Finance Ray Lam on 04 May 2008
Useful Tips For An Automobile Loan Application
If you are looking to finance a car purchase in the near future then you really must consider using a car loan to fund it. If you haven’t used a loan like this before, it is a great way to fund a car because it is secured by a lien on the vehicle being purchased; the security required for the loan will reduce as the risk decreases with each monthly premium. Once you have determined how much you will have to spend the next step is to search on the internet (initially at least), to find the car you have set your decided on.
The best way to search for a car is using the many online services now available which speed up the search tremendously as all you need to do is enter the type of car and budget and the search engines can do the rest, all without leaving your home. You can also look for a more up-market car than you would ordinarily be able to buy if you are happy to settle for a used version perhaps only a few years old. Don’t forget that the most important thing for you to do before you even apply for the auto loan is to make sure you do not have any black marks on your credit record.
If you credit history is ok then fine but if there are errors, then this is the time to have them rectified as you may find the loan interest rate is ‘loaded’ against you when it is approved. You shouldn’t have any problem if your credit score is over 550 so if you find it is below this make the necessary corrections if you can before you apply. Auto loans can be obtained through most finance companies including car dealerships but that doesn’t mean you should accept the first offer that comes your way.
Often finance packages will offer low cost options but these need to be looked into fully before any commitment is made. You should try to put down as large a down payment as possible as this will decrease the amount on finance which will reduce the amount you pay per month and how much is repaid in total. Having insurance can also help you to get a better deal sometimes although it is not necessary; this gives an assurance to the lenders that their money is safe although it is not actually required.
Many car dealers with give a rebate if you finance your car with them and this is usually worthwhile but the interest rate may be slightly higher to offset this; once you receive the rebate and finance you can refinance your car online to get a lower rate. Whilst many companies offer auto loans, two in particular are worth checking out; E-Loans and Capital One Auto Finance, as both of these do not charge for the application or for a deposit. If your dealer wants to provide you with the best rate then he will need to match those available online.