You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a new car by selecting a model with a low purchase price, low depreciation, financing, insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs.
After selecting a car with the options you desire, you can save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping. Get car dealership loan quotes from several lenders.
Walking into a dealership with a guaranteed auto loan in your hand gives you bargaining power and flexibility. And you can easily avoid the common dealership trap of muddying vehicle price with financing costs.
Having guaranteed auto financing also forces the dealership to be competitive if they desire you to use their lender. If the dealership's lender can offer a better rate, then you've saved even more by forcing them to be competitive. So always first arrange outside auto financing before you step onto a car dealership lot.
When applying for an auto financing quote, always ask for a loan amount a little higher than what you expect the vehicle to cost you. It means extra flexibility for you at closing time, and you're under no obligation to use your entire loan limit.
Some online lenders may offer even lower auto financing interest rates if you pay electronically.
Online Auto Loan Benefits
Benefits of an online auto loan:
- You can get lower interest rates than most conventional lenders.
- You'll have a check-in-hand for greater negotiating leverage.
- You'll avoid the car dealer's finance manager and the run-around.
- Faster, convenient online service, with approval in minutes.
- Secure application to protect personal information.
- Your financing will already be arranged and approved. You can give the dealer a "take it or leave it" ultimatum with your check in hand!
- Dealers might add to the percentage rate to increase their profit.
- A dealer may lure you into believing he can easily finance, but later claim the payments will be higher because the interest rate quoted was denied.
- The dealer may offer to match or slightly beat your interest rate only to add several months to the length of the term.