3 Major Money Mistakes People Make When Financing Their Car

For most Americans, having a car is a necessity. Whether you take concrete highways — which represent roughly 30% of all US interstate highways — or unpaved pathways to get to work or school, the majority of people agree that it’s better to rely on your own transportation than to be subject to publicly run options.

Still, obtaining a vehicle for yourself isn’t always easy — particularly if you have financial limitations. Certainly, buying a used vehicle helps save money; 40 million used cars exchanging hands each year is proof of that.  After all, the important components — some of which may be made from processes like reaction injection molding — don’t change much from year to year. So in most cases it’s better for those on a budget to avoid buying new. Well … unless your heart is pulling you toward a specific new model.

Financing a vehicle involves obtaining a loan and gradually paying it off over time. This differs from leasing where you pay a monthly fee to drive the car. However, when your lease term expires, you don’t own the vehicle.

Financing is a popular way for motorists of all ages to own a car, as very few people can afford to buy a vehicle outright. However, the process can be notoriously complex. If you’re not careful, you could end up in a dire monetary situation. Before you talk to an auto dealer or a bank about securing vehicle financing, you’ll want to learn about the most prevalent mistakes car buyers make with their loans. That way, you’ll be able to avoid these missteps and make sound decisions.

Failing to Think About Financing First

If you’re eager to own a vehicle, you’ll probably think about payment last. But this may cause you to fall in love with a car that you can’t afford. Before you ever visit a dealership or peruse used car ads online, you’ll want to determine your budget. That means you’ll want to learn more about your credit score, explore financing options, and decide how much you can actually afford to spend — including how much you can pay per month for a loan — before taking a test drive. You might even want to think about being pre-approved for financing before going to the lot. And since 6 million people across the US are behind on their car payments by 90 days or more, failing to consider financing upfront could have major consequences down the line.

Not Considering the Loan Terms

It’s easy to focus on just one number — the monthly payment — when figuring out whether a car loan is acceptable. But that’s only part of the story. Sure, the monthly payment might seem feasible — but how long will you be making those payments? A car dealer might extend the terms of the loan to five years or more just to make the monthly payments look reasonable. In fact, a credit reporting firm recently found that almost half of auto loans for new vehicles taken during the first half of last year had loan terms in excess of six years. Not only will that mean you’re stuck paying for your vehicle for far longer than you should be, but you’ll also rack up more interest as time goes on. Essentially, you may end up paying for a car you can’t afford — and paying way more for it than you would have otherwise. Instead of zeroing in on the monthly payment, keep the total cost of the car in mind, as well as how much you’ll really be paying over the life of the loan.

Ignoring Your Credit Score

Whether you like it or not, your credit score has an impact on your vehicle financing. Having a not-so-great credit score might not completely discount your ability to secure financing. However, it can have a big impact on your terms. Some companies specialize in granting subprime loans to borrowers with poor credit histories. And even though these may seem to be the only option for certain people, it’s best to avoid them. Instead, work on improving your credit score before you ever apply for vehicle financing. You should ensure that your credit score actually reflects your credit history accurately. This is because any errors can end up being a big deal. Assuming your score is accurate, you’ll want to know exactly what it is. That way, a dealer won’t be able to deceive you about this number. If you know your credit score and are pre-approved for financing, you can use this to bargain with auto dealers.

For many of us, having our own car represents independence. But nobody feels free when they have a high-interest-rate note with overly-expensive vehicle financing. By avoiding the aforementioned mistakes when securing a loan, you can save money and drive a vehicle you love.

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