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.
Is it smart to do a 72-month car loan?
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 7 years too long to finance a car?
An 84-month auto loan can mean lower monthly payments than you’d get with a shorter-term loan. But having as long as seven years to pay off your car isn’t necessarily a good idea. You can find a number of lenders that offer auto loans over an 84-month period — and some for even longer.
Why you should not finance a car for 72 months?
The Longer the Loan, the Higher the Interest Rate
History shows them that the longer the loan, the less likely the borrower will make all of the payments and ultimately pay off the car. Lenders price that added risk into the loan by increasing its interest rate.
What is a good length to finance a car? – Related Questions
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 is a monthly payment on a $40 000 car?
Your monthly payments would look like this for a $40,000 loan: 36 months: $1,146. 48 months: $885. 60 months: $737.
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.
What is a good interest rate for 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 |
How common is a 72-month car loan?
Experian reveals that 42.1% of used-car shoppers are taking 61- to 72-month loans, while 23% go even longer, financing between 73 and 84 months. If you bought a 3-year-old car and took out an 84-month loan, it would be 10 years old when the loan was finally paid off.
What does 0 financing for 72 months mean?
A 0% car loan is car financing where you pay no interest. You borrow money from a bank but pay nothing extra for the privilege of doing so. Essentially, paying zero interest gives you the chance to pay the same amount of money as a cash buyer, even though you’re spreading your payments over a longer term.
Is there a downside to 0 financing?
Zero percent financing might sound like a great deal up front. But the truth is, it’s still debt! You’re still making payments on something (even if you don’t have to pay interest at first).
Is 2.9 interest rate good for car?
If you’re buying a new car at an interest rate of 2.9% APR, you may be getting a bad deal. However, whether or not this is the best rate possible will depend on factors like market conditions, your credit background, and what type of manufacturer car incentives there are at a given point in time on the car you want.
What credit score do you need for 0% interest on a car?
Zero percent financing deals are generally reserved for borrowers with excellent credit — typically classified as a credit score of 800 and above. You’ll want to review your credit reports on your own before you start shopping for auto financing.
How do you get a 800 credit score?
How to Get an 800 Credit Score
- Pay Your Bills on Time, Every Time. Perhaps the best way to show lenders you’re a responsible borrower is to pay your bills on time.
- Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low.
- Be Mindful of Your Credit History.
- Improve Your Credit Mix.
- Review Your Credit Reports.
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.