Car Refinance Loans – Is a Refinance Right for Me?

Car refinance loans can potentially offer significant monthly savings, but it’s important to understand that they might not be the ideal solution for everyone. Meeting a specific set of criteria is required to qualify for a car refinance loan, which includes factors like mileage, the remaining loan balance, the type of vehicle, and the original lender’s identity. Assuming you meet the eligibility criteria, refinancing your car may generate extra funds each month that can be directed towards other expenses. Car refinancing can grant greater flexibility and freedom to those who qualify.

 

Although everyone desires to save money, car refinance loans are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Generally, lenders solely offer refinancing to those who have an existing loan with a different lender. Therefore, it’s important to know your lender’s affiliates, as this could impact your eligibility. Refinancing lenders aim to attract new business, and some may have restrictions on commercial vehicles or those utilized for business purposes. Moreover, refinancing policies for certain types of vehicles may vary depending on the lender. By exploring various lenders, you can identify one that is suitable for your specific situation.

 

Car refinance loans typically have specific eligibility requirements, including low mileage, usually less than 160,000 miles, and a relatively new car, generally 13 years or newer. The loan amount remaining on the car is typically more important than the car’s value when it comes to refinancing. While knowing the car’s value can be helpful, it’s not mandatory to get it appraised to qualify for a refinance. The amount owed on the car is the key factor in determining potential savings. Lenders usually require a minimum of $7500 remaining on the loan, with some also having an upper limit. Owning $7500 or more generally falls within the ideal range for car refinance.

 

Using an online car refinancing calculator can help you assess if refinancing your car is the right choice. However, if you have less than a year left on your loan, refinancing may not be cost-effective and could end up costing you more. Therefore, it’s crucial to weigh your options carefully. The equity in your car is not a factor when refinancing; what matters is the outstanding loan amount and the duration of time required to pay it off.

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Used Cars for New Drivers

You’re a teenager. You want the best stuff, of course. When you start driving, you’ll likely want some flashy new thing that will turn heads and shine like a comet. Shining chrome, blazing bright paint job, and clear windows all blazing down the road might be dancing through your head.

But in reality, you should probably consider getting an older vehicle when you first start driving. Older cars might not look too impressive, but you should consider getting one. Here are a bunch of big reasons you should consider getting an older used vehicle when starting your driving career.

Older Cars Are Less of an Investment

Older cars require less responsibility than new cars. You are young. You don’t waste time futzing about cleanliness, paint jobs, interiors, etc. Your car is supposed to lead to freedom, not more work! With an old car, you’re free to treat your vehicle the way you want to treat it.

And, of course, drivers are always in danger of car accidents. Inexperienced drivers, in particular, often get themselves into trouble. Younger drivers tend to speed more often, and according to Herrman & Herrman, speeding is one of the top causes of negligent driving lawsuits.

Some Older Cars Are Actually Superior Vehicles

Some older cars put newer cars to shame. Gas mileage, for one thing, is sometimes much better in older models of cars (though it should be noted that some of these fuel efficient old cars can be less safe than newer gas guzzlers).

And sometimes, they just don’t make them like they used to. Lots of people are turning to older cars in the current economic climate, and many of those people are finding the older rides to be pretty sweet.

With an Older Car, You’ve Got Something to Experiment With

If you’re interested in car maintenance, older cars are absolutely the way to go. Older cars will give you countless opportunities to learn the inner working of automobiles, and you’ll be comfortable trying out new things that might damage the car. An older car can be like a sandbox. You wouldn’t want to mess around under the hood of a brand new car, but with an older car, you can dig in deep and do all sorts of experiments.

Additionally, older cars will show you firsthand the kind of wear and tear a car can go through. Unlike with a textbook, you’ll learn the unpredictable real world problems that happen to cars. An older will allow the opportunity to experience the vulnerability required to make a safe driver. Considering insurance, the possibility of an accident, and the room to gain experience all make a newer vehicle worth the wait.

Financing Options

Once you finish school and it’s time to purchase your first new ride, think about financing online with a company like OpenRoad Lending. There you can apply and get a loan decision in a couple of hours. After you are approved, you get a blank check to carry into any dealership in the US to purchase the vehicle. It’s fast, easy and there is no obligation to apply.

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Vehicle Refinancing – A Simple Process Leading to Great Savings

The concept of vehicle refinancing is one that has only been around for just over a decade.  It is an excellent way for auto loan customers to save a great deal of money over the length of the loan term.  The reason this option became available to car buyers is because dealerships have a tendency to markup interest rates that are charged to customers after they indicate a definite purchase of the vehicle.  The process of refinancing your car is a fairly simple process that is similar to refinancing a mortgage, if you have ever completed that process.  You fill out an application, provide details on your current lender and vehicle, and soon you will be on your way to lower payments and up to thousands of dollars in savings over the lifetime of the loan.

 

There are a few tips you need to know as you enter the vehicle refinance process.  The first and possibly most important is to locate the right lender. Most auto loan companies offer refinancing options, but you are looking for the best rates and most sufficient customer service.  Also, before you approach one company or another, gather all the information you will need to make the process go smoother.  Have your old contract on hand to have access to information like the lender name, current interest rate, payments and vehicle make, model and mileage.

 

Next, you need to determine the term length that is right for you.  Whether you are choosing to go through the vehicle refinancing process because you cannot afford your current payments or you simply want to decrease your interest rate, you can choose the perfect combination for you.  A longer term will mean lower monthly payments, but you will also end up paying more interest.  If you cannot afford your current payments, this may be the best option for you.

 

The next tip when preparing for the benefits of vehicle refinancing is to choose an ideal payment date.  Would the first or the middle of the month be better than the last day of the month, or is it the other way around?  Whatever the case, your lender will likely be willing to work with you on the date that your payments are due.  After a few more clicks of your mouse, you can be on your way to saving ten’s of dollars every month and hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the term of the loan.

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Avoid These DIY Mistakes When Working On Your Car

Car ownership and maintenance can be expensive and in a world of DIY books and “how to” videos on YouTube, many car enthusiasts enjoy the challenge of fixing faulty brakes or replacing the timing belt. If you have successfully done car repairs on your own, you may consider yourself lucky, but don’t assume you have a mechanic’s touch.

Even if your DIY repair is well-intentioned and managed to save you a couple hundred dollars, you could be increasing your risk of being involved in an accident. According to Marks & Harrison, Attorneys at Law, a vehicle that is improperly maintained or has a mechanical failure can cause a deadly car accident; not only could your DIY repair put your own life at risk, but could affect the lives of other motorists on the road.

Want to Fix Your Car? Don’t Make These Mistakes

While changing your oil or replacing your windshield wipers are easy to do and save you some money in the long run, for your own safety, there are some car repairs that are better left to the professionals:

  • Disregarding Safety: Auto mechanics make car repair look really easy, but that’s because they are trained (and you are not). One thing that is often overlooked about car repair is that it can be hazardous. In order to do their job well, and safely, mechanics use jack stands, wear protective eyewear, and even latex gloves to avoid exposure to chemicals. Unless your garage is equipped with all the proper safety gear and you know exactly what you’re handling (and how to handle or dispose of it properly), don’t make any major repairs.

 

  • Not Following the Owner’s Manual: Even though there are numerous videos and books available on car repairs, it’s always smart to refer to your owner’s manual. While there are many resources that can give you good general information, it’s important to know what type of fluid to put in your car or other specifics. Remember, not all cars require the same type of fluid or replacement parts (even models or years within a car brand can be different).

 

  • Ignoring Preventative Maintenance: Every car has a maintenance schedule and if you stick to it, your car continue running well for a long time. If you plan on changing your own oil, make sure you do it as scheduled otherwise you’ll run into a bigger and more expensive problem you may not be able to handle on your own.

 

  • Not Knowing Your Limitations: Car repair should never be a “learning experience”. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there are too many safety risks to yourself and others. If you’re just starting out, start small. For instance, if your brakes need replacing, but you’ve rarely used a car jack or removed the tires for anything but a flat, this is not a repair you should attempt on your own. Here are some other major repairs that are better left to a professional and stick to the stuff you’re confident with: replacing suspension parts, replacing a timing belt, repairing an overheated engine, dealing with a check engine light, fixing misaligned wheels, or transmission maintenance. Not only can these repairs be hazardous on the road, if done improperly, they may void any warranties if not performed by a professional mechanic.

 

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Auto Loan Refinancing – Another Choice to Save Money

Saving cash today is easier than it was in the past. Rates of interest are low and you can reduce your monthly payments by refinancing your car or truck. Auto refinancing will help you have a better monthly interest rate, improve the overall terms in which you repay your loan, and at very low or minimal fees. Most auto refinance loans are available for you to move the loan entirely to a different lender. Nevertheless the savings accumulate quickly. You should use the additional money to repay other debt or make a long awaited purchase. You will be surprised at how a small interest reduction will save you over the life of the loan.

In case you are paying on your vehicle loan a rate of interest which is absurd by today’s standards, automobile loan refinancing could be the road to suit your needs. Even with a bad credit score, you can get a better rate mainly because rates are lower today compared to where they were just recently, for poor credit. A good general guideline will be the 1% rule. With rates at the level they are now you should be able to save at least 1% from the rate you are paying now. Some customer are cutting their current auto loan rates in half. Even 1% may well not appear to be a lot, but over the long haul, it could make thousands of dollars difference.

The original loan must be with a different lender compared to the one you might be working together with for an auto refinance. Most lenders require you to have a mileage lower than 80,000 on the car or truck you are refinancing. Most all lenders will not do a car refinance loan on commercial vehicles, motorcycles, or business use cars. The auto refinance terms on the car are based on the number of car loan payments you have remaining to pay and the overall valuation on the vehicle you are refinancing. Most auto refinance companies will require a loan balance of at least $10,000 and usually will not do a refinance loan for more than $50,000.

The whole process of auto loan refinancing resembles that of a refinance you might do on your house. Do your research and find the lender that best suits you. Most companies are now offering refinancing options online and that is the easiest method to complete. No longer do you have to go into a bank or local credit union. Some companies allow you to complete the entire auto refinance process online in the comfort of your own home or place of work. Find the best deal. You might look for better rates of interest, low or no fees, and other benefits. Lenders may also offer gap coverage, which can be additional protection on your motor insurance. In just a few clicks you could be savings thousands of dollars on your car loan. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to give it a try?

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Car Financing for Any Budget

The need for everyone to own a vehicle today had never been great.Commutes to work are longer than ever and who can forget the taxi cab service we offer for our children shuffling them to and from school, sporting events and other after school activities. The good news is that everyone has an opportunity to get out there and get car financing that meets any budget, regardless of your credit history. Not everyone can purchase a vehicle on the cash basis, in fact, very few can. Fortunately, there are many lenders out there offering very aggressive pricing and administering loose underwriting guidelines where nearly everyone will qualify for car financing, and do so at very attractive rates.

Different from years past, lenders are finally looking to lend again.  Many lenders have softened the lending guidelines to allow nearly everyone to qualify for an auto loan today. To identify the best car loan for you, you need to locate a vehicle that will meet your budget. Do research and determine what vehicles fall within that budget and then determine the actual equipment you want on the vehicle. From there you will need to determine how much down payment you can afford to put down on the vehicle and then you have all the necessary tools to determine the price range you need to stay in. There are many online tools to helps determine monthly payments, rates and terms that are available.

Don’t go into this process with expectations of driving a Cadillac on the Chevrolet budget. It is not worth affecting your credit by getting into something you really cannot afford. Remember that there are many factors that determine your monthly payments from term, down payment and most importantly credit score. The lower your credit score the higher the interest you will be required to pay and in most cases, more down payment you will need to put down on the vehicle in order to obtain financing.

You should explore your options online with an online lender who offers car loans. Even if you have recently purchased a vehicle and think you paid too much, you can explore an auto refinance loan option. This allows you to refinance an existing loan and lower your existing payment with very little hassle and in most cases, it can be done in just a few minutes. Remember the factors above and you will be on the road to savings in no time.

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Getting the Loan You Can Afford

If you are like millions of people all over the world, then your financial state has probably been giving you a lot of worry. Even if you have a lot of money put away in the bank, you may be thinking now about worst case scenarios. The truth of the matter is that the future is very uncertain. People are unexpectedly losing their jobs, while others are finding that their expenses are outgrowing what they can afford. If you are in a position right now where you need to buy a car or you need to find a refinance car loan for the car you already are paying for, then you need to consider your credit score. Car loan credit is what really sets those who can get good loans apart from those who get the worst car loans with the highest interest. This is one case where you can take control if you know how to get started.

The importance of car loan credit cannot be overstated. If you have a bad credit score, you are going to end up with horrible payments amounts that are too high and interest rates that are astronomical. The reason is because in the eyes of a bank, you will not be a good bet. In other words, if you already have a history of being behind on payments and even neglecting some payments, the banks are not going to be so quick to give you a decent loan for a good car. They are going to make sure that you have as much cash as possible up front. This might seem unfair, especially to those who are just beginning their independent lives, but you should remember that a bank is not a charity, and they have to make smart financial decisions too.

Again, however, a bad car loan credit score does not have to crush your chances of owning your own car. As a matter of fact, you can go online right now and find a great website that will offer you the best deal when it comes to car loans. You will be able to have low interest rates and also be able to make lower monthly payments, even if you are less than satisfied with your credit score. The reason is that there are new opportunities opening up on the internet. If you want to make these opportunities work for you, you have to step up and take advantage of them today.

You should put your car loan credit behind you and go online and get a loan that you can actually afford to pay back. Not only will this allow you to work toward fully owning a car, but it will also allow you to get your credit score back up so that you can make big purchases in the future.

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Car Refinance Misconceptions You Should Know

When it comes to the world of car refinance, there are several misconceptions about refinancing that you should know. Refinancing a home has been around for years but many consumers do not realize that you can refinance a car loan the very same way but in a fraction of the time. Car refinancing can save you a considerable amount of money over the life of the loan and reduce those big car payments that are haunting you.


The first misconception is that you have to have perfect credit in order to qualify for a car refinance. Well that is just not true. Even if your credit is less than perfect, you can still qualify to lower your monthly payments with a car refinance loan. It does not matter what type of credit history you have, getting a car refinance loan has never been easier.


The second misconception is that you have to “start over” with a loan when you choose to refinance. That too, is incorrect. With OpenRoad Lending, you determine the term you want and from there, we will do the rest. Is your goal to reduce your monthly payments or simply reduce the amount of interest you pay on the car loan. The answer to that question will determine the path you should travel. You can keep the term the same as the remaining term left on your existing car loan or stretch it out and make a big impact on those payments… it’s up to you.


Finally, the biggest misconception of all is that by reducing your APR by one percent, your monthly payments are going to drop drastically. Well, reducing your current APR will make a difference in your monthly payments, however, extending term will make the biggest impact in your monthly payments.


Refinancing a car loan is an easy way to start reducing your monthly expenses and put more money in your pocket. Check out the useful tools available online at OpenRoad Lending where you can find car refinance payment calculators to determine just what your payments will be on your new loan and important information about your credit.

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Car Loans for Bad Credit – What Options Exist

Car Loans for Bad Credit – What Options Exist

Millions of Americans make the purchase of a new or used car every year. Some people are well enough off that they can lay down the entire payment of a car outright.  This is rare, however, and most people need to secure some form of financing for their car.  This automatically means that you will be paying interest on your loan because no lender will extend credit for free. Acquiring financing for your new or used car can be tricky, particularly if you are looking for a poor credit car loan which could be caused by defaulting on other debts or having recurring late payments.  In the eyes of a potential lender, customers with this kind of history are considered a risk.  However, if you are looking for a bad credit car loan, there may still be a few options for you.

Various loan companies offer deals with higher interest rates for those with poor credit.  This apparent backwards thinking is the lender’s way of ensuring they will still make money from a borrower even if they default on their debt later on.  However, if you take the time to search out lenders that are willing to work with your current credit situation, you may be able to obtain a more favorable rate on your loan.  By taking out a bad credit car loan and diligently making payments on it, you will be on your way to improving your credit score.

A litter further down the road, if your diligence pays off and you see a significantly improved credit score, you may be eligible for refinancing options that will allow you to secure a far more desirable interest rate.  The largest setback of a bad credit car loan is that it often requires a hefty down payment and runs for a longer term than standard loans, meaning you will end up paying much more for the car than it is actually worth.  This is why refinancing a year or two after opening the original bad credit auto loan is beneficial to you.

Another way to ensure you are approved for a bad credit car loan is if you have a co-signer help you obtain your financing.  The co-signer should have good credit and otherwise qualify for the loan.  This is risky for the co-signer, so be sure you do everything within your power to not let them down.  Seek out affordable cars so your loan amount can be less, helping you pay it off more quickly and with less interest.

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Credit Scores Fall to New Los

The credit scores of millions more Americans are sinking to new lows.

 

Data published by FICO show that 25.5% of consumers — nearly 43.4 million people — now have a credit score of 599 or below, marking them as poor risks for lenders. It’s unlikely they will be able to get credit cards, auto loans or mortgages under the tighter lending standards banks now use.  Because consumers relied so heavily on debt to fuel their spending in recent years, their restricted access to credit is one reason for the slow economic recovery. This includes credit for large ticket items like a mortgage, car loan or refinance car loan.

 

FICO’s latest analysis is based on consumer credit reports as of April. Its findings represent an increase of about 2.4 million people in the lowest credit score categories in the past two years. Before the Great Recession, scores on FICO’s 300-to-850 scale weren’t as volatile. Historically, just 15% of the 170 million consumers with active credit accounts, or 25.5 million people, fell below 599, according to data posted on Myfico.com.

 

More are likely to join their ranks. It can take several months before payment missteps actually drive down a credit score. The Labor Department says about 26 million people are out of work or underemployed, and millions more face foreclosure, which alone can chop 150 points off an individual’s score. Once the damage is done, it could be years before this group can restore their scores, even if they had strong credit histories in the past.

 

On the positive side, the number of consumers who have a top score of 800 or above has increased in recent years. At least in part, this reflects that more individuals have cut spending and paid down debt in response to the recession. Their ranks now stand at 17.9%, which is notably above the historical average of 13%, though down from 18.7% in April 2008 before the market meltdown.

 

There’s also been a notable shift in the important range of people with moderate credit, those with scores between 650 and 699. The new data shows that this group comprised 11.9% of scores. This is down only marginally from 12% in 2008, but reflects a drop of roughly 5.3 million people from its historical average of 15%.

 

If you are in the market for a new or used car or in the market to lower your existing car loan payments, go online to OpenRoad Lending. There you can find informative information about car financing and refinancing.

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