What to consider before taking out a car loan
New vs. used car
When buying a car, you’ll need to decide whether to get a new or used vehicle. This can play a role in what financing options are available to you and how much of an auto loan you’ll need to take out.
A new car purchase generally comes with better and more convenient financing options. Used cars, on the other hand, tend to cost less.
Leasing vs. buying a car
Another factor to consider when shopping for a new vehicle is whether you want to buy or lease a car. Instead of owning your car at the end of your auto loan, leasing a car requires that you make monthly loan payments for a predetermined amount of time. Once that time is up, you’ll have to return the car.
Some lenders offer car lease buyouts, which extend the option to purchase your car, typically at the end of your lease. However, you may have the option to buy your car earlier in the lease, too.
Getting preapproved for a car loan
Shopping around and getting preapproved car loans from banks, credit unions and/or online lenders can give you an advantage during the vehicle financing process. Be sure to get preapproved with at least three lenders so you can compare car loan rates, terms and borrowing amounts.
Preapproval requires a hard credit pull — which can bring your credit score down by a few points —- but is a firm offer from a lender. Once you close on your loan, your APR will be similar, if not the same, as your preapproved rate. You can use these offers to negotiate with lenders.
Trading in your car
If you currently own a vehicle, you can trade in your car and put its value toward your car payment. You can determine your car’s worth by using online resources such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) or Edmunds.
However, you may make more money if you sell your car privately through a site like Craigslist.
Vehicle rebates
A vehicle rebate is a discount some auto manufacturers offer on new cars. Car rebates can include cash discounts, low auto loan rates and special lease deals. For instance, some auto companies, like Toyota, offer 0% APR car deals.
Car loan fees
As with many forms of credit, you may have to pay some car loan fees when you buy your new vehicle. Some common types of fees include registration and title fees, administrative fees and destination charges (if you have the vehicle shipped). Keep in mind these dealer fees to avoid buying a car since they can unnecessarily add to the total cost of your bill.
Car loan taxes
When you buy a car, you’ll need to pay local and state taxes on your purchase. The most common tax that comes with a car loan is a sales tax. Some states, such as Oregon, don’t charge a sales tax or levy local sales taxes. Other states, such as California, charge sales tax as high as 7.25%.
In some instances, buying a car is tax-deductible. For instance, when you file your taxes, you may be able to deduct the sales tax you paid on your car.
FAQs
A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483.
How much would a monthly payment be on a $25,000 car loan? ›
Example: A six year fixed-rate loan for a $25,000 new car, with 20% down, requires a $20,000 loan. Based on a simple interest rate of 3.4% and a loan fee of $200, this loan would have 72 monthly payments of $310.54 each and an annual percentage rate (APR) of 3.74%.
How much is the monthly payment on a $20000 car loan? ›
For instance, using our loan calculator, if you buy a $20,000 vehicle at 5% APR for 60 months the monthly payment would be $377.42 and you would pay $2,645.48 in interest.
How much is a $30,000 car payment for 5 years? ›
Provided the down payment is $5,000, the interest rate is 10%, and the loan length is five years, the monthly payment will be $531.18/month.
What is the formula for calculating monthly installment payments? ›
EMI Calculation Formula with Example
The lending institution has offered a loan with an annual interest rate of 7.2% for a tenure of 10 years. EMI = Rs 10,00,000 * 0.006 * (1 + 0.006)120 / ((1 + 0.006)120 – 1) = Rs 11,714. Hence, you will be paying the EMI of Rs 11,714 every month for 10 years.
How much is a $40,000 car loan payment 84 months? ›
For example, a car buyer considering a $40,000 new car loan with an 84-month term at 9% APR would have a monthly car payment of about $623 and pay $12,369 in interest over the seven-year loan.
How much is a $50,000 car payment? ›
The loan payments on a $50,000 car could be $724 or higher -- depending on down payment, interest rate, and loan term length. This would make buying a new car unaffordable for many.
What credit score do you need to get a 30k car loan? ›
There is no set minimum FICO® Score to get a car loan. However, a good score at 720 or better will get you the best rate. Consider spending some time improving your credit score before shopping for your next car. Even moving up a few points can make a big difference if you have a low score.
What credit score is needed for a $25,000 car loan? ›
While there is no set credit score to get an auto loan, a majority of approved borrowers have scores above 660. Having a low credit score won't necessarily keep you from getting an auto loan, but you will likely pay a higher interest rate.
Is 25k expensive for a car? ›
A $25,000 car is a relatively affordable vehicle for most people, and it's well below the national average cost of a vehicle. If you're borrowing to buy a $25,000 car, you need to consider how much monthly payments will be.
On average, they get an APR of 2.89%, which obliges them to pay the following amounts monthly on a $15,000 loan: 12 months. $1269.25.
What credit score do I need for a $20000 car loan? ›
A 640 score is typically enough for a $20,000 loan but the loan terms might be stricter compared to a higher score. Can I get approved for a $50,000 car loan with a 600 credit score? Yes, that scenario is entirely possible.
What credit score do you need for a 20k car loan? ›
In general, you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, but the minimum credit score required with vary from lender to lender.
What is a good APR for a car? ›
What is a good APR for a car loan with my credit score and desired vehicle? If you have excellent credit (750 or higher), the average auto loan rates are 5.07% for a new car and 5.32% for a used car. If you have good credit (700-749), the average auto loan rates are 6.02% for a new car and 6.27% for a used car.
