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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more — so you can feel confident when investing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. If you want to , you must first arrange for . An auto loan is simply money you borrow to pay for the vehicle. Auto loan terms vary, so it is important to understand the process in order to get the best auto loan possible. What an auto loan is
An auto loan allows you to borrow money from a and use that money to purchase a car. You’ll have to repay the loan in fixed installments over a set period, and interest will be charged on the money you borrow. If you have a high , you may be able to , which will save you money over time. Your credit score also helps determine the initial loan amount and required down payment. Terms to know
Before shopping for an auto loan, familiarize yourself with these terms: Interest rate: This is the annual fee the lender assesses to borrow the funds needed to buy the vehicle. A higher credit score or shorter loan term generally equates to a lower interest rate. Annual percentage rate APR : The APR is the total borrowing cost of the loan, including the interest rate and other fees, expressed as an annual percentage. Down payment: You will pay this amount to the lender before taking out the loan, and it will be applied towards the total purchase price. The more you put down, the lower your monthly payments will be. Loan term: The loan term or repayment period is the window of time during which you’ll make payments on the auto loan. Principal: This is the amount you’re borrowing to purchase the vehicle, minus the interest and fees. The principal plus the down payment equals the cost of the car. Total cost of the loan: This figure includes the principal, interest and fees paid to acquire the vehicle. How auto loans work
Auto loans come in a few varieties, including , car loans from banks or and loans from online lenders. The type of loan that’s best for you depends on factors like your credit score, the loan amount and the vehicle you want. Dealer financing
Dealer financing is the easiest type of loan to get since you can do your . The dealer will likely check your credit. If you have a strong credit score, you may qualify for a promotional rate from the manufacturer if you go through a certified dealership. But tends to come with a higher interest rate. This is because dealers often or markup when they match you with financing from a bank or credit union. Bank or credit union auto loan
You can also apply for at a traditional bank or . The lender funds these loans, so you won’t have to go through a dealer. However, it may take more time than going through a dealership. Expect it to take at least one business day to get a loan from a bank or credit union, up to a week. Lenders often have a minimum and maximum loan amount, so be sure the lenders you’re looking into offer the amount you need for your . Online auto loan
You can also . These loans are often processed remotely, but the steps are similar to getting a car loan from a bank or credit union. It may take as little as one business day to get approved. How to compare auto loans
Similar to how you compare mortgages, the best way to is to look at the key costs — including interest rate, term and fees — along with the estimated monthly payment and the total payments over the loan term. Annual percentage rate APR
The APR is one of the most important numbers when deciding on a loan as it determines total borrowing costs. It’s based on your credit score, income and the term and amount of the loan. If you’re in the market for a longer-term loan or if your credit score is on the lower end, expect a higher interest rate. However, a shorter-term loan or higher credit score means you’ll likely have access to better rates. The lender will also factor in additional fees, so make sure you review the loan’s structure. Ideally, you want a lower APR to get a more affordable monthly payment and keep more money in your pocket. An APR just a few points higher could make the loan far more expensive. To illustrate, imagine you get a 48-month, $36,000 auto loan with a 6 percent interest rate. The monthly payment will be $845, and you’ll pay $4,582 in interest over the loan term. But if your rate is 8 percent, you’ll pay $879 per month and $6,186 in interest for the duration of the loan. Term
You have a set number of months to repay your auto loan. If you plan to purchase a new car and keep it for a long time, you’ll owe a lower monthly payment by taking out a — but you’ll pay more interest over time and be charged a higher interest rate. To save that money, take out a shorter term. Just make sure the payments are well within your budget. For example, a $25,000, 36-month loan with an interest rate of 5 percent will cost you $749 per month and $1,974 in interest. A loan for the same amount and interest rate with a 60-month term has a far lower monthly payment of $472, but the interest costs are $3,307 — a difference of $1,333. Fees
Think of your auto loan fees like any other fees you pay to purchase a car. The two main fees you need to review include the and the documentation fee. The origination fee is the amount you pay to secure the loan. The documentation fee will cover the lender’s costs for securing your loan. How to get an auto loan 4 steps
The key to securing an auto loan is to be prepared with your finances and to shop around for rates. You should also go to a dealership with a loan option. 1 Do your homework
Don’t wait until you’re ready to buy a car to learn about auto loans. Start with the basics, such as your and what your current financial situation looks like. Gain a good understanding of your budget to see . Check your credit reports: Non-mortgage debts and delinquencies are not the only factors that hurt your credit. Credit utilization rates of over 30 percent on your revolving accounts could also mean bad news for your score. Consider paying down delinquent accounts if possible, and you find on your credit reports. You should also research the average interest rate and monthly payments on car makes and models. Think about how long you plan to keep your car and whether works better for you. Bankrate tip: Use an online to estimate your monthly payments and available interest rates based on the car you’re considering and your credit profile. 2 Get preapproved
Preapproval involves filling out forms with banks, credit unions or online lenders to get an idea of the rates they can offer you. Getting preapproved for a loan before heading to the dealership gives you negotiating power. Consider if you’re struggling to get preapproved for an auto loan. They should have a good credit rating and steady source of income to give you the best chance at qualifying for a loan. Bankrate tip: When you apply for preapproval, you will often only have a shopping period of at least 30 days after. Use that time to find the car that best fits your needs. 3 Shop around
Once you’ve secured a loan, it’s time to shop around for a car. Use numbers you’ve been given — which include the interest rate, monthly payment, amount and loan term — to inform your comparison shopping. , it’s difficult to get out with anything below the sticker price, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to . Bankrate tip: As you look at vehicles, keep an eye out for salespeople who pressure you to make a deal that doesn’t serve you. Never be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. 4 Make the deal
The moment you find the car you want, ask for the dealer’s financing offer and compare it to the deals you’ve already locked down. Avoid being rushed when you’re signing paperwork and read everything you sign. Bankrate tip: Beware of you don’t need. You can often avoid them altogether or get them for much less outside the dealership. The bottom line
Simply, a car loan is an agreement between the lender and you, the borrower, allowing you to borrow money to purchase a vehicle over an agreed-upon term. While getting a car loan can be more complex than getting a , it is still possible to do it yourself and get a good deal. Learn more
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