Bad Credit Car Tips: Securing the Best Deal

Do you know that even with a bad credit score, you can still own your dream vehicle? When it comes to credit history, the impact it has on whether you will get your loan approved for your car or the interest you will incur when you make your car purchase is seen. Your credit history is a signal to lenders whether you can be trusted for a loan or not – a credit history and score has that power. However, bad credit should not be a barrier from getting your dream vehicle either by loan or by purchase. So, what tips or methods are there to allow you to purchase your dream car with ease even on bad credit? Let’s get started! How to Buy a Car With Bad Credit and $0 Down Get in Tune With Current Interest Rates Even with a bad credit score, nothing can stop you from getting informed on current vehicle loan rates. Doing your research makes it easy to know what to expect with your credit score. With a good credit score, it's much easier to get a good interest rate on a car loan. Unfortunately, this is not the case with a bad credit score. The lower your score, the higher your interest rate will be. It can even increase your interest rate by up to 50%! The price tag on your car, as well as the monthly interest rate on your vehicle, is affected by your credit score. So, the best thing to do in this situation to avoid an overcharge – because some lenders and dealers do so - is to know what is obtainable and make your bargains on that. Work on Your Credit One of the best advice you may receive is to work on your credit score. A bad credit score lowers your chances of buying a car on easier terms, so the best thing to do is plan ahead and work hard on improving your score before buying or loaning a car. A few things you can do are: Report and properly handle credit report errors Pay past due accounts Lower your credit utilization to no more than 30% Those strategies could go a long way in getting you better terms when you finally want to make your car purchase. Buy Only What You Can Afford This may seem obvious already, but a lot of us (even those with bad credit) still go for expensive cars. Going for an expensive car with a bad credit score does not play well for your credit report. Take a moment to look at your budget. What do you have left over when you pay your bills each month? That may give you a better picture of what you can afford. Check what car you can afford on your budget and keep to that no matter which flashy car catches your eye. Be Careful About Your Deals In simple words, watch out for scams and fraud. You might be surprised that persons with a low credit score are usually the most targeted for scams. While it is fun to buy a car, don't let yourself get swept up in all the excitement - stay focused and aware and don't fall prey to the tactics of scammers. You can "cross your Ts and dot your Is" by thoroughly perusing paperwork for loans that you are offered, especially ones that sound too good to be true. Get Your Dream Car - Even with Bad Credit - at Dan Cummins In conclusion, even if you have a bad credit score, you can get your dream car. You just need to do your research and shop around. Check out our huge line of new and used cars at Dan Cummins, where we treat you like family. At the end of the day, we care more about your satisfaction than our profit - so we're not like a typical car dealership. We're a trustworthy car dealership. We care about our customers and want to make your experience the best it can be. So come check us out. You can also browse used cars from brands you love here. In addition, we also sell car parts and accessories for a host of car brands. Ready to learn more? Click the button below or contact us at 877-661-2805. How to Buy a Car With Bad Credit and No Down Payment | Dan Cummins Auto Group - Louisville, KY

Are you looking at your credit score, discouraged, wondering how to buy a car with bad credit? Well, you’re not alone. Not everyone in this country has the best of credit scores or plenty of cash lying on the table. In fact, there are options out there to find an auto loan that’s meant for you. Here are some important facts to know before you start hunting for a car loan with a bad credit: Implications of Having a Low Credit Score Generally, lenders need to be confident that buyers will pay back the loan amount on time. That’s why they offer more perks to borrowers having excellent credit scores which are above 740.  This is because the score is a blanket indicator of risk, and for the bank, the lower the risk...the lower the rate. If your credit score falls below 640, you’re deemed to be a buyer with poor credit or a subprime buyer. In this case, interest rates will be higher because lenders set the annual percentage rate (or APR) based on risk.  If you haven't paid your bills on time or if you are maxing out all of your available credit lines, your credit score will decline.  The lower the score, the higher the rate. In addition, you may be more limited to your choice of vehicles you can buy with your bad credit score.  This all gets back to the aspect of risk.  The bank may limit the total amount you can borrow and try to align it with your budget.  This is a calculation of "Debt to Income," or DTI.  Here is an example of a DTI calculation: MONTHLY INCOME:  $4000 Total of Monthly Payment Obligations on Credit Report:  $1,700 Monthly Rent: $800 $4000/$2500 = .62 or 62% Debt to Income The lower the Debt to Income percentage, the lower the risk for the bank.  So income is just as important a factor in this equation as debt. How to Find Borrowing Success with Low Credit Scores When you want to know how to buy a car with bad credit, it’s important to know the small things you can do to improve your credit score as fast as possible. Taking six months to rebuild your credit score will strengthen your case but, this might not be possible because you need a car NOW. In this case, your options are: DOWN PAYMENT MONEY:  showing the lender that you have come to the borrowing table with several thousand dollars does several things.  Number one is that it let's the bank know that you are seriously invested in this auto loan with your own hard earned money.  They like this because it reduces the chances that you will let the car loan go to repossession.  Number two, is that it will lower the overall loan amount and get the payment more in line with your income and budget.  This is a key factor. INCOME SOURCES:  showing the bank that you make addition income is imperative.  Even if you have a side hustle, some lenders will accept proof in the form of bank statements showing the deposits.  But you must be able to prove to the bank that you make the money you say. CO-SIGNER:  So your credit is a 540 score and the bank has said "nope" to you borrowing money.  Getting a co-signer with a good credit score can move the declination to approval and still provide you with the credit rebuilding opportunity. Get a Hold of Your Credit Report Monitoring your credit score is key especially doing so well in advance of you making a major purchase.  In fact, you should check your credit score regularly on your own. There are various sources where you can gather this information from.  Before applying for the loan, you need to take time for corrective measures in order to improve the score. In order to run a credit check, you can rely on resources like TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian to provide your FICO which prepares scores based on your payment history and credit balances. So, a FICO score less than or equal to 580 represents poor credit while 695 is the average score that falls in the category of "good" borrowers. But, you need a report to get a hold on it. Hence, aim for a detailed report and see what factors may impact your scores. Have Reasonable Expectations Depending on your credit score, you may have to pay a rate of 12-15% while buyers with good credit standing need to pay a mere 5% as interest on their auto loan. When your credit score is subpar, you must set aside reasonable expectations. In fact, aim to buy a less costly car to accommodate a higher interest rate. Here, when ascertaining the amount of your monthly installments, don’t forget to add some room for expenses like fuel and insurance costs. In this case, if you are running on a tight budget, consider shopping for a used car instead. Shop Around for the Best Financing Deal After identifying potential models that you may purchase, your next target should be to find the best financing option. For this reason, it’s always prudent to have the dealer check with multiple lenders until they find you find the lowest rates possible. To start with, check online for the latest auto lending installment loan rates.  You also can google search some lenders and they normally publish some average loan rates on their sites.  You can also try to get a loan from a trusted dealership in your area. If your credit score is quite dicey, a dealer can intercede with lenders on your behalf. But before you proceed, lay your focus on annual percentage of the loan as it is given in the agreement. Where Can You Get Auto Loans With Bad Credit? It is a general misconception that people with a bad credit should settle for the first financing offer they get. Rather, you must get in talks with multiple lenders before going for an option. Well, your options include banks, dealer financial service groups, and car dealerships. Check them all to find the best rates and easiest loan terms. Once you’ve got the dealer and a loan that’s well within your financial capability, ensure a timely payment of this loan every month. Remember even a single delinquent payment can tarnish your credit ratings. So, be more diligent with repayments. In conclusion, bad credit doesn’t equal lost hopes of getting an auto loan. It’s better to get the facts together and do your homework. This will help you make informed decisions. Buy Your Dream Car Even With a Bad Credit Score Only at Dan Cummins! Want to learn more on how to buy a car with bad credit in Kentucky? Call our experts at Dan Cummins. Reach us at 877-661-2805 to discuss your needs. Can I Buy A Car With Bad Credit| Dan Cummins Chevrolet & Buick – Louisville, KY

You’re pulling into your driveway and you can feel it. Something deep within you that says your car won’t last long. But as you caress the dash of your cherished Chevrolet Silverado, you think, “I don’t know how to buy a car with bad credit.” If you think it's time to put your car out to pasture, read on to learn how you could buy a car with bad credit. Research What You Want Before you start going to dealerships you need to research the type of car you want. Are you looking for something like you had before? Or do you want to change things up? A good tip to use when figuring out how to buy a car with bad credit is to check out Consumer Reports. They have a lot of information on new and used cars. Plus, they often have reviews from other owners, so you’ll know what to expect with any make and model. Another great thing with Consumer Reports is that you can find out what others in your area paid. It's a great way to avoid sticker shock. “What if I want to buy a used car?” Try Kelly. The Kelly Blue Book, that is. Like its paper counterpart, the Kelly Blue Book website has a lot of information on used car prices. All you have to do is plug in the make, model, and condition of the car to get an estimate of its worth. Check Interest Rates One of the first things you should do is check the current interest rates on car loans. Then, when you have a solid number, check your credit score. By checking your credit score now, you’ll get to see where you are and where you should be. This will give you a better understanding of what kind of payments your credit score can snag you. The best part is that your credit score might not be as bad as you think. Oftentimes,  you might build up this scary number in your head, only to find out it’s not so bad. It might not be the best, but your credit score can always be improved. Get a Gas Card The best thing to do when figuring out how to buy a car with bad credit is to get a gas card. This might seem like silly advice, but it can work. Here is what you do: Apply for a gas card or any other card with a low spending limit. Then, use it to only to buy items you can afford, like gas. As you pay off the card each month, you’ll show you can make payments and raise your credit score. It’s a small life hack that can go a long way and shows dealerships that you're responsible with payments. Don’t Overspend Another great tip on how to buy a car with bad credit is don't overspend. It’s important that you keep your spending in check. Even if you’re not going to hop over to a dealership tomorrow, try not to rack up unneeded debt. The goal here is to keep your monthly bill payments affordable. That way when it is time to buy, you and your credit will be ready. Consider a Larger Down Payment By now you should have a decent idea of what you want and what it’s worth. If you have some time before you need a new car, start saving for a larger down payment. Bigger down payments mean a better interest rate and lower monthly payments. This would also be a good time to figure out what your “all-in” budget is. This is the highest amount of what you’re willing to pay. Go to Your Bank or Credit Union If you’ve crunched all the numbers and still don’t know what you can afford, get pre-approved. This means going to your bank or credit union to see the type of car loan they're willing to offer. The bonus of getting pre-approved is that you’ll get an even better idea of what you can afford. “Could I use USAA?” USAA is a great bank, and if you want to use them, why not? There’s just one thing to keep in mind. USAA has their own car buy services and are likely to recommend a car dealer from their list. If your dealer works with them, great. If not, just be sure to tell them who you're thinking of buying from. This will save you the hassle of getting calls from their dealer list. No, thank you. Speaking of dealers, you should also see what financing your dealer has to offer. It might shock you to know that dealers can sometimes have the best interest rate around. Read the Fine Print No matter where you get your car from, you need to read everything you sign. This ensures you know the kind of deal you're getting and won't be surprised later. This would also be a good time to check out any extended warranties your dealer might have for used cars. If you can afford it, a warranty for a used car could save you a lot of trouble later. Avoid Unneeded Extras Okay, you know what you want, how much it costs, and what you can afford. Now comes the hard part. What are you willing to give up? We know this is a hard question. One of the best things about owing cars is all the fun features that come with them. But when you’re dealing with bad credit, you may need to forgo heated luxuries seats for now. Keep in mind this is not forever. Whatever car you buy will serve you well, but it won’t be your last. There will be plenty of time for you to improve your credit score enough so you afford all the extras you want later. One thing you could do is use the “gas card” method from before. Only, instead of getting an affordable credit card, you’ll be getting an affordable car. This will do two things: 1) It will show the credit world at large that you can make payments. 2) It helps you build a solid relationship with a dealer you can trust. So, when you’re ready for an even better car, you’ll know exactly what dealer to go to. Buy a Car With Bad Credit from Dan Cummins Today! Dan Cummins is Kentucky’s newest Chrysler, Jeep ®, Dodge and RAM dealership! If you're wondering how to buy a car with bad credit, call Dan Cummins at 877-661-2805 or click below to get the new or used car of your dreams.  We are sure you’ll find what you’re looking for at our Paris, KY dealership! How to Buy a Car with Bad Credit | Dan Cummins Chevrolet & Buick