Getting an auto loan may seem like a pipe dream for many Americans out there who have poor or bad credit. But owning a car is a privilege not a right in this country, so knowing where you stand before you decide to apply for an auto loan will help you to make the whole process easier to complete and less stressful; not only on your mind but your wallet, too.

In many people’s opinions, you shouldn’t even consider buying a car if your credit is bad. You should try to wait until you have a secure hold on your finances and have fixed any blemishes on your credit report. Ordering a free copy of your credit report is the best way to know where you will stand with lenders and whether you have good credit, marginal credit, or bad credit. If possible you should try to wait until your credit score is at least 680. You will get much better options for financing the higher your credit score.

If you do have bad credit and circumstances are such that you absolutely have to get a car, definitely consider buying used instead of new. You should also work out your loan first and pick a car second. This is because not every dealership will have an affiliated lender who is willing to give out an auto loan to someone with bad credit who is considered a high risk. If you already have your mind set on a specific make and model, you can almost be sure to be disappointed if you don’t get approved for a loan with a dealer that has the car you’re looking for. Get your loan first and then pick out your car.

Figuring out what you can afford for monthly car loan payments is also very important before you apply for the loan. Knowing how much you can pay each month will help keep your payments timely and also keep your credit score from dropping even lower because of late or missed payments. There are many resources available online to do research on auto loans and APRs, and online calculators that can make figuring out what’s affordable for you very easy.

It’s vital to know that if you have bad credit you are much more likely to get an auto loan with a higher interest rate than someone with good credit. This is why knowing your credit score before hand is so important, and knowing what you can afford each month is crucial, because your payments will probably be higher than those with good credit because of the higher interest rates. Saving up money for a substantial down payment can help to lower your monthly payments also. And usually with a bad credit car loan, dealerships and their lenders will require a much larger down payment on a car; the amount varies by dealership and lender, but don’t be surprised if they ask for a few thousand dollars down.

Before any big purchase it is always important to do your research before actually buying. This is doubly important for people with bad credit. Knowing all the details before you apply for an auto loan can help save you time, and most importantly money. And once you do get that new or used car, keep your payments on time; this will help repair your credit rating over time and make you more appealing to lenders the next time you are looking to make an important purchase.

Author Bio: Dee Jurgens is the head copywriter for CyberLead, inc http://cyberleadinc.com specializing in auto sales leads http://www.carcredit.com delivering quality car loans for ten years http://myfreecreditscorenow.net Providing free credit scores for you and yours free credit score

Category: Automotive
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