Thursday, October 23, 2008

Auto Financing Online

More and more consumers are getting their auto financing online instead of from the dealerships where they buy their vehicles. Getting auto financing from a dealership has some benefits:

• Convenience – vehicles and financing are in one place and the dealer is motivated to find financing for buyers, no matter their circumstances.

• More options – a dealer’s relationships with a variety of banks and finance companies mean they can offer a range of loans to fit a buyer’s credit rating.

• Special programs – sometimes dealers can offer manufacturer-sponsored, low-rate programs, but usually only to people with good credit.

But getting auto financing online offers even more advantages:

• Certainty – buyers know how much they can spend before setting foot on a dealer’s lot.

• Clout – buyers with financing in hand are treated like cash customers and are in a stronger negotiating position.

• Cash savings – because of competition, online buyers often get the lowest interest rate possible for someone with their credit rating.

• Calmness – buyers aren’t subjected to the high-pressure tactics of a dealer’s finance department.

Shopping for your financing first can save you a lot of headaches. If you know how much money you’re qualified to borrow, you can limit your search to a vehicle you’ll actually be able to afford. Why set your heart on a Hummer when your checkbook says Hyundai.

Play it safe
Due to advances in Internet security, online financial transactions are for the most part safe and secure. Still, The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice regarding online transactions:

• Use a secure browser - software that encrypts or scrambles the purchase information you send over the Internet - to help guard the security of your information as it is transmitted to a website. Be sure your browser has the most up-to-date encryption capabilities by using the latest version available from the manufacturer.

• Check the site's privacy policy, before you provide any personal financial information to a website. In particular, determine how the information will be used or shared with others. Also check the site's statements about the security provided for your information.

• Keep your personal information private. Don't disclose your personal information - your address, telephone number, Social Security number, bank account number or e-mail address - unless you know who's collecting the information, why they're collecting it and how they'll use it.

• Give payment information only to businesses you know and trust, and only when and where it is appropriate - like an order form. Never give your password to anyone online, even your Internet service provider.

A prime example of auto financing online at its simplest is www.best-autoloans.com. Visitors to the site can fill out a simple app, which is instantly submitted to reputable dealers in their area. The one with the winning offer contacts the applicant with a pre-approved loan amount, usually within a few hours. The loan quotes are free and the inquirer is under no obligation to accept the offer.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Auto Loans : Top 5 Tips For The Best Rate

You've got your eye on that shiny new Lexus - okay, maybe it's a Kia, but it's perfect and you want it to be yours, all yours - as soon as possible. At the same time, you certainly don't want to be saddled with paying nearly double the car's value by the time you finish paying off the car loan. Here are five tips to help you get the best possible interest rate on an auto loan to put the car of your dreams in your driveway.

1. Check your credit rating.
If you don't already know what's in your credit report, this is a good time to find out. Before you apply for an auto loan, get a copy of your credit report to find out what surprises may be lurking in it. You may just find out that it contains erroneous information that should be corrected, or that there's something negative on it that can be either explained away or fixed easily with a couple of phone calls or letters. Either way, it always helps to know what the credit reporting agencies are saying about you before you start shopping around for a loan.

2. If you have good to excellent credit...
...then you may qualify for special incentive financing available through the car dealer. If the car dealer is offering a low, low finance rate, check all the terms and conditions carefully BEFOREHAND online to make sure that you qualify. Most often, that 1% financing rate is reserved for those who have excellent credit and can afford to do a 12 month financing plan. If that's you - then grab the deal. 1-2% financing is a bargain if you can handle the other terms and conditions attached.

3. If you need a longer term than 12 months or have spotty credit...
...arrange your financing yourself before setting foot on the car lot. Check with your usual bank for a new auto loan first, as they may have better interest rates for those who are already established customers, or who carry all their savings, checkings and loan accounts through one bank. It may save you a few percentage points in interest to do business with someone who already knows you.

4. Shop online for the best auto loan available.
At many online credit web sites, you can submit a request for multiple quotes from area finance agencies and lending firms. Simply submit your request for an auto loan quote through an online form, and the web site will submit it to up to four financing firms at once. A representative from each agency will contact you within a few hours to a day or two to discuss your request with you and give you a quote for an interest rate and monthly payment amount that they can offer you. Online shopping for credit makes it easy to compare and pick the best auto loan terms for you.

5. If your credit is bad but you need that car...
...one of your best and most often overlooked options is to find someone to cosign the loan for you. In most cases, when you have a cosigner, you'll get the interest rate that THEY qualify for, which means a lower monthly payment for you.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Auto Loans

A car loans is a type of secured loans which the borrower pledges some asset (e.g. a car or property) as collateral for the loan.

Auto or Car loan is a very common type of debt instrument, used by many individuals to purchase Car. In this arrangement, the money is used to purchase the automobile. The financial institution, however, is given security - a lien on the title to the car- until the is paid off in full. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the bank would have the legal right to repossess the house and sell it, to recover sums owing to it.

In some instances, a loan taken out to purchase a new or used car may be secured by the car, in much the same way as a mortgage is secured by housing. The duration of the loan period is considerably shorter - often corresponding to the useful life of the car. There are two types of auto loans, direct and indirect. A direct auto loan is where a bank gives the loan directly to a consumer. An indirect auto loan is where a car dealership acts as an intermediary between the bank or financial institution and the consumer.

A type of loan especially used in limited partnership agreements is the recourse note.