Your Quick Guide on How to Finance a Used Car
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2021
#1 Find a car dealer who offers financing
People who buy cars from dealerships often pay cash or finance their purchases through loans. When buying a used car, you want to find a dealership that offers financing options. If you’re buying a car from a dealership, you’ll likely be offered financing options.
Financing a vehicle may not be right for everyone, but it could be worth considering if you don’t have much money saved up to buy vehicle outright. If car dealership doesn’t offer financing, then you should consider shopping around for a different dealer. Some dealerships may not be able to finance certain vehicles, or they might have higher interest rates than others. The loan amount is determined by the car’s value, buyer’s credit score, income, and expenses.
Financing FAQ
| The car loan vs. lease | |
| There are two main types of auto financing: loans and leases. Loans are typically used for buying cars while leases are usually used for renting vehicles. In both cases, the vehicle owner makes monthly payments to finance the purchase or rental of their vehicle. | |
| What happens after I pay off my car loan? | |
| After paying off your car loan, you own the car outright. However, if you choose to lease instead of buy, then you still have to pay back the amount you borrowed each month. When you lease a vehicle, you don’t actually own the car until the end of the contract. At that point, you’ll be able to either return the car to the dealership or keep it. | |
| Why use used car financing? | |
| Used car financing is a great option for people who want to buy a used vehicle but don’t have enough money saved up to cover the entire purchase price. | |
| What if I don’t have good credit? How do lenders determine the amount of money they offer me? | |
| The lender looks at your credit report. Your credit score affects the interest rate you’ll pay on a car loan. Lenders use this number to determine how much money they’ll lend you. They pull your credit report to get a snapshot of your financial history. Based on lenders proposed terms to the finance manager at the used car dealership, finance manager will set the terms of the loan, including the length of the loan, the interest rate, and whether you need to put down any money. You will have to sign a bank contract before you drive away with your new ride. |
#2 Consider buying vs. leasing
Leasing a vehicle is often cheaper than purchasing one outright. However, if you plan to keep the car for a long period of time, then you’ll need to pay off the lease before selling it. Typically buying makes more sense, as it carries lower expense.
Buying a used car is a great option if you want a reliable vehicle without having to pay top dollar. If you’re looking to buy a used car, here’s what you need to know before pulling the trigger.
- How do I find a good deal?
- Finding a good deal on a used car isn’t always easy. The first step is to research the market and find out where the best deals are. Then, once you’ve narrowed down your options, you’ll have to check out each dealer’s inventory. Finally, you’ll have to negotiate the price.
- What should I consider when buying a used car?
- When buying a used car, you’ll want to consider things like mileage, condition, safety features, and maintenance history. All of these factors will affect the value of the vehicle.
- Is it better to buy a new or used car?
- If you’re going to be driving the vehicle for several years, then buying a new car may be a better option. However, if you plan on selling the vehicle within six months, then buying a used car might be a better option.
- Can I get a loan on my used car?
- It depends on your credit score, income, time at work, expenses, etc.
- The easiest way to find out it to get-prequalified without impact to your credit. All you need to do is to find a vehicle you like and fill our credit app using blue “Explore Financing” button by CapitalOne.
#3 Shop around for the best car and loan rate deal
You can get a better price and APR on a used car from a dealership that specializes in used cars rather than just any dealership. Also, shop around for the best deals on car loans. Dealerships that specialize in used cars tend to have lower prices (less money you have to repay) than those that sell new cars or online vehicle retailers.
Best car deal FAQ
| Shop around for the best deal |
| When looking for the best deal, start your Google search with the “best used car dealer near me”. There are many different options available to you, including local car dealerships, national chains, and online retailers. By doing some research, you can find out what each dealership offers and whether they have any complaints filed against them. Thousands of 5-star reviews serve as a proof of our customers love. |
| Do your homework before signing anything |
| Before signing a contract at a car dealership, do your homework first. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Read through the terms and conditions thoroughly before agreeing to anything. If you don’t like what you see, ask questions. |
| Ask questions |
| If you’re not satisfied with the answers you receive, ask follow-up questions until you get the information you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if something isn’t clear to you. |
Benefits of searching for “car dealerships near me” and buying local when financing a used car
Buying cars from a dealer close to home is often a better deal than buying from a private owner or a dealer farther away. Here’s why… local dealerships know local laws. If you live in a state of Indiana where you need to pay 7% sales tax and considering buying a car from a dealer out of state, then you’ll want to find out whether out-of-state dealership charges taxes before you buy (you might be taxed twice if you bought a vehicle from the non-reciprocal state).
5 more reasons to buy from your local car dealership
1. Save money: buying a vehicle is not cheap. The average cost of a vehicle is $30,000 or higher. That’s why it makes sense to buy your vehicle from a dealer who offers great deals on cars and loans. Dealerships offer financing and trade-in incentives to attract customers. Car dealership often has lower prices than private sellers as car dealers tend to have larger inventories of vehicles than individual sellers do. Because dealerships buy wholesale, they get vehicles for less than private sellers. Dealers also don’t pay sales tax, as vehicle is bought for resale. Therefore car dealers can sell vehicles at lower prices.
2. Get warranty coverage: when you purchase a vehicle from a car dealership, finance manager offer warranties. These warranties protect you against defects in the vehicle. Private sellers do not offer this protection.
3. Avoid getting stuck with a lemon: a lemon is a vehicle that does not perform well. When you buy a vehicle from a dealership you avoid getting stuck with a lemon.
4. Know what you’re paying for: dealerships know their vehicles inside and out. They are able to tell if the vehicle has been damaged or repaired. If they find any issues with the vehicle, they’ll let you know before you buy it.
5. Dealerships offer financing: you may not be able to find financing through a bank or credit union if you’re looking to purchase a vehicle. But many dealerships offer financing options, which can save you money over time.
3 steps to get a better handle on what you want from your used car
- Know what you want
- It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a used vehicle. But before you head out to buy a pre-owned ride, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for.
- Take a test drive
- Before you commit to buying a used car, take it for a spin. Test driving gives you an opportunity to check out the vehicle’s exterior, interior, and performance. If you don’t like what you see or hear, you’ll have plenty of time to change your mind before making a purchase.
- Get a good deal on a car and car loan
- The price of a used car depends on several factors, including the model, year, mileage, condition, and options. Before you start shopping around, be sure to ask yourself these questions: What kind of vehicle am I looking for? How much money do I want to spend? Where should I go to find a good deal?
Finance Your Used Car Today at Indy Auto Man car dealership
If you’re looking to finance your used car, you’ll want to get a free quote from us. Our financing department should be able to give you a ballpark figure on what you can expect to pay monthly. Search for a car and send us a question from the vehicle’s detail page or fill out a guest form.
Once you’ve got a rough idea of what you can afford, come for a test drive. We often offer incentives like lower interest rates or extended loan terms if you buy and finance through us.