To get a car loan for a Saturn, you will have to go through a bank, a credit union, or an online auto lender. Because the Saturn brand was dissolved in 2010, Saturn dealerships do not exist and you can only buy old Saturn models. This means you won’t have the option to finance through a dealership. Fortunately, even without dealership financing, you have plenty of car loan options at your fingertips. To help you sift through those options, the car insurance super app
Jerry has compiled everything you need to know about how to get a Saturn
car loan.
How to get a Saturn car loan
Before you take out a loan on your new-to-you Saturn, you’ll have to check your credit score, apply for preapproval, and compare offerings from at least a few lenders. Whether you’re aiming to buy a
Saturn Astra XE or a
Saturn Vue Hybrid, this loan-shopping process looks the same.
Check your credit
Your credit score plays a big role in determining your loan terms, so checking your credit is the first step to financing your car. Generally speaking, a score higher than 660 is considered good credit for a car loan.
If your credit score falls below 660, you may still qualify for a reasonable car loan. Your chances of finding good loan terms might improve with a personal reference, evidence of income, or a co-applicant.
The table below outlines average APR and monthly payments for different Saturn cars based on the buyer’s credit score.
Car Make | Average Annual Interest Rate | Average Monthly Payment |
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Compare lenders
Next up, start shopping for lenders. With a used Saturn on your radar, your best options are a bank, a credit union, or an online auto lender.
With dozens of options to choose from, it’s important to pick a lender that offers the right terms for you and your budget. Make sure to compare at least three lenders. The best loans usually have the following features:
- A short loan term: Aim for 60 months or less.
- A low interest rate: Seek an APR of 4.93% or lower.
- Affordable monthly payments: You shouldn’t pay more than 10-15% of your monthly income.
Some loans come with hidden terms that you don’t want. Most loans require you to pay sales tax, a documentation fee, and registration costs, but any additional fees may be a bad sign.
Gap insurance and early payoff penalties might be red flags as well. You can usually find cheaper gap insurance elsewhere. Likewise, if a lender has bad customer service, try to find a different company.
Get preapproved
If you get preapproved for a car loan, you might be able to negotiate better loan terms before actually signing the agreement. Most online auto lenders allow you to apply for preapproval online.
To get preapproved, you must first apply for the loan. This typically requires you to provide the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Your photo ID (e.g., a valid driver’s license)
- Proof of employment and income documents (e.g., paystubs)
Consider applying for preapproval from more than one lender. For example, you may apply for preapproval through an online auto lender and through your bank or credit union.
Keep in mind that preapproval involves a hard credit inquiry. This may lower your credit score by a few points—but only temporarily. If you apply for preapproval from multiple lenders within a 14-day period, most credit scoring models treat this as a single hard inquiry and it won’t have an additional impact on your credit score.
Key Takeaway Check your credit score and apply to get preapproved for a Saturn car loan. You can then compare loan terms and pick the best one for your budget.
Average loan term for a Saturn car loan
The average used car loan in the U.S. is 65 months or around 5.5 years. Average APRs for used car loans range from 3.68-19.85%, depending on the buyer’s credit score. Make sure to shop around for the best terms possible.
If possible, aim for a car loan that is 60 months or shorter. Loans with shorter terms typically accrue less interest and take less time to pay off. That said, your monthly payments will be higher for a shorter loan term.
The table below shows what your monthly payment and interest rate could be, depending on your loan terms:
Loan Terms | Average Annual Interest Rate | Average Monthly Payment |
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Finding a Saturn car loan in your state
Car loans look a bit different from state to state. It’s important to find a lender that understands the terms in your state and can offer you the best rates based on your credit score.
The table below looks at Saturn car loans by state.
Credit Rating | Average Annual Interest Rate | Average Monthly Payment |
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Saturn car loans: new vs. used
The Saturn brand has been defunct since 2010, with its last models coming out that same year. Saturn produced its
Vue,
Sky,
Outlook, and
Aura models until 2010.
Since the newest Saturns on the road are over a decade old, you’ll have to deal with loan terms for a used car. Used car loans typically come with higher APRs but the overall loan amounts are usually smaller than new car loans. This makes the higher interest rates more manageable overall.
If you’re interested in how your car’s age will affect your loan, this table outlines your potential monthly payment and APR based on your Saturn’s model year.
Car Year | Average Annual Interest Rate | Average Monthly Payment |
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How to calculate the costs for a Saturn car loan
Your monthly payment and APR will always depend on your location, credit score, and loan length—no matter what kind of Saturn you’re buying. Jerry’s car loan calculator can help you figure out what you’ll pay for a Saturn car loan.
Average Annual Interest Rate | Average Monthly Payment |
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Save money on Saturn insurance with Jerry
Once you’ve squared away your car loan, it’s time to look for insurance. But you’re not in this alone—Jerry is here to help with all things car insurance. Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across dozens of providers, Jerry handles the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick—so you don’t have to. The app even helps you cancel your old policy.
And get this: the average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.
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