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.
