Bad credit car loans are easier to get than ever before, thanks to the growing subprime loan market. Almost half of all car loans today are bad credit loans, in that they are made to borrowers with FICO scores below 620.
Bad Credit Buyers Beware
Bad credit car loans come with slightly higher interest rates, which mean higher profits for car dealers and unwary buyers may wind up spending more than they have to. NADA Chairman Charley Smith admits, We recognize that many consumers may not know that the interest rate may be negotiable or that the dealer may be compensated for obtaining financing.
This is one reason many experts recommend that car buyers use direct financing. This means getting a car loan directly from the lender instead of through the dealer. Not only can they find more competitive rates on bad credit car loans, they can avoid the hassle of going through a dealers high-pressure finance office.
The difference between the interest rate on new or used car loans does not vary that much because used vehicles dont depreciate as quickly as newer models. This makes them better short-term collateral for lenders. The average used car costs...