Determining Which Auto Loan Works Best for You

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Purchasing a new car can be very daunting. It’s seen as a milestone in the purchasing life of any individual right next to the mortgage for a new house/apartment. It’s a commitment, that’s for sure. When you decide to go out and buy a car, you know it’s going to be a while before it’s fully paid off. In an effort to help out car buyers, Cars.com is looking to educate on car loans and how long should they be?

There’s a good piece of advice for buyers from the start, are you ready to buy? It’s a simple question and one that feels like it’s not asked enough before making such decisions. It’s important to know that you’re prepared from a savings point, that you are ready to make a financial sacrifice to maintain a healthy life-style and still manage to make car payments on time.

Now that we’ve determined that you are indeed ready for that car you’ve so wanted from the lot, now is the question of how long do you plan on having that car? The reasoning behind this question is to best determine the length that you should get on your loan. If you answered that you plan on replacing the vehicle, a shorter loan is the right one to look for. The resale value of a car falls quickly, meaning that what you owe can end up being more than the car is worth by the time you get to selling it or trading it in.

Having a shorter loan can loan can also help you pay less on your car. A shorter term loan both pays off the car faster and keeps the interest costs down. The problem that many may have from getting that short-term loan is that the monthly payments will be more expensive. While that might seem obvious to some, many also don’t think about how the interest rate may impact the overall price on a longer term loan. You may end up paying less monthly with the long-term loan but the interest rate is higher on those loans, meaning that the car may be more expensive in the long run.

Long-term loans work the best for people who have the income now, but are not certain of where they will be financially in the future. It’s recommend for people that fall into this category seek out getting the longest possible loan with the lowest rate. If you do this, you can pay of f the loan aggressively and should the worst happen with things like losing a job, you will still have leeway to work with.

It’s a tough choice, to pay more now to pay less later, or to deal with more interest but less payments. There’s pros and cons to either side and only you know your finances well enough to choose between. Still, it’s good to think ahead about these things when going into the dealership so you have knowledge of just what kind of loan would best suit you.

Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge would like to help you get that car loan you’re wanting. Contact us and see what we can do to help you get that short-term or long-term loan. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter of more information on the dealership and on car news!

Good Credit Habits

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We talk so much about what to do when you have bad credit, we don’t spend any time on what to do once you’ve achieved good credit.  You’ve fought your way back, your credit rating is on the up.  What do you do to either maintain it?  Here is some behaviors to keep in mind to keep that credit rating good.

  • Know Your Credit Score:

Yes, even with good credit, this is still important.  Don’t risk sliding back into bad behaviors, you can keep yourself in good standing by making certain that your credit report remains clear and good of any false reporting.  Errors happen, and you should get on top of it asap so it doesn’t have a negative impact.

  • Keep the Credit Card Companies Happy:

This is a two-parter.  First up, a method of doing this is by sticking to a ratio of 30 percent of your credit allotment.  Every month, make it a habit of only using your credit card(s) till the 30 percent mark and then back off.  People who consistently go over this part tend to get the credit card companies nervous.

Second, make sure that you use your credit card.  This may seem like talking out of both sides of the mouth, but the key word in this is to use the credit card and maintain it without going over 30 percent.  Being consistent with that ratio and paying it off every month will keep the credit card companies happy.

If you need help with purchasing a new or used vehicle, be sure to contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. If you need further assistance in finding financing for a new vehicle on bad credit, contact our financing department.  We love to say yes, you’re approved!   Be sure to like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

What to Consider Before Refinancing

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One topic that doesn’t get touched on often is refinancing. So much effort is put into simply receiving the necessary loans for acquiring the car that the next step is seen as so far away so little planning is put into it. Refinancing is something that should be ever present in the mind of a autobuyer, especially one that has bad credit and is using their auto loan to help improve their situation.

Now does seem like a good time to look into refinancing. Auto loans are at record lows. However, there are things that should be considered before jumping in. Ready yourself for refinancing by asking these useful questions, courtesy of Mariniji.com.

How is the interest compounded on your latest loan? As the article states, “If the old loan is based on precomputed interest, most of your payments are applied toward interest during the first half of the term of the loan with little effect to the principal balance. Namely, the amount you still owe the lender.”

Does the new loan lender charge processing fees?

Has your credit improved to get the advertised low rate from the lender?

There’s plenty more questions to consider when you’re looking to refinance a loan. Take a look at the full article for more information. If when you’re done looking over the numbers and find yourself able to refinance your loan, it’s a great time to do it.

If you’re looking for help getting an auto loan, contact a sales rep at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We operate in the Bayside Queens area of New York and work with customers to find the right new or used car to suit their lifestyle. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more tips and auto news.

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