Smart Car Care

If you are in the market for a new vehicle chances are you have been shopping around for the best finance package to fit your car-buying needs. Residents of Canada have several options when it comes to finding the right lender for their car loan and by investing a little bit of time in doing research and comparison shopping they can often cut as much as 1-2 percentage points off their financing.

Auto loans are as a part of the car buying experience as finding the right vehicle itself. In fact, many consumers will often investigate financing options before they begin searching for their new vehicle in earnest. There are a number of factors that influence the rates you will receive when looking for vehicle financing. These include such things as credit rating, length of the loan, down payment and vehicle type. By doing a little legwork up front you can be an informed consumer as you explore your financing options.

First, since auto financing is based on a fixed-interest loan you will be paying the same amount of finance charges no matter if you pay it off early or make regular payments as scheduled. As such it pays to finance the least amount as possible when taking out a loan to buy a new vehicle. Consider making a large down payment, trading in older vehicles or looking at vehicles that aren’t as expensive when car shopping. The money you save in finance charges could very well help you upgrade to a higher model vehicle on your next purchase.

The best source for an auto loan may be your local bank or credit union. Often with established customers they will offer a discount in the interest rate in order to keep your business in-house. Failing that take your search online where hundreds of finance companies will actively compete to get you to sign on the dotted line.

Car Loans After Bankruptcy – 3 Tips On Financing Your Car With Bad Credit

If you have recently filed bankruptcy, you may wonder if its possible to get auto financing again. There are more and more loan companies all the time that have new programs to help finance people with bad credit. An auto loan is easier to get financing for than a personal loan or an unsecured loan because the lender can use the car as collateral against the loan, in case the borrower ever defaults or doesn’t make the loan payments.

Here are some tips to help you when getting financing to purchase or refinance a vehicle after a recent bankruptcy.

1. Get Financed To Re-establish Your Credit – Getting a new car loan can help you re-establish your credit when you make your payments on time. Once you have made payments on time for about 6 months or longer, you should be able to refinance your car at a much lower rate. As you make your payments on time, your credit score will increase.

2. Buy The Lowest Priced Car You Can – When financing a car after a recent bankruptcy, you can expect to see interest rates as high as 14-19% or more. It is not wise to buy a car that is more expensive than you need because, initially, you will be paying such a high interest rate on the amount you are borrowing on. If you do want a more expensive car, wait until you have made payments on time for a year or two, after your credit rating has increased. Then, you should be able to get an interest rate of around 9-10% or less.

3. Get Multiple Offers – There are many lenders online that will offer you up to 4 offers from one application. Most of these loan companies will not even pull your credit with the initial application, they will just ask you to describe your credit. This way, your credit score will not drop from being pulled too often.

Don’t settle for the first auto loan quote that crosses your path. There are various methods now-a-days in which individuals can acquire an auto loan. Be sure to compare all the pros and cons of each method to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck. There are four main ways to acquire an auto loan quote: dealer loans, credit unions, home equity, or with online quotes.

Dealership Auto Loan

Dealership loans are fairly common. In the past, a dealership loan was the only way to finance a vehicle. Times have certainly changed! One thing is certain, dealership loans are convenient. While you sit and fill out papers for the vehicle you will purchase, you might as well fill out papers for a loan to finance that car. Yes, dealership loans are quite simple, however, sometimes they are not in your best interest. Convenience doesn’t come free. Many times, these loans have higher interest rates than if you were to find a loan by yourself.

Credit Unions

Credit unions are a great option for auto financing. They can quote much larger loan amounts for a lower interest rate that an auto dealership. Also, the extra time you will spend with a credit union is not overwhelming. Many times credit unions can approve you for a loan in mere minutes. Although one extra phone call needs to be made, there is not much effort on your end.

Home Equity

A home equity loan is another option for car financing. Using a home equity loan allows you to purchase your vehicle while using your home as collateral. On paper, home equity loans may appear to have a higher interest rate than standard car loans. However, the fact that the interest you will pay is tax deductible may present significant advantages.

Online quote

One of the quickest growing industries online is the financing industry. Now, you can simply go to a credit website and compare quotes and loan terms. There are even websites where banks and lenders will compete for your business. This is beneficial to you because it means lower interest rates and shorter auto loan terms.

The moral of the story is: be sure to check all options before signing an auto loan. There are many different methods to get auto financing quotes. Depending on your situation, each auto loan method can present certain advantages and disadvantages.

Before You Get A Used Car Loan – Read This

Let the Internet be your guide when buying a used car. The information you can find online is valuable and just a few clicks away from your fingertips. You can find out what a used car of any make or model might be worth if you were trading it in, selling it yourself, or buying it from another private owner or car lot.

Before you take out a car loan, go online to see what the used car you want to buy is really worth. Besides the fact that you dont want to pay too much for the automobile, you also dont want to take out a bigger car loan than is necessary.

“Trade-in value” is explained as, “What consumers can expect to receive from a dealer for a trade-in vehicle,” and “private party value” is explained as, “what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a private party.” But when it comes to “suggested retail value” KBB switches gears and defines it as, “representative of dealers’ asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer.” – advertisement -

Now, be careful. You have to check more than one source, because the web has many websites that have their own opinion about used cars and about car loans. Depending on the website, the values for some cars can vary by more than a thousand dollars for what seems like the same type of car in the same condition.

Most free websites that say they can help you find out the worth of a used car or that claim to help you get an auto loan, usually have a close relationship with auto dealers and car loan companies that support their website through advertising or other means. That relationship with their supporters can make the information less reliable.

Two popular websites for information about used car values are Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. They are the most reliable sources Ive found for information about the value of a used car. For information about car loans, go to allaboutcarloans.com after you know how much you will need to borrow for that dream car you just researched.

First, lets determine what the car you want to buy is worth. There are a lot of things that go into a used car’s value, including regional differences, supply and demand and what’s happening in the new car market. Run through the calculator on Edmunds, and see what the result is for the car you want to buy. Then check the same car at Kelley Blue Book. Youll likely see two different values for the automobile you checked.

Why? Each of the two websites have a different means of calculating the value of automobiles. The prices that are calculated at the websites also use different sources for information about used cars. It seems that Edmunds.com uses a little forecasting to determine actual value of a used car, while kbb.com or Kelley Blue Book gives you a suggested retail price as a guide for car dealers.

Newer cars are easier for these websites to compare and youll find less differences in the price comparisons. The older the car is, the more likely they will be different estimates. None of these estimates should be taken as 100% accurate, but using both of these sources will help you define a range.

So what do I do? First remember, no two used cars are alike and no two auto loans are alike.
Also, it should be noted that using the higher estimated value when applying for your auto loan and using the lower estimated value to negotiate the purchase of your vehicle can be a plus. When you go to allaboutcarloans.com make sure you look for topics that will help you in determining the best places to apply for your auto loan and use the higher estimated value when applying.

Before You Get A Used Car Loan Read This

Let the Internet be your guide when buying a used car. The information you can find online is valuable and just a few clicks away from your fingertips. You can find out what a used car of any make or model might be worth if you were trading it in, selling it yourself, or buying it from another private owner or car lot.

Before you take out a car loan, go online to see what the used car you want to buy is really worth. Besides the fact that you dont want to pay too much for the automobile, you also dont want to take out a bigger car loan than is necessary.

“Trade-in value” is explained as, “What consumers can expect to receive from a dealer for a trade-in vehicle,” and “private party value” is explained as, “what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a private party.” But when it comes to “suggested retail value” KBB switches gears and defines it as, “representative of dealers’ asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer.” – advertisement -

Now, be careful. You have to check more than one source, because the web has many websites that have their own opinion about used cars and about car loans. Depending on the website, the values for some cars can vary by more than a thousand dollars for what seems like the same type of car in the same condition.

Most free websites that say they can help you find out the worth of a used car or that claim to help you get an auto loan, usually have a close relationship with auto dealers and car loan companies that support their website through advertising or other means. That relationship with their supporters can make the information less reliable.

Two popular websites for information about used car values are Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. They are the most reliable sources Ive found for information about the value of a used car. For information about car loans, go to http://allaboutcarloans.com after you know how much you will need to borrow for that dream car you just researched.

First, lets determine what the car you want to buy is worth. There are a lot of things that go into a used car’s value, including regional differences, supply and demand and what’s happening in the new car market. Run through the calculator on Edmunds, and see what the result is for the car you want to buy. Then check the same car at Kelley Blue Book. Youll likely see two different values for the automobile you checked.

Why? Each of the two websites have a different means of calculating the value of automobiles. The prices that are calculated at the websites also use different sources for information about used cars. It seems that Edmunds.com uses a little forecasting to determine actual value of a used car, while kbb.com or Kelley Blue Book gives you a suggested retail price as a guide for car dealers.

Newer cars are easier for these websites to compare and youll find less differences in the price comparisons. The older the car is, the more likely they will be different estimates. None of these estimates should be taken as 100% accurate, but using both of these sources will help you define a range.

So what do I do? First remember, no two used cars are alike and no two auto loans are alike.
Also, it should be noted that using the higher estimated value when applying for your auto loan and using the lower estimated value to negotiate the purchase of your vehicle can be a plus. When you go to http://allaboutcarloans.com make sure you look for topics that will help you in determining the best places to apply for your auto loan and use the higher estimated value when applying.

Bad Credit Car Finance – How To Get Pre-Approved For An Auto Loan With Poor Credit

Getting pre-approved for bad credit car financing will help you get the best rates possible. Pre-approved auto loans also give you an edge during car shopping, providing you with the most options. Your car shopping experience can be focused on getting the best price on a car, rather than worrying about financing.

Why Pre-Approved Loans Are Better

Some dealerships would have you think that getting financing with bad credit is nearly impossible. Not so. By researching lenders and their financing packages, you can find near market rates.

By getting pre-approved, you also remove a barrier when negotiating the price of your car. With a blank check in your hand, you can buy from any dealership or person. Sellers are much more willing to go down in price in order to seal the deal.

Start By Finding A Good Sub Prime Lender

Most financing companies deal with prime and sub prime car loans. So start your financing search by asking for loan quotes from several different lenders. If you have no idea who to look at, start with recommended sites.

When you ask for quotes, consider all possible terms. For example, selecting an adjustable rate loan will give you a lower initial payment than a fixed rate loan. Buying from a dealership will also get you better rates.

Look at fees and closing costs, not just fees, when comparing car loans. The APR number will give you the overall cost of the loan, a helpful number to use. If you are planning to refinance, lean toward a low application fee loan with slightly higher rates. This can save you money in the long run.

Online Application Speeds Car Loan Process

Car financing companies have developed online loan applications to save time and money. By having you enter your basic personal and financial information, lenders can limit the number of personnel needed to process your loan.

As a result, you can receive a blank check for you car purchase in five to seven days. You will also receive your loan contract at the same time. When you are ready to purchase your car, you simply sign both the check and loan contract.

It’s sort of like watching those First Aid Course movies. There are 3 little kids playing happily in the sun. The camera pans out and we see some power lines dangling near the ground nearby. You KNOW what’s going to happen and you are forced to sit there and endure. Unfortunately, the same scenario holds true if you have bad credit and are shopping for a car.

John and Mary Smith are working extra hard to rebuild their credit after John’s accident cost them thousands that they didn’t have. They’ve cut back everywhere they could; they narrowly escaped bankruptcy several months back.

They know that an auto loan is the first big step in re-establishing their bad credit. They have saved up some money for a down payment and are heading out the door to the nearest car dealership. It’s a sunny day. They are smiling as they pull onto the car lot.

Young Joe is standing nearby as they step out of their car, (cue the Jaws music), he saunters up casually and greets them with a smile. His shiny teeth nearly blind them. His handshake is firm and his goal is clear: let’s find you folks a new car.

John and Mary innocently warm up to their nice, personable new friend. He seems genuinely concerned about their past situation, and seems to be working extra hard to help them find the perfect car. He brings up good benefits to the used cars he’s showing them; he’s given them every reason in the world to believe that this vehicle is the perfect one for them and their situation.

As they make themselves comfortable at the desk and watch him get their registration out of their trade in, they glance over to see the other salespeople looking over at them and nudging each other. John and Mary glance uneasily at each other. Their smiles start to fade.

Joe comes out from a door across the room, followed by another gentleman who is looking directly at them as he walks towards them. He introduces himself as Joe’s manager and will be sitting down to chat with them soon. His handshake is firm too.

Joe seems like a different guy as his manager slips out of sight behind another door. “Now, the price of your new car is listed at $15,995. The banks like to see about a third down, which would be about $6000. Is that what you were thinking? Or were you going to put down more to make your payments even lower?”

Uh, Joe, we told you out there on the lot we only had $1000 to put down.

“Oh, sure you did, didn’t you? Well, I’ve found that most people tell me less out there on the lot because they haven’t gotten to know me yet. So, do you think you would be able to come up with the whole $6000?”

John and Mary suddenly get an uneasy lump in their stomachs. John’s back starts to throb. Mary’s hands feel clammy.

Soon Mr. Manager comes back out and explains that the last car they took in just like their trade in was only worth about $1500. He can see on their offer they were hoping to get about $5000 out of it. Well, he can call around to different wholesalers to see if they will give him a buy-bid of maybe $1800. Or, they could even just keep it and try to sell it on their own for $2000. But, of course, not having that trade equity will raise their payments.

The next 2 hours seem like a crazy circus trip through a hall of mirrors. Bewildered and exhausted, John and Mary finally emerge with an envelope of paperwork clutched in one hand, shiny new keys to a 1 year old used car in the other.

They give Joe a pained, dazed smile and weak handshake as they collapse into their new car, empty stomachs rumbling.

What John and Mary didn’t see in their rear-view mirror as they slowly drove off the lot, was Joe and his manager smiling and shaking hands at yet another “pounder” for the month. At this rate, they’ll hit their 3rd level bonuses with ease.

John and Mary are the bread and butter buyers of most auto dealerships across the US. They need the clout that dealerships have with the lenders to get approved for a car loan and begin rebuilding their credit. But the dealerships prey on this weakness, and extort thousands and thousands of dollars from already “wounded” consumers. John and Mary are already “buried” in their car, owing thousands more than it’s worthand they haven’t even finished their hamburgers yet.

It’s important to become as educated as you can about your situation and all of the options and strategies that are available to youregardless of your credit. Don’t think this little game is ONLY played on the folks with bad credit. If you look like you can be their next victim, you can rest assured you will be. Diligence and knowledge are going to keep you free from the lions, and keep you on track to buying cars without getting eaten alive.

Amy Latah is a pro-consumer public speaker and strong supporter of www.InsideTheLionsDen.com, a site designed to promote the truth about how consumers have been played the fools for far too long.

Auto Refinance Secrets: Refinance Your Car Loan And Save Every Month

Refinancing your auto loan can be a easy and effective way to lower your monthly payments and save you a good deal of money in the long term. Huge numbers of people are taking advantage of refinancing in the face of much lower interest rates. If you think you are paying way too much money on your loan each month (and who doesnt?) then based on the amount of time left on your lease, and the rate of the interest you signed at, refinancing may be the way to go.

Its always frustrating when you sign on to a loan at a fixed interest rate and then see the interest rates steadily drop around you, while youre still stuck with the forking out the same high percentage payment every month. When you refinance your auto loan, you do so to save money by paying a reduced rate of interest, which, if you still have a few years or so to pay off the loan, can end up saving you a bundle of money. Basically, the new lender takes care of the difference of paying off the original interest rate, while you continue paying the car off to them at a reduced rate. The title to your car is then transferred to them, and the time it takes you to pay off the ever-increasing cost of owning an automobile these days is drastically reduced.

It is important for you to be well aware of the term of your current auto loan contract so as to maximize the amount of money you can end up saving. It may be the case that you dont mind making your payments at the interest rate you are currently fixed at, and yet still want to be shelling out less per payment than you are right now. If this is true for you, then your best plan of action is not to refinance your loan, but to extend the term of your payment agreement, so that you can minimize monthly payments. Of course, this means that, over an extended period of time, you will still end up spending a large amount of your hard earned money on the interest rate of the contract.

With interest rates currently at noticeable lows, auto refinancing is becoming more and more the wise decision. As it stands right now, if you have a significant amount of time remaining on your loan contract, and you signed on to that contract when interest rates were unfortunately high, then it is definitely worth your time to research and compare the rates at a lending companies, so as to take advantage of getting in an auto loan contract, while the interest rates continue to be low. Of course, you can research most of this auto loans onlin information, with not a huge degree of effort, and you may just find that is an effort that will pay out nice dividends in the future.

If making preliminary calculations sounds like a hellishly tedious mathematical trial, then your best to cut straight to the middleman and talk to a broker who can work to find you the best loan possible. But any way you go about doing it, refinancing your auto loan can be a wise decision, and worth looking into.

3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Car Loan

If you’re like the average American, chances are you buy a new car every five years or so. Most people need an auto loan when they buy a new vehicle, whether it’s a car, truck, SUV or van and since the interest on auto loans can add up over time–especially on a five or seven year loan!–it’s important to try and get the lowest rate possible on your car loan. So find a low rate car loan by

Getting your loan before you shop!

If you wait until you get to the car lot to think about financing, the dealer will try and push “dealer financing” on you. That’s because his financing usually comes with extra “padding” to make you pay more–and to boost his bottom line. The interest rate on dealer financing is often 3% higher than financing from a bank, credit union and or online loan company. So get a loan before you shop for a car. Another bonus: you’ll have more negotiating power for the price of the car since the dealer knows you’re a financially stable customer.

Knowing the current rates!

You’ll never know if you’re getting a good deal unless you know the going rates for car loans! Search the web, call around to local banks and ask friends or family what the current interest rates are for car loans. Be sure to compare apples to apples by considering things like loan term, since longer term loans often have lower rates. Your credit history will have an effect on your rate, too.

Comparison shopping!

Get quotes from as many lenders as possible. Check with your current bank, credit unions, online lending services and other loan companies. Get at least 3 or 4 different loan quotes so you can compare rates, terms and fees. Let them know you’re shopping around and that you’ve received better offers. It’s possible they’ll lower your rate or drop your fees to get your business.

You may also want to consider an online lending service that allows you to compare rates between multiple banks and loan companies at one time, since they’re a convenient way to shop around without getting multiple hits on your credit report.