A new car loan is a type of vehicle financing offered by many car dealerships. A new car loan allows the borrower, or lessee, to get in a brand new automobile with very low monthly payments, but it also locks them into a contract and makes it difficult to sell their vehicle quickly if they need the money. There are many benefits and downsides to signing up for this type of lending deal that you should consider before you sign on the dotted line and commit yourself to driving around in a low-mileage debt ball and chain.
How Do New Car Loans Work?
Although these loans can be quite complex, they typically consist of the following steps:
The customer contacts a car dealership that will offer you a new car loan. Typically banks are involved in financing the deal and will send you paperwork to complete within a couple of minutes. The customer chooses the terms they will accept when signing the loan documents; this is usually interest-free financing for a set amount of time. The customer also agrees to prepay a fee (typically $500) which allows them to start enjoying their new ride sooner. This fee is based on how far into the term you will be before paying it back.
The car dealership handles all the paperwork with the borrower, the bank, and other institutions involved. Once the loan is approved, they will deliver the car to your door.
The customer takes ownership of the vehicle and then begins making monthly payments to pay back their loan. However, if they haven’t paid it off before the interest-free term ends, they are still responsible for making payments at a higher interest rate.
Is it smart to finance a new car?
Buying a new car is a very exciting step in anyone’s life and the prospect of owning something unique and something that will be yours for years to come is extremely appealing. Being able to drive your car around is an incredible feeling and one you should enjoy doing as much as possible. Of course, some people can’t afford to buy their new car outright and therefore need to take out a loan to purchase it.
However, it would help to consider what you’re getting into before deciding what you want or need from a new car. Simply put, considering all the costs involved in purchasing a new car can lead to major headaches. You will need to make sure that you will be able to pay for its operating costs each month and its maintenance and repairs. This may seem small, but if you put it into perspective, it could become extremely important.
Advantages of New Car Loans
The biggest benefit of a new car loan is the ability to drive away in a new car with low monthly payments. These loans, commonly called 0% financing, are set up for people who can’t afford to pay for their cars all at once (like if they needed the money for another big purchase). The payments on these loans are so low that the driver can handle the cost, even if it’s just after-tax income with no other income sources. Getting a new car with no money is a great feeling and can be very helpful when trying to make some extra cash on the side, such as during the holidays.
Another big advantage of new car loans is that you don’t have to pay for the whole term up front; instead, you can only pay the lender a fee that helps you out if you want to keep your car all together before the end of your contract term. This fee is usually not much, so people don’t mind paying it.
Disadvantages of New Car Loans
Although new car loans have many advantages, there are certainly some downsides. The biggest disadvantage is that you must make monthly payments for the car for a long time – five or even ten years. This makes it difficult to get rid of if you need to sell it quickly and has a higher chance of losing money if you try to sell it in the middle of the first or second year after buying it.
Another disadvantage is that if you don’t pay the same amount of money on your car as you agreed to, it may be difficult to get the car off of your hands and out of the contract altogether. Many people have experienced this with financing when they do not realize until months that they are not being charged for interest but for making minimum payments on their loans. If you are having trouble paying up or can’t afford to pay monthly, see if there is a way to get out of the contract before it’s too late.
Before you sign a contract on a new car loan, make sure you know what you are getting into with the dealer beforehand and can get out of your contract if you have to. Also, make sure that your payments will be affordable for the long term and that there will be no hidden fees involved before putting your name on the dotted line. With proper research and planning, financing a brand new vehicle can be simple and beneficial; just make sure it’s what you want before you get into it!
What is a Good Rate on a New Car Loan?
One of the most important things to consider when signing up for a new car loan is how the interest rate you will be paying works out over time. Although it might seem like you are getting a good deal by not paying any interest for a certain period, this can quickly become very expensive if unpaid for too long.
Some car dealerships will offer financing on new cars at an APR (annual percentage rate) of less than 10 percent, but that is usually only if they give a price guarantee. This means the dealer will set their advertised price, but they won’t charge more than that amount to get your business.
The APR of a new car loan is typically based on the difference between your down payment, the negotiated price of the vehicle, and other factors. Many factors can affect this rate; however, you might expect to pay between 6 and 25 percent on your financing, depending on your FICO score and other financial factors.
It is important to consider that all levels of credit are accepted for loans on new vehicles; many people with bad credit have financed their cars this way. If you have fair credit or worse (as many car buyers do), you may be able to negotiate very good rates for yourself by getting a co-signer with good or excellent credit.
How to Apply for New Car Loan?
Applying for a new car loan is simple and takes little time. You need your name, address, and several documents to complete the procedure. You will need to show proof of employment and income. Some lenders will also allow you to check your credit score ahead of time so that they can make all the necessary calculations before agreeing to extend you a loan.
The paperwork is typically easy and straightforward; however, there are some things you should carefully consider if you are in a hurry to get behind the wheel. First and foremost, if you have bad credit, this situation may be quite tricky for your lender. They will likely require at least some proof of property ownership or something similar before giving you the green light to buy your dream car.
Another thing to ensure is that you won’t be dealing with a car dealership that will be giving you a bad deal; it’s important to ask for their advertised price and then negotiate for something lower. The best deals can often be found online or over the telephone.
If you are in the market for a new car and want to save money by financing it, consider these points when considering how to get financing and the best deals. You don’t need perfect credit to get behind the wheel of a brand new ride, but you may have to pay more than you had planned if you’re dealing with a dealer who is clearly trying to take advantage of your financial situation.
Finally, ensure that you’re getting a good rate for your credit and that the loan terms are as favorable to you as possible. You can get an idea of a decent interest rate by checking out what other people in your situation are paying.
How Long Does it Take to Get a New Car Loan Approved?
Once you have made your way through the paperwork, you’re likely well on your way to becoming the proud owner of your dream ride. However, you will still need to wait for someone to make a decision about your loan and give their approval.
Usually, this takes just a few minutes of conversation and then some simple calculations; however, most people apply for financing at least three times before getting the deal they want.
During the process, you should also be expected to provide references from reputable sources, income and employment information, credit and property history, and much more. As part of this process, you may also need to provide some personal documents.
In a good economic environment with a high rate of car sales and lenders willing to make loans on new cars, it shouldn’t take too long to get approved regardless of your situation. If you have good credit or better, it may take just 15 minutes; a person with no credit history could be fighting an uphill battle.
What are the Documents Required to Apply for a New Car Loan?
The most important document needed to apply for a new car loan is your loan history. You will need proof that you are making regular payments on loans or debt. If possible, this should also include information about your employment and income; some lenders may check these details to decide what they feel they can afford to lend you.
Some of the most common requirements are:
- Proof of Income.
- Proof of Residence.
- Driver’s License or ID card.
- Social Security Card.
- Financial Statement.
You can also include other documents if you have them; however, remember that they may not be as helpful to the lender in their decision-making if used repeatedly on different occasions.