Most people who purchase a car must obtain an auto loan in order to pay for it. The cost of autos is the reason for this: According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for a new car, van, sport utility vehicle, or smaller truck in December 2019 was $38,948.
The majority of folks don’t have that much money to spend on an automobile. So, many customers must take out an auto loan, which they repay over time, to pay for their new vehicle.
But how do auto loans operate? How much would it cost you per month to repay one?
These are some auto loan fundamentals. When you’re prepared to purchase a new car, it’s crucial to comprehend how these financial tools operate.
How Car Loans Work
Similar to other loans, you’ll normally apply for an auto loan through a bank, credit union, or other lender. Directly from the dealership where you buy your new automobile, you may also apply for a loan.
If you receive a loan, you must pay it back to the lender in interest-bearing monthly installments. The sum of these installments will vary according to the amount you borrow, the length of the loan, and the interest rate.
Let’s say you obtain a $20,000 auto loan with a 60-month term and a 2.69% interest rate. You would have to pay $357 each month.
You would pay $440 a month if you took out the same loan with a period of 48 months.
Your monthly payment would increase to $540 if you took out a $30,000 auto loan with a 60-month term and a 3 percent interest rate.
You can see that depending on the duration, interest rate, and loan amount, your payment might change dramatically.
What Qualifies You for a Car Loan in the Eyes of Lenders?
When you apply for a loan, lenders will carefully consider your income, bills, and credit score. The greater your salary, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio, the more probable it is that lenders will approve your loan application.
Also, lenders will request copies of each of your three credit reports from ExperianTM, Equifax®, and TransUnion®, the three major national credit agencies. Any recently missing or late payments will be included in these reports. Borrowers without a history of late payments are more likely to be accepted by lenders. If you’ve paid your credit card payment late in the past, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t acquire a car loan; however, you might be charged a higher interest rate, which would increase the cost of your loan.
Also, lenders will consider the cost of the car you intend to purchase. Your credit score and level of income must be better the more expensive your car is in order to be approved for a loan. The fact that loans for used cars often have higher interest rates than loans for new cars should also be noted.
Lenders will also consider the term of your loan. Lenders may charge you a higher interest rate if your loan term is longer—the more months it will take you to pay it off—in order to offset the greater risk they are taking on.
Is A Lower Monthly Payment Always Better?
It’s crucial to keep in mind that just because your monthly car payment is cheaper doesn’t guarantee your loan will cost you less overall. The reason for that is interest.
Generally speaking, your monthly payment will be lower the longer the loan’s term is. This is as a result of your repayment being spread out across more months. But if you take out a longer-term loan, your interest rate will increase.
Here’s an illustration: Let’s say you obtain a $25,000 auto loan with a 3% interest rate and a 48-month duration. Your total interest payments over the course of 4 years would be $1,561. The monthly payment would decrease by $104 but the total amount of interest would rise to $1,953 if you took out the same loan at the same interest rate but for 60 months (5 years).
Hence, if your budget can accommodate a higher monthly payment, a shorter-term loan can be a better option. If you take out a loan for a shorter period of time, your car will cost less.
You might look into refinancing your auto loan if your financial condition changes. But remember, refinancing doesn’t come for free. Make sure the lower interest rates outweigh the refinancing fees because you’ll have to pay them.
Is It A Good Idea To Finance Your Car Purchase?
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to pay cash for a car if you have the money. You can save a lot of money if you pay cash instead of borrowing money and paying interest.
Only if you are disciplined enough to invest the money you would have spent on a new car does financing make sense, even if you have the cash to buy a car. The secret is to place your funds in an interest-bearing account that will generate more income than you would by forgoing interest on your auto loan.
Yet, the majority of people cannot afford to use this strategy. They can only buy a car with loans, which is their only choice.
Should You Take Out Financing From The Dealer?
When financing a vehicle, you have the choice of obtaining a loan from an outside bank or lender or directly from the car dealership.
It’s a good idea to compare prices before choosing a loan option. You can better grasp your pricing range before you start shopping if any lenders offer pre-approval. The lender or bank will analyze your credit, verify your income, and decide how much money they are willing to lend you during the preapproval procedure. You can use this preapproval letter to start a loan to fund the purchase of a car if you discover one.
But, you are not compelled to repay this loan. You might be able to get financing from your dealer. Inform your dealer about your current loan. It is hoped that the dealer will provide you with a loan with better terms and a lower interest rate. Even while the dealership will handle most of the paperwork for you, financing through them directly might not be the best option for you.
To receive the greatest price for your situation, consider your alternatives with dealers and other lenders.
What Happens If You Miss Payments?
Make prompt payments on any loans you obtain. If you pay after the due date, your lender might charge you a late fee. Also, the three credit bureaus will receive notification of your late payment if it is made 30 days or more after the due date. Your three-digit FICO® Score may decrease as much as 100 points as a result of this.
Your lender may reclaim your car and take it away from you if you consistently fall behind on your payments.
Of course, you don’t have to finance your car or pay cash to buy one. A automobile can be leased as well. Find out if buying or leasing is best for you.