What Does It Mean to Finance a Car?

What exactly is car financing, anyway? Financing a car is an important part of the process, as it helps you not only get that car of your dreams but also has other benefits. Car financing means getting a loan either through the dealership, bank, credit union, or some combination of sources. Whether you're looking for a new or used car in Chatham, it's important to understand the lender factors that contribute to the loan:
- Credit Score
- Age of the Vehicle
- Debt-to-income Ratio
- Length of the Loan
- Loan Amount
If your credit score is poor, a lender may have no choice but to offer you loans with a higher interest rate, so it's good to either try to clean up your credit score first before applying or cosign with a family member or friend.
Finding the Right Auto Loan
Finding the right car loan is important before you can start cruising through the streets of Rochester. It's always good when you're looking to purchase a new or used car to speak to the dealership's financing department to see if they offer any special financing options in-house. They can also help explain how car finance works in greater detail. Compare the offers they make to those offered by your bank, credit card, or other companies.
Here are some more tips for finding the right auto loan:
- Trading in your existing car when making a down payment can help you to reduce the impact that financing with poor credit can have on your loan's interest rates.
- Use a payment calculator to see how your loan payments will compare. Include the cost of gas, maintenance, and insurance into your monthly payments.
- If you're looking to finance from multiple locations, remember that each loan application can cause your credit score to drop, so submit all of your applications within a short period of time.
Now that you know more about what it means to finance a car, you can apply for financing at our dealership today!
Finalizing the Terms of Your Loan
Before you can finalize your auto loan, you and the dealer may still need to negotiate a price for the vehicle as well as the interest. Once that is done, and after signing all of the necessary paperwork, you'll be able to take your new car off the lot and relax!
Learn More About Car Financing in Springfield
Now that you know more about what it means to finance a car, it's time to get the process started! If you have any questions, you can always contact us to find out more about how car financing works or come in and speak directly with the experts in our finance department near Decatur. We'd be happy to walk you through the car financing process!