Bad Credit Car Loan On the Car Lot
A bad credit car loan may not be your only option for purchasing a new car. Just to clarify - what I mean by "bad credit car loan" is a high-interest loan of the type that's usually offered to those that can't get a loan through traditional channels. They're the kind of loan you'll get at one of those little car lots that pepper the inner city landscape whatever the city you live in - the ones with big fluorescent signs that read "BAD CREDIT? CAR LOAN FOR ANY CREDIT! BUY HERE - PAY HERE".
All right. Let's be real here. If your credit is THAT bad, you may have no other option than to use a car dealer that can offer you a bad credit car loan. And if it IS your only option, it's a lucky thing that they exist. Sometimes you need a car and there's no way around it. Before you decide that a Bad Credit Car Loan dealer is your only option, though, there are a few other steps that you should take.
First, don't assume that your bad credit disqualifies you for a standard car loan. Financial institutions that are reluctant to extend you a personal loan or a home mortgage may be far more willing to offer a bad credit car loan. Why? Repossessing and reselling a car is far easier than foreclosing on a home - or squeezing a personal loan out of a client who's defaulted on payments. One of the single most important things you need to know to help you get a new car for the lowest price possible is your credit score or rating. If you know your credit score, you have a leg up on finding out what kind of terms you can find on a car loan.
Second, research possible loan sources. Some places that you should check before you apply for a bad credit car loan are:
1. Your own bank or credit union may offer you a car loan at reasonable rates, especially if you maintain a savings or money market account with the same bank.
2. A family member may be willing to cosign a loan with you. The guarantee of repayment by someone with a better credit rating is often enough to get you better than "bad credit car loan" interest rates.
3. A household finance lender like Beneficial or Lending Tree may have more lenient terms than a bank.
4. Standard automobile dealers have a number of financing options - but don't expect to get good interest rates. If possible, you should NEVER shop for a car without having financing arranged first. Make every effort to be pre-qualified for an auto loan before setting foot on the car lot. Prequalification doesn't obligate you to anything - but it does give you something in hand when you go car shopping.
By pre-qualifying for a loan before you visit your car dealer, you'll give yourself some financing options. That may help you avoid the temptation to accept one of those high-interest bad credit auto loans from a finance company with whom the dealership does business. If, on the other hand, the dealership can get you more favorable terms, you're not locked into a loan for which you pre-qualified, but didn't make a formal application.
Finally, if your only option is a 'buy here-pay here' dealer that specializes in bad credit auto loans, be certain to check all the terms carefully and get everything in writing.
Bad Credit Car Loan On the Car Lot
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