Expert Advice for Car Financing

All Articles on Car Financing

Tips for First-Time BMW Buyers
BMW doesn’t have a special program for first-time buyers, but you can still find ways to save—if you know where to look.
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Bonnie Stinson
All About the Hyundai First-Time Buyer Program
Whether you have no credit or simply haven’t financed a vehicle before, Hyundai’s first-time buyer program can help you get behind the wheel of your first new or pre-owned vehicle.
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Jacqulyn Graber
All About the Ford First-Time Buyer Program
Ford’s first-time buyers program is a great way for drivers with little to no credit history to purchase a new car—but it’s not available at all dealerships.
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Sarah Gray
All About the Subaru First-Time Buyer Program
Subaru’s first-time buyer program is reserved for soon-to-be or recent college graduates. Click here to learn if you qualify!
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Drew Waterstreet
All About the Audi First-Time Buyer Program
Audi first-time buyer program, available at some dealerships, offers those with no credit history (but good existing credit) the chance to buy an Audi at preferential rates.
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Jason Tushinski
All About the Volkswagen First-Time Buyer Program
Volkswagen’s first-time buyer program, available at some dealerships, rewards recent college graduates with a small discount regardless of credit history.
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Pat Roache
All About the Nissan First-Time Buyer Program
Nissan offers both First Time Buyer and College Grad programs, but the requirements and availability vary by location.
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Amber Reed
All About the Kia First Time Buyer Program
Kia’s First Time Buyer program will allow you to drive a new or certified pre-owned Kia vehicle without prior credit history.
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Brittni Brinn
All About the Chevy First-Time Buyer Program
Chevrolet’s first-time buyer program, available at participating dealerships, can help new buyers save on their first vehicle purchase.
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Melanie Krieps Mergen
All About the Jeep First-Time Buyer Program
Jeep offers financing specials and car loans to first-time buyers with bad or no credit history.
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Melanie Johnson
All About the Toyota First-Time Buyer Program
Toyota’s first-time buyer program helps drivers without a long credit history get financing on a new Toyota vehicle—but you’ll have to meet the requirements first.
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Andrea Barrett
All About the Honda First-Time Buyer Program
Honda’s first-time buyer program, available at some dealerships, rewards recent college graduates with a small discount regardless of credit history.
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R.E. Fulton
Should I Get Gap Insurance From a Dealer or Insurance Company?
It’s almost always better to get gap insurance from an insurance company rather than a car dealer. Click here to learn why!
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Pat Roache
Co-Signer vs. Co-Borrower: What’s Better for Your Auto Loan?
Using a co-signer or a co-borrower can help you qualify for an auto loan that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get. Learn more here.
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Drew Waterstreet
7 Steps to Getting an Infiniti Car Loan
Whether you’re looking to finance a brand new car or you’re hunting for the perfect used model, here’s how to find the best Infiniti car loan.
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Macy Fouse
How to Get a Car with No Credit or Cosigner
If you are trying to get a car with bad credit, no credit, or no cosigner, you’ll need to find a bad credit dealership and lender, figure out your savings for a down payment and consider refinancing.
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Talullah Blanco
What Are Acceptable Forms of Down Payment for a Car?
Most payment methods are acceptable for a car down payment—although cash, checks, and debit cards are most preferred by lenders.
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Jessica Gibson
What Is the Average Interest Rate On a Used Car?
The average interest rate on a used car for 2022 is 8.62%. Click here to learn more!
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Sarah Gray
What Is a Sign and Drive Lease?
A sign and drive lease rolls typical signing costs, like down payments, into higher monthly payments. Here’s how it works.
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Shannon Fitzgerald
Is Refinancing a Car Worth it?
Refinancing your car can be risky, but the rewards are well worth it if your circumstances are right. Click here to learn more.
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Pat Roache
Pros and Cons of Paying Your Car Off Early
If you have the option of paying your car loan off early, it could save you money on interest—but watch out for downsides like prepayment penalties.
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Alison Daurio
Do You Get a Car Title with a Car Loan?
If you’re financing a vehicle, your lender will be listed as a lienholder. Whether the lienholder or borrower holds the title varies between states.
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Cameron Thiessen
How Long Are Car Leases?
Car leases generally last either 24 or 36 months, but it’s possible to find a lease with longer terms.
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Jacqulyn Graber
How to Buy a Car With a Lien
Buying a car with a lien means taking some extra steps to ensure that you’re the legal owner and can register the vehicle under your name.
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Mary Cahill
How a Hyundai Lease Return Works
If your Hyundai lease is coming to an end, you’ll have the option to return your car, lease a new one, or buy out your lease.
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Shannon Fitzgerald
How an Infiniti Lease Return Works
Learn how to return a leased Infiniti in a few simple steps, including scheduling a vehicle inspection and making repairs.
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Macy Fouse
How a Kia Lease Return Works
Kia lease coming to close? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a step-by-step guide to a hassle-free lease return.
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Max Werner
How a Hyundai Lease Buyout Works
Hyundai lease buyouts are fairly simple processes that can be initiated at a Hyundai dealer, through a lease-end advisor, or through Hyundai Motor Finance.
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Max Werner
How a Jeep Lease Buyout Works
A lease buyout may be smart if you’ve fallen in love with your leased Jeep—and its actual value is higher than its residual value.
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Liz Jenson
How a Honda Lease Buyout Works
Honda Financial Services will be able to tell you how much a Honda lease buyout costs when you call them at (800) 708-6555 to initiate the process.
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Christelle Agustin

All Questions on Car Financing

Should I use a car loan to rebuild my credit?
I want to rebuild my credit, but I also need a set of wheels to get around. Is a car loan a good way to rebuild credit?
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Eric Schad
How do you pay off your car loan early?
I took out my car loan years ago, and now I have a much better-paying job. I’ve been thinking about paying off the loan. Can I pay off the rest of my car loan early? If so, how?
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Jack Walsh
Will applying for a car loan at a dealership hurt my credit score?
Is it true that applying for a car loan at a dealership hurts your credit score? I want to finance a car through the dealer, as they're offering a 1.9% APR promotional deal. However, I've heard that applying for financing through a dealership can hurt your credit.
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Eric Schad
How can my daughter take over my car loan?
My daughter has always loved my car, and now that she's moved to the suburbs, she needs a car. She's always loved my car, so I said she could have it if she takes over the loan. Is this possible?
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Eric Schad
Should I pay a loan off in 36 months or 60 months if they have the same interest rate?
If two car loans have the same interest rate, which loan is the better option? I went to a dealer to finance a new car, and they're running a 0.9% APR financing special for either 36 or 60 months.
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Eric Schad
How do I use a pre-approved car loan?
The lender I'm thinking of using for my car loan says I can get pre-approved. However, I don't understand what that is or how it'll benefit me. How do I use a pre-approved car loan?
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Lauren Smith
Does a dealer still need to run my credit if I got preapproval for a loan?
I got preapproval for a car loan from my credit union. When I went to the dealer, they insisted that I undergo a credit check before buying a car. Do I have to submit to this if I already have financing?
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Eric Schad
How do I reduce the amount of interest I pay on a car loan?
I hate paying more money for things than necessary. How can I reduce the amount of interest I pay on a loan for my Ford?
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Eric Schad
How much does it cost to lease a 2016 Honda Civic?
Now that I’ve graduated from college, I’m looking to lease my first car for my morning work commute. I think I’d like something like a Honda Civic, but I don’t know if it’s within my budget. What does it usually cost to lease a 2016 Civic?
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Chloe Jenkins
Should I get a car loan?
I just graduated from college with about $10,000 in student loan debt. All the jobs I’ve applied to will require me to have a car to get to work. I have a few grand saved up to get a car and am thinking about taking out a loan to cover the rest. Is that a bad idea, though? Should I get a car loan or should I pay cash for a used car?
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Eric Schad
How do you negotiate a car loan interest rate?
What are some ways that I can negotiate a car loan interest rate? I’m preparing to buy a new car and I want to make sure that I get the best deal on the loan so I don’t get behind on my payments.
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Liz Jenson
Should I opt for car incentives and rebates or a lower interest rate?
"I'm shopping for a car and in quite a conundrum. My credit union has offered me a rate of 1.7% for 48 months. On the other hand, the dealer has offered $3,500 off the price of the car if I accept a 5.7% loan for 48 months. The amount I need to finance without the $3,500 off is $31,500. Should I go for the incentives or the lower interest rate?"
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Eric Schad
What should I look for in a car loan?
I want to finance a car, but I don't know where to start. What do I need to look for in a car loan?
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Eric Schad
How can I be approved for a car loan?
I need a car to drive my grandma to her doctor's appointments and work. I want to make sure I won't get denied when I apply. What’s the easiest way to get approved for a car loan?
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Lauren Smith
Do I have to pay off my loan before I get a new car?
I want to get a new car, but I still have a loan on my current car. Do I need to pay this loan off first before I get a new car loan?
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Eric Schad
Do you have to make a certain down payment to finance a Porsche?
Does Porsche (or other lenders) require a certain down payment to finance the vehicle? I want to buy a Porsche, but I also want the lowest monthly payments possible.
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Eric Schad
How can I refinance my car loan?
I’ve had the same car loan for about a year. I’ve been building up my credit score since I got the loan, and now I want to refinance. What’s the best way to refinance my car loan?
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Chloe Jenkins
What do you typically need to qualify for 0% APR financing?
The local Kia dealership is offering 0% financing for new cars, but in the fine print it reads for qualified buyers. What do I need to qualify for 0% APR financing?
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Eric Schad
Why is the dealer turning me down for an auto loan even when I have a 700 credit score and a cosigner?
Why do we keep getting rejected for a car loan when we have good credit? I'm trying to buy a new car with 0% APR financing for 60 months. I have a credit score of 707, but I was denied. I added my mom to the loan as she has a credit score of 730 and we were denied once again. I'm not making a down payment either, if that matters.
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Eric Schad
How long do I have to pay off a car loan?
I’m graduating from business school this winter and already have a job lined up in a new city, but I need to purchase a car to commute to work every day. I’ve owned a few cars before, but I always paid for them in cash and never had to take out a car loan. Thanks to student loans, I understand how they work, but how long do you typically have to pay off a car loan?
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Jack Walsh
Is 660 a good credit score for a car loan?
I'm planning to buy a new car. To prepare, I checked my credit score. Can I get a good car loan if my credit score is 660?
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Lauren Smith
What are the benefits of refinancing a car?
I have a 17% interest rate on my car loan and my friend told me I should consider refinancing. What are the advantages of refinancing my car?
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Eric Schad
What information do I need for a car loan?
What do I need to prepare to apply for a car loan? This is my first time. I want to make sure I have the correct documents to make this process go smoothly.
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Phoebe Mah
Can I have a loan for more than one car?
Am I allowed to have a loan for more than one car? I will pay off my old car in a few months, but I see a great deal on a new car now and I don't want to miss out.
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Shannon Martin
Can I get a car loan at 19?
I just turned 19 and am attending a commuter college. I need a car, but I can't afford to pay for the full thing. How can I get a car loan?
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Lauren Smith
What do banks use to determine car loan value?
I want to buy an Escalade, but it has tons of extras—such as an aftermarket stereo system, tinted windows, and 24-inch rims. As a result, it's more expensive than the Blue Book value. What do banks use to determine car loan value? Can I still get the loan?
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Eric Schad
How many points will my credit score go up with a car loan?
I'm buying a car with a car loan. My credit is decent right now, but I'd love it if the loan bumped my score up a bit. How many points will a car loan boost my score?
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Eric Schad
Why doesn't Chase have any record of a car loan that the dealer said they financed through them?
I'm a first-time car buyer. I went to purchase a vehicle with financing and the dealer said they were working with Chase. I was skeptical of the agreement from the start, as some of the initial numbers (interest rate and principal) they gave me don't match the numbers on the loan agreement. I also called Chase and they have no record of any loan. What gives?
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Eric Schad
Can I get a car loan with bad credit?
My credit score is considered bad. I'm trying to work on it and didn't want to take out any loans until I improved it, but our car just died. I need a vehicle to make it to work, pick up my kids, and drive my grandma to appointments. What’s the best way to get a car loan with bad credit?
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Lauren Smith
Can I apply for a car loan online?
I’ve been shopping for a new car at local dealerships, and I’ve found a few I’m interested in. But the interest rates offered by the dealerships seem abnormally high. I don’t want to get stuck overpaying for my car loan. Is it possible to apply for a car loan online?
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Jack Walsh

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