — something dealerships rarely have.
Why does a dealership want me to finance through them?
“Car dealerships want you to finance through them for two main reasons: They can make money off the interest of a car loan you get through them. They may get a bit of a kickback if they’re the middleman between you and another lender (commission).
What are the disadvantages of a car dealership?
– Sometimes, used car dealerships charge higher prices than private parties do (and leave less room for negotiation). – Buying from a private seller isn’t free of risks. Private sellers aren’t bound by the same strict state and federal laws as are dealerships.
Is 72 month car loan bad?
Is a 72-month car loan worth it? Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn’t an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go.
Is it better to finance a car through a dealership? – Related Questions
What is considered a high car payment?
According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn’t your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.
Is 5 years car loan too long?
For a long time, three- or five-year car loans were the norm. But more and more people are choosing longer-term auto loans. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the average loan term for new-car loans was nearly 70 months, according to the Q4 2021 Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report.
What is a good interest rate on a 72-month car loan?
The average 72-month auto loan rate is almost 0.3% higher than the typical 36-month loan’s interest rate for new cars.
Loans under 60 months have lower interest rates for new cars.
| Loan term |
Average interest rate |
| 60-month used car loan |
4.17% APR |
| 72-month used car loan |
4.07% APR |
What are the pros and cons of a 72-month auto loan?
Here are the financial pros and cons of taking on a 72-month car loan or an 84-month car note.
- Pro: Getting lower monthly payments.
- Pro: Achieving greater financial flexibility.
- Con: Paying additional interest.
- Con: Having negative equity or being “upside down” in the car loan.
- Con: Buying more car than you can afford.
Can you pay off a 72-month car loan early?
Can you pay off a 72-month car loan early? Yes, you can pay off a 72- or 84-month auto loan early. Since these are long repayment terms, you could save considerable money by covering the interest related to a shorter period of time.
Is a 7 year car loan a bad idea?
A longer loan term means you are more likely to be upside down on the loan at some point in the future. Being upside on an auto loan means you owe more than the car is worth. This is because a larger portion of the monthly payments early in the loan will go toward paying interest rather than the principal owed.
How long does it take to pay off a $30000 car?
With a loan amount of $30,000, an interest rate of 8%, and a loan repayment period of 60-months, your monthly payment is around $700. Before you purchase your new vehicle, remember to budget for car maintenance, gas, and car insurance.
How much should I put down on a 25000 car?
The Vehicle’s Price Determines How Much Cash You Should Put Down
| Vehicle Price |
15% Down |
25% Down |
| $25,000 |
$3,750 |
$6,250 |
| $30,000 |
$4,500 |
$7,500 |
| $35,000 |
$5,250 |
$8,750 |
| $40,000 |
$6,000 |
$10,000 |
What APR is too high for a car?
A high APR (“annual percentage rate”) car loan is one that charges higher-than-average interest rates. The legal limit for car loans is around 16% APR, but you will find lenders that get away with charging rates of 25% or more.
Can I ask my car lender to lower my rate?
Yes, just like the price of the vehicle, the interest rate is negotiable. The first rate for the loan the dealer offers you may not be the lowest rate you qualify for. With dealer-arranged financing, the dealer collects information from you and forwards that information to one or more prospective auto lenders.
What is a good interest rate for a car 2022?
The average interest rate for auto loans on new cars in 2022 is 4.07%. The average interest rate on loans for used cars is 8.62%. If you have a high credit score, you can expect your interest rate to be slightly lower than these figures.
Is it smart to finance a car?
Is it a good idea to finance a car? Whether it’s a good idea to finance a car depends on your own financial situation. If you pay cash, you could avoid paying interest and any loan fees. But if paying in cash means you’d completely drain your savings, you could find yourself stuck if a financial emergency arises.
Is it better to finance through dealer or bank?
The primary benefit of going directly to your bank or credit union is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. Dealers tend to have higher interest rates, so financing through a bank or credit union can offer much more competitive rates.
Does financing a car hurt your credit?
First, it will increase your total debt load and change your credit utilization ratio, which may cause a slight drop in your score. If you’ve just established the loan, there’s no payment history yet, but any slight decline in credit score should be remedied quickly if you make your first few payments on time.
What should you not do when financing a car?
Car Shopping? Don’t Fall for These Hidden Financing Traps
- Letting the dealer mark up your interest rate.
- Negotiating your monthly payments.
- Buying overpriced extras.
- Extending the loan.
- Paying bogus fees.
How many years should you finance a car?
This is why Edmunds recommends a 60-month auto loan if you can manage it. A longer loan may have a more palatable monthly payment, but it comes with a number of drawbacks, as we’ll discuss later. The trend is actually worse for used car loans, where just over 80% of used car loan terms were over 60 months.