What is a 96-month Car Loan?
A car loan spanning 96 months is a fixed-rate automobile financing with monthly payments. Most auto loans are for three to five years with 24 to 36 months of payments. Having a longer repayment period can help you save money in the long run and keep your monthly payment more affordable.
A 96-month car loan works just like a traditional auto loan. You take out money from the financial institution and pay it back over time. The bank or financial institution will have you pay a monthly payment that is made up of interest and principal payments. The principal payment portion of the monthly payment will go toward paying down your loan balance, while the interest portion will cover the interest on your loan and make it possible to keep using it as collateral for getting more money out of the financial institution.
To ensure you don’t get in over your head, you need to consider how much of a car payment it will be and how it compares to other financing options. You also want to consider your credit score and whether you have any other debt that could be eliminated through consolidation or moving some high-interest balances onto lower-interest credit cards or loans.
You also want to consider the trade-off for paying off your vehicle sooner. If you have an extended loan term, you may be able to get a lower payment by just paying more on principle and interest over time. You will also have to pay off the balance sooner, reducing your overall interest charge and saving money.
Should you get a 96-month auto loan?
Before you get an extended loan, you should consider whether it makes sense to pursue other financing options first. You could even consider using a longer loan term as a repayment tool to find cheaper financing. For example, going with an eight-year loan could help lower your monthly payment if you wanted to take on a more expensive car or reduce your monthly obligation if you got a less expensive vehicle.
If you decide to go with a 96-month car loan, have good credit and no debt that can be consolidated or paid off. You also need to be sure the rate is competitive compared to other financing options.
In general, the longer you put off buying a car, the more you will cost in interest over time. However, if you want to buy a car with little to no money and need one that fits into your budget, it might make sense to consider an extended loan term.
The length of your car loan will ultimately depend on what works best for your situation and financial needs. You should work with a knowledgeable lender and research the different terms available before deciding what’s best for you.
Are 96 months good for a car loan?
The specific length of a car loan can vary. It depends on your needs, your financial situation, and the terms you are interested in. If you have good credit and have your finances under control, a longer loan term can be a good option if it fits with what you’re trying to do. For example, getting an extended-term loan could make sense if you want to get into a new vehicle with more features or features not available on other cars in the same price range (such as leather seats).
The timeframe of the car loan also depends on what kind of car you want to buy. For example, if you have your eyes on a luxury car that only comes with costly monthly payments, you might need to consider an extended loan term. If you have little to no money for a down payment or are getting less than stellar interest rates on your car loan, extending the credit terms can be helpful.
A longer loan term, in some cases, can be a good thing because it can reduce your monthly obligation significantly. The lower payment translates into lower interest payments and more affordable monthly payments that are easier to handle regularly.
Why Do Consumers Choose 96-Month Auto Loan Terms?
The main reasons consumers choose to extend their auto loan term are as follows:
- They want to reduce the monthly payments on their auto loan,
- They have a very high-interest rate on their current auto loan
- They have previously declared bankruptcy and need their car payment to be lower.
In most cases, it’s smart to avoid 96-month loans if you can. Extending your auto loan term increases your overall payment by quite a bit, even if your monthly payment amount is lower. This means that you’ll end up paying more money in interest charges at the end of the day when compared with a shorter loan term financing.
How to apply for a 96-month car loan?
You can apply for an extended loan term through many auto finance companies as a consumer. They are willing to work with consumers who have good credit and no issues with debt or poor credit scores.
Plenty of dealers offer extended loan terms, so you should be able to find the one that works best for your situation. You will simply need to go into the dealership and sign your paperwork to get approved for the financing.
Before signing on the dotted line, be sure to compare rates from other dealerships and financial institutions. You don’t want to commit to anything before knowing what other options might be available on the market.
The length and amount of the loan you take out depends on your budget and what you can afford. Suppose you have good credit, a reputable dealership or financial institution, and the ability to repay the loan with reasonable monthly payments. In that case, an extended-term car loan might be a good option for you.
Your finance payment should include your total debt payments, including your monthly car payment. It is because the interest rate on a car loan is typically pretty high, even if it’s an extended-term loan. The longer duration of the loan means that your interest rate will be higher than if you had a shorter term, which can add up over time.
Be sure to fill out the application form completely and accurately. You need to include all your personal information, including your credit score, income, and any debt you may have. You should also ensure that you understand the terms of your loan and the parts covered by the amount you pay each month. Any other fees should also be listed so you can understand how much a car payment will cost you each month and what it will cover at the end.
What are the documents required to apply for a 96-month car loan?
While you can go into many auto dealerships to buy a car and get an extended loan, you must have all of the proper documents necessary to complete the application process.
First and foremost, you must complete an application with all your information, including your name, address, telephone number, and social security number. The application should include your income, debt, and other relevant information to help the lender understand what financial decisions you’ve made in the past.
To apply for an extended-term loan for a car, you will need certain documents, such as:
- Proof of residence.
- Proof of vehicle insurance.
- Proof of vehicle registration.
- A credit report, recent bank statements, and a list of the names of all accounts you have with the financial institution.
- A driver’s license or state identification card that is not expired.
- Additional personal information, such as debt, savings/retirement, etc.
The lender will check your credit score; some will even pull a hard credit report on you when you apply. It is required to ensure you have a high enough score to qualify for an extended-term loan. If you don’t have excellent credit or if it’s been recently damaged by bankruptcy, foreclosure, or other conditions, then your lender may request to see additional documents to complete an extended loan application.
Alternatives to a 96-Month Auto Loan
There are two main alternatives to a 96-month auto loan. The first, less preferable than the extended term, is finding financing with a shorter loan period. The second alternative is saving up and paying for the car in cash.
If you can’t qualify for an extended term or aren’t interested in it, your best bet to save money on your car loan is to get a shorter term — typically around 60 months. This will help lower your interest rate and spending long-term.
Another option and one of the most popular ways to save money on car financing is to pay for your car in cash. If you have the money to pay for your vehicle without an auto loan, it could help lower both the amount of interest you pay and the monthly payments you need to make.
Getting a shorter term could mean a lower interest rate and better monthly payments, but if you can’t afford it upfront or don’t have the cash flow available, a 96-month auto loan could be helpful. It lets you buy a nicer car than you might be able to otherwise because you don’t have to worry about putting down a hefty down payment.