| #ffffff;" /> | | | | up on both options before deciding what is right for |
| It’s too bad many people don’t know | | | | you. Don’t let the car salesman decide for you |
| about how to get the best auto loans. Businesses | | | | and pressure you into something that isn’t what |
| make a lot of money on what consumers don’t | | | | you need or want. |
| know. These days no one has enough money that | | | | Loan calculators can be a big help. There are many on |
| they can afford to get locked into a bad loan. In this | | | | the internet, so be sure to find a reputable one. You |
| article I hope to be able to help you pick the right loan | | | | can experiment with several options, and using a |
| for you. | | | | calculator will help you understand the whole process |
| Just going to a car lot and asking them to put together | | | | a little better. |
| your loan for you is not the best way to do this. | | | | They will even help you figure out how much you can |
| Let’s start with that right away. Their job is to | | | | afford to pay for a car. You may think you can pay |
| sell you a car and whatever loan they can get you | | | | more than you really can. This little tool will give you a |
| that will achieve their purpose is the one they will try to | | | | reality check of sorts so that you do not get into a |
| get you to take. They want you to drive out with the | | | | deal that is over your head. |
| car today. | | | | So many people think they can afford more car than |
| You should negotiate your car loan before you make | | | | their budget allows and let it get them into credit and |
| the actual deal to buy the car. Many people think these | | | | debt trouble. Doing your homework ahead of time and |
| two things must occur simultaneously. Wrong. There | | | | having a little discipline to stay within your means will |
| are a lot of things you must decide before buying a | | | | keep you from having these problems. |
| car. One of those is how you are going to finance it, | | | | You can use that tool over and over again, until you |
| but let’s explore all of things you will need to | | | | are comfortable making the decisions you will need to |
| decide first. | | | | make when it comes time to negotiate with someone |
| Are you sure you know how much you can afford to | | | | for the purchase of your car. |
| pay for your new or used car? When you arrive at | | | | Remember, when you are the buyer, you are in |
| that figure, remember, you cannot spend all of what | | | | charge, not the seller. If you have done your |
| you can afford on the car payment. What I mean is | | | | homework, you know how much you can afford, what |
| this; say you can pay only $400 per month for your | | | | type of loan you want, what terms you need, and all |
| new or used car. That is your budget. How much of | | | | of the other details. It’s their job to sell you a |
| that goes to auto insurance? Subtract the cost of | | | | car that fits within the parameters you set. |
| insuring your car. How much do you have left? | | | | The bottom line is do not buy more car than you can |
| Now think about the interest on your car loan. How | | | | afford. Do not accept a car loan that is going to put |
| much of that will you be paying. You can estimate that | | | | you in a financial bind. Don’t agree to a car loan |
| based on the amount of car payment you are aiming | | | | just because the salesman tells you it’s the only |
| at. Now how much is left of the original $400 per | | | | one he can get you. Do your homework before you |
| month you allotted for your new car? | | | | choose the car. Too many people choose the car |
| If your budget for a new or used car was $400 per | | | | they want, then go out and try to find a way to afford |
| month, you really can’t agree to payments of | | | | it. That’s putting the cart before the horse and |
| more than about $250 per month. The other charges | | | | a sure way to get you into debt trouble. |
| and incidentals will bring you back up near the $400 | | | | I hope this helps you open your eyes and prepare for |
| mark you started with. | | | | a positive car buying experience. Buying a new car |
| Now, if you are looking at new cars, is buying or | | | | should be fun, just don’t let the fun turn into |
| leasing a better option for you? You will need to read | | | | worry down the road. |