Important Factors In Choosing the Right Loan to Purchase a New Car

By  //  February 3, 2021

In today’s fast-paced world and endless commitments, reliable transportation has become a necessity. While it is affordable, public transportation is not always the best option. Besides the fact that being on time is no guarantee, general hygiene and cleanliness in public transport are highly questionable.

Besides, if you are using public transportation, you are committed to its schedule along with yours; if you miss your ride, you’re in deep trouble. Having your own car will allow you to travel with your comfort and convenience. You will also not have to worry about the endless health risks and crowdedness in closed and small spaces.

However, we understand that not everyone can easily afford to purchase a car, and this is why considering a car loan can be particularly helpful in such a situation. There are many car loan options that you can choose from, so you can select one that best suits your financial situation.

However, most people don’t really understand and consider their options, and rush to make their large purchases. Often, this leaves them in financial trouble, debts, commitments that they can’t meet, and interferes with other goals and aspects of their lives.

Therefore, selecting your car loan is just as, if not more, important as choosing your new car. In this article, you will understand important factors for choosing the right loan to purchase a new car.

Personal Loan vs. Car Loan

The most common financing options for making a car purchase are personal loans and car loans. Both options are relatively easily accessible and obtainable as long as you meet each of their lending requirements.

Personal loans are designed for a variety of financing purposes, while car loans are supposed to help you finance car purchases in particular. The first factor you must consider when choosing a loan to purchase your car is choosing between personal and car loans.

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, making the selection process more confusing. The information below will help you choose by breaking both options down for you.

Personal Loan

If a borrower decides to take a personal loan, it means that a lending institution, typically a bank, will provide them with a lump sum of money to use for their liking. Personal loans can be used for home renovations, vacations, purchasing a car, financing a wedding, education, and many other purposes.

Personal loans are a liability, meaning that they are secured against belongings of value like homes or cars. It gives the lender the right to seize your assets to recover the losses if you don’t repay your loan. However, there is an option of an unsecured loan. Unsecured loans don’t require collaterals and can be approved based on your creditworthiness.

Credit Scores and Interest Rates

The interest rate and loan term are two key factors that will affect or determine the repayment amount. You can use a personal loan calculator to determine how they will affect the amount of money you will pay each month.

Unsecured loans usually come with higher interest rates than secured loans with collateral. Additionally, unsecured loans require harder and stricter approval requirements. For instance, an excellent credit score is of great importance. If you have a poor credit score, you may want to consider other loan options.

Your credit score will not only influence your loan type, but it will also influence the loan amount and the interest rate. Loaning capacities increase, and interest rates decrease as the credit score improves.

Borrowers with poor credit scores will get the worst deals with low loaning capacities and high-interest rates. In conclusion, personal loans are great because they don’t put restrictions on what you spend your money on and are flexible in terms of payment structure.

However, their interest rates are likely to be higher than other options, have harder approval requirements, and anyone with a low credit score may not be eligible to take out this type of loan. Still, you should nonetheless contact the loaner and ask just to make sure.

Terms of Personal Loans

A repayment period that is stated in months is part of the terms of a personal loan. Although borrowers pay a lower amount of money each month over longer loan terms, more interest will be paid in such cases.

Therefore, this means that a shorter loan term suggests higher monthly payments but less overall interest because the principal amount of money will be paid faster in shorter loan terms than in longer ones.

Car Loans

The collateral for a car loan is the vehicle that you choose to purchase because car loans are strictly meant to purchase a vehicle. If you fail to pay off your car loan, the lender has the right to seize your vehicle. A car loan is paid off in fixed installments throughout the lending period. Car loans are similar to mortgages in the aspect that the lender retains ownership over your vehicle until you make your final payment.

Interest Rates

You can use an auto loan calculator to determine the interest rate and loan term that is most suitable for your financial situation. Because a lender is the respective owner of your vehicle until the final payment is made, a car loan is secured.

Car loans offer significantly lower interest rates because the debt is typically a lower risk. Besides, the interest rates are fixed, making borrowers irresponsible for increases that may occur with unsecured personal loans.

To conclude, car loans usually come with lower interest rates and are easy to obtain with an average credit history. They also offer immediate financing solutions. A disadvantage of car loans is that you don’t have ownership of your car until you pay off your loan. You also need to make an upfront deposit to secure the loan.

Terms of Car Loans

Like personal loans, a car loan repayment period is stated in months. The shorter the loaning term also suggests a higher monthly repayment, and the opposite is true. Unlike a personal loan, an average or less-than-average credit score will suffice.

Your credit score will also not significantly impact your borrowing amount nor the interest rate. Rather, the price of your car is what determines these factors. There are many ways in which you can get a car loan. Besides the typical dealer loan, you can explore your local bank or a credit union for better deals.

Personal loans and car loans and their rates and deals depending on the institution that you settle on. It is best to learn everything you need to know regarding several institutions before selecting one.

Check out various lending options for the best deals and the most suitable combination of interest rates, loaning capacity, monthly payment, and loan length. Throughout this article, it is assumed that you decided on taking a car loan.

The Right Credit Score

Although credit scores are more lenient when it comes to car loans, they are still an important factor in determining the type of loan you will receive. Whether you refer to a bank, car dealership, or an auto loan lender, the rate of the loan will depend on your credit score.

You should also be aware that not all lenders use the same scoring system, which is why you should know which scores your lenders will be used to determine the reports you should request.

Time Spans

Typically, credit scores slightly decrease every time a lender checks the credit history. To reduce the negative impact, try to keep your application process within 14 days. The Fair Isaac Corporation scoring shopping period is two weeks; this includes all inquiries made during that period considered just one inquiry, reducing their impact on your score.

Pre-approval

If you have a bank or lender’s financing offer before you go to your car dealership, this is the best way to go. A pre-approved loan will guarantee that you will be able to cover the costs of your desired car. It also instantly makes you a ‘cash buyer,’ giving you more leverage and putting you in a stronger position to negotiate. Credit unions, banks, and online lenders allow you to get pre-approved for your car loan.

Dealership Financing

You should consider and understand dealership financing before finalizing a deal, as they usually make it sound like they have the best features and options. Some offers usually come with 0% financing and large cashback rebates; this significantly reduces the total amount of your loan, making them appear very attractive options.

However, you must always keep in mind that the best offers are reserved for the highest qualified buyers. You will probably not qualify for these attractive offers if you have a negative credit history, a low FICO score, or no proof of your credit history. In such a case, you may have to refer to a private party auto loan. It’s important to shop around different dealerships and not accept the first offer on the table.

Budgets and Car Loans

When you are selecting a car loan, it is very important to know your budget. Knowing what you can afford and understanding your capabilities will save you from committing to a loan and putting yourself under unavoidable financial strain.

Choose a car that you can afford and know its exact costs. It is also recommended that you ask about fuel costs, repair, spare parts costs, servicing costs, and registration. A car is a continuous investment and requires constant maintenance; it’s not just a one-time purchase, so these factors must be considered for the long-term.

Based on your budget and the costs you have determined, you should settle on a loan type. Fixed-rate loans are the best option for you if you’re on a tight budget. If you would rather have a potentially great return in exchange for a small budget risk, consider a variable rate loan.

As previously discussed, you will also need to compare the pros and cons of secured and unsecured loans to determine which one suits your financial needs. The type of loan that you select will also be determined by whether the car you intend to purchase is new or used. There are several loans designed specifically for either type of purchase.

Choosing a Lender

Aside from the loan type, each lender comes with its pros and cons too. Choosing a car lender is just as important as choosing a car loan. To find the right car loan lender, you must consider if you will be able to make extra payments on your loan or make a full payout of your loan early without penalty.

You must also ask about the interest rates and whether you are allowed to choose your repayment period. Ask about any additional fees and how long it will take for you to be approved for the loan. These features differ from one lender to another, which is why you should explore your best options.

Obtaining a Car Loan

Before you sign your loan contract, you must ensure that you have all the necessary and required documentation. The process will be much quicker if you show up prepared from the start. Ask your lender what documentation is required to sign off the contract.

In most cases, lenders require credit history information, proof of income, and identification. Compulsory Third Party, or CTP insurance, is the most important type of insurance that you will need. Moreover, getting car insurance is also important to ensure your security, as well as your car’s. You can also explore the option of taking out insurance on the loan itself.

Purchasing a car has become a necessity in most societies. However, a car is one of the largest purchases you’ll ever have to make. Therefore, you need to put a lot of thought into the process, especially if you are on a tight budget.

Luckily, there are different means of lending options that you can choose from to help you make this process easier. Selecting the right loan to purchase a car is not an easy task as there are many factors to consider. So, choose wisely to avoid repercussions later.