Car Payment Calculator in Paris, KY

An auto loan is a common method for financing a vehicle purchase. It is a contract between the borrower and the lender, where the borrower agrees to pay back the lender within a certain period. Every month, payments are made until the interest and principal are settled. The car acts as collateral for the loan, and any failure to repay the loan means the car could be repossessed.

Financing and Direct Lending

If you’re looking to finance a new auto purchase with a loan, you have two options for financing: a direct loan from a bank, credit union, or other lending institution, or financing arranged by a dealership. For the first type, a contract is arranged between the lending institution and the car dealer, and the loan pays for the car. If financing is arranged by the dealership, the main difference is that the loan is arranged at the dealership, so all arrangements take place at the same time the car is purchased.

When your car purchase is financed through a dealer, the funds usually come from lenders that are associated with the specific make of car. Although the contract may be arranged by the dealer, it can then be sold to a bank or financial institution, and this organization services the loan. The benefit of financing a car through direct lending is that you can gain pre-approval, and this gives you greater leverage when you walk into a dealership. This means the car dealer might need to provide a better rate, which you can compare with other dealerships.

If you opt for dealership financing, there are fewer choices and possibly less attractive interest rates available. However, dealership financing offers the convenience of arranging all the different elements of the purchase in one place, and Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris is well positioned to walk you through the different options available. Car manufacturers often present good financing options for dealers, and this means you shouldn’t discount the possibility that you could get the best deal with a dealership.

Rebates

When weighing the cost of a vehicle purchase, keep in mind the prospect for rebates on the purchase price. These are offered by car manufacturers as buyer incentives. This is usually the case for new cars only, although some dealerships might offer rebates for second-hand cars. There may be differences in sales tax according to the state where the purchase is made, as some states calculate sales tax on the purchase price before the rebate is made. Fortunately, in Kentucky, the sales tax is calculated on the post-rebate price of the car, which means at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, you’ll only pay tax on the final cost of the car. You may also be eligible to deduct the cost of the car as a business expense, which can further help you keep costs low.

Fees

Fees can add up when you’re buying a new car. Most of these fees can be added to the purchase, and these can be added to the amount that is being financed. Common fees to consider are as follows:

• Sales tax: In Kentucky, sales tax is six percent of the retail price of a vehicle.

• Document fees: These are collected by the dealership for processing documents, such as the vehicle title and registration.

• Title and registration fees: These are required by the state for issuing the vehicle title and registration.

• Advertising fees: These are the fees that are paid by the regional dealer where the manufacturer’s mobile is promoted. These can also be included in the price of the automobile.

• Destination fees: These fees pay for the shipment of the automobile from the supplier to the dealership.

• Insurance: You’ll need insurance before you can drive the car on public roads. In some cases, you can get short-term insurance from a dealership.

In many cases, these fees can be combined into the vehicle loan, but it is always a good idea to check which ones have been included and which have not.

Strategies for a Successful Auto Loan

Credit

Having a good credit rating is essential to be approved for a loan from both dealerships and direct lending institutions. If you have excellent credit, you can probably get a much lower interest rate, making the cost of the vehicle cheaper. Working on improving your credit score can help you secure the best deal.

Preparation

Being well prepared is the best way to be successful with auto financing. Knowing what you can afford and the type of vehicle you are looking for before you go to a dealership is a good place to start, or you can look online to see what’s available . Having several different quotes from financing institutions might be a useful contribution to the process. You can also think of various ways to discuss your options with the dealership.

Cash Back

Sometimes, you may have a choice between cashback or a vehicle rebate. If you’re given a cash rebate, the purchase price of the car is reduced, but you might get better savings over a longer period if you opt for lower interest rates. At Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, you may also get some money back through a vehicle exchange or part exchange.

Paying off the loan early

If you pay off your loan early, you can often make big savings on the interest over the loan lifetime. Sometimes, there are penalties built into the loan to compensate the lender if you choose to do this. It is a good idea to check whether this is the case.

Taking the time to make the best choice

Whatever you choose to do, it’s always worth getting the best advice and making sure that you have all your bases covered. Don’t go for the first offer you find. Taking the time to find the best deal is worth it in the end and makes driving away in your new vehicle a satisfying experience.