car payment

Should I Take the Zero-Percent Financing Offered by the Dealer?

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Mercedes Benz Car Show Room Floor.

Q: I’m in the market for a new set of wheels, and I’ve seen some dealers advertising zero-percent financing. Should I take this offer?

A: An auto loan without any interest sounds like a dream; however, there are many considerations before deciding to take out a zero-percent financing loan. Let’s take a closer look at zero-percent financing so you can make an informed, responsible decision about your auto loan.

What is zero-percent financing?

An auto loan offer of zero-percent financing means the dealer financer is offering to lend the buyer money without charging any interest over the life of the loan.

With traditional loans, the lender is willing to extend money to the buyer because the lender will reap the benefits of the interest payments over the life of the loan. A zero-percent car loan, though, offers no reward for the lender. In fact, the loan is actually being offered by the auto manufacturer. The automaker stands to benefit from the loan as much as it would from an upfront cash payment for one of its cars. The only difference is that the money is earned over a longer time span. Automakers may offer zero-percent financing on slower-selling models or to help clear out stale inventory to make room for newer models.

Can anyone qualify for zero-percent financing? 

Zero-percent financing may be heavily advertised, but it can be difficult to qualify for one of these loans. They are typically only offered to buyers who have excellent credit, including a credit score above 700 and a long credit history. These buyers are more likely to make every payment on time and they may even pay off the loan early, making it low risk and profitable for the automaker.

It’s also important to note that not everyone can afford to take out a zero-percent financing loan. Since the lenders are only profiting from the actual sale on these loans, they will rarely agree to bargain down the price, nor do they offer any other incentives, such as cash-back rebates.

When is zero-percent financing a good idea?

For buyers who qualify, a zero-percent financing loan may be a way to save on steep interest payments throughout the life of an auto loan. A buyer can easily save several thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of a zero-financing loan.

It is crucial that qualifying buyers crunch the numbers to be sure they can easily afford the monthly payments on a zero-interest loan. If all the numbers add up and the buyer’s credit makes the cut, a zero-interest loan can be a great way to save money on a new set of wheels.

When is zero-percent financing a bad idea

Zero-percent financing may not be in the best interest of buyers who can’t actually afford the loan. As mentioned, lenders generally will not bring down the price on a car with a zero-percent financing offer. Buyers may be blinded by the temptation of not paying any interest and therefore consider a vehicle that has a higher monthly price tag than they originally planned.

Another point to consider before committing to a zero-down financing loan is the term of the loan. Some of these loans feature longer terms than traditional auto loans, as much as six years. Six years is a long time to be paying for a car. The buyer’s auto needs may change before then and they won’t own the car for a year longer than they would have through a traditional loan. On the flip side, lots of zero-percent financing loans are only four years long, which can significantly increase the monthly payment amount.

Even if the loan terms do meet the buyer’s needs, it still may be worthwhile to skip the zero-percent financing and take out a traditional loan so the buyer will not miss out on cash-back rebates. These are typically not available on auto loans with special financing offers, and can mean missing out on robust incentives.

Let’s take a look at the purchase of a single car and run it through both kinds of loans.

A car is selling for $20,000 with the offer of a zero-percent financing loan that needs to be paid off in four years. Monthly payments on this loan will amount to $416.

Alternatively, the buyer can consider a traditional loan for the same car. An auto loan furnished by a credit union at the average national rate according to data extracted by the NCUA would give the loan an annual percentage rate (APR) of 3.45 percent. Over five years, this would amount to a monthly payment of $363.

In addition, with a traditional loan, the buyer can take advantage of manufacturer rebates. If this car would have an offer of a $2,500 cash-back rebate, its price would drop to $17,500. Through a loan with an APR of 3.45 percent, the monthly payments would only be $318. The total amount paid on the car would also be less than the amount paid through the no-interest loan, at $19,080.

If the buyer chose to take out a loan through a bank, with auto loan APRs averaging at 5.10 percent, the monthly payments (without the manufacturer’s rebate) would be $378. If the manufacturer offered a rebate, that amount would fall to $331 a month.

Evidently, when there is a shorter loan term involved, it is not always worthwhile to take out a zero-percent financing auto loan.

If the offer does not feature a shorter loan term, the difference between scenarios wouldn’t be as dramatic. A five-year loan on $20,000 with zero interest would cost the buyer $333 each month, only $15 more than the traditional loan through a credit union after the rebate; however, a five-year loan term may not be an option on a no-interest loan. Also, when you take out a loan through , you’ll enjoy personalized service and zero pressure to make a decision.

It’s best to run your own numbers through a free auto loan calculator to see what your actual monthly payment would be before taking on a loan. It’s the best way to determine if you can afford the payments without overextending your budget.

If you’re ready to get started on your auto loan, stop by today to get started. We’ll have you seated behind your new set of wheels in no time! Below you will find some links to our page for our Auto Loans.

Auto Loans Vehicle Search

Your Turn: Have you chosen to forego a zero-percent financing option? Tell us about it in the comments.

Car Buying Tips

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If you have great credit, getting a car loan at a great rate is no problem. In tight credit markets, some buyers with less than stellar credit may have trouble getting a loan at a reasonable rate.

There are lots of ways to finance your car, even without the best credit, but be careful — these may cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Check your Credit Union’s rates first!

No matter what your credit score, chances are we can offer you a better rate because we are not-for-profit and owned by you, our members.

Do your research

You will most likely pay more for your vehicle if you go into a dealer not armed with information about the vehicle you are interested in purchasing. Make sure you do the research and know how much you should be paying for your new or used vehicle. The internet has made it easy to get this information — just go to the AutoSmart section of our website to get started.

Get Pre-Approved

Apply for your loan to see exactly how much you can afford before you go shopping for your car.  You’ll know exactly what your credit score is and what rate you qualify for through this process. You can then make your best cash deal. Apply online and simply leave the make and model information
blank or write in “pre-approval.”  If you already have your financing in place, beware of a dealer scam involving getting you to fill out a credit application, even though you are not applying for credit. They claim it is required by the “Patriot Act,” but it is not. This is an attempt to run your credit to try and get you into the dealer financing.

Beware of “Choose Your Payment”

Many dealers are now offering to let you choose your payment. While this may seem like a good idea on the surface, all it really does is extend the term of your loan, costing you thousands in extra interest and leaving you with a car that is worth far less than you owe on the loan. As an example, a $20,000 car financed at 7% APR for 5 years will run you $396 per month and you will have paid at total of $3,763 in interest by the time it is paid off. Taking that same loan, and choosing a payment of $250, you will be paying the loan for 9 years and will have paid over $7,000 in interest! If you can only afford a payment of $250, choose a car that fits your budget, instead of choosing a payment on a more expensive car.

Low Rate Financing vs. Taking a Rebate

It is generally better to negotiate the best cash price, take the rebate, apply it to the principal balance of your loan and finance at the best possible rate outside of the dealer. If you run the numbers, you’ll usually find you save money this way.

Purchasing GAP Insurance

If you put less than 20% down on your new vehicle, you may want to consider GAP insurance. The minute you drive a new car off of the lot, the value depreciates significantly. If your car is stolen or totaled in an accident, you may find you owe more on the car than the insurance is willing to pay you.
Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance makes up the difference.  Don’t just take what the dealer offers you though! Check around because you can usually get the policy less expensively elsewhere (such as your credit union).

Extended Warranties

You may want an extended warranty on your vehicle, especially if you have trouble coming up with the funds to repair it on your own. However, beware of the dealer “requiring” the warranty in order to get the loan. Some unscrupulous dealers will tell you that in order to sell the product. Most likely, you will pay less for a warranty if you purchase it through the Credit Union. It’s a choice, not a requirement!

If you have questions throughout the car buying process, call Destinations Credit Union.  We’re here to help you get the best possible deal.

Long-Term Planning And Your Auto Loan: How Destinations Credit Union Can Help You Save

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If you’re thinking about buying a new car, you know that the best time is rapidly approaching. The end of the model year means car prices on current year vehicles will never be lower. That means now is your chance to grab a new car for the lowest possible price.

If you’re a savvy enough consumer to wait until dealers are desperate to sell, you owe it to yourself to wait just a little bit longer to do your research on financing options. Don’t be fooled by dealer promises of zero percent financing. Let’s take a look at three hidden costs that come with these advertised low rates. 

  1. You may not qualify for zero percent financing. Car commercials don’t talk about the fine print, but dealers place a pile of restrictions on zero percent financing. If your history with credit is anything less than perfect, don’t expect to qualify for these rates. Roughly 60% of people who apply for those loans get rejected. 
  2. These loans are usually short-term. If the dealer is offering zero percent financing over the life of the loan, expect it to be no more than 3 years. This means a much higher payment than you’d have on a 5- or 7-year loan. Additionally, many zero percent financing offers only cover part of the life of the loan – usually 6 months. After that, you’ll be paying more in interest.
  3. Most importantly, choosing zero percent financing will usually prevent you from taking advantage of other discount options. Zero percent financing is offered instead of manufacturer rebates and other discounts. Also, these financing packages are usually incompatible with special discount programs like Ford’s Friends and Family package.

This last hiccup can mean zero percent financing is actually more expensive than a loan obtained through a private lender, like Destinations Credit Union. To see this effect, let’s take a look at some numbers. We’ll assume that you’re paying $20,000 for a car. You’re presented with two choices. You can take 0% financing on a 3-year loan or you can get 1.74% APR* on a 5-year loan from Destinations Credit Union, plus a $2,000 rebate. Let’s see how those options break down.

 
If you take the 0% financing option, your monthly payment will be $555. Assuming no other fees or problems, you’ll pay $20,000 over the lifetime of the loan. Your payments will be higher, and if you can’t make one of them, you’ll be paying more in interest next month (in addition to all the months that follow).
If you take the rebate and reduce the cost of the car to $18,000, your monthly payment will be $314 for a 5-year loan at the credit union – a much more reasonable amount. Over the lifetime of the loan, you’ll pay a total of $18,808. That means you will save $1,192 and have a lower car payment.

Even if it’s not incompatible with cash back incentives and other rebates, having outside funding lined up before you go to the dealership can be a tremendous advantage in negotiating. By continually postponing questions of financing, you can let the dealer think there’s still money to be made. This position might lead them to give you more on your trade-in, lower the price of the car or offer you more options.

The loan you get to pay for your car may be the biggest financial decision you make outside of your home. You owe it to yourself to do your research and treat this momentous decision with diligence. You wouldn’t buy a car just because it had an enticing price tag. Why would you do that with a loan?

Remember, dealerships make money from financing. They want you to finance your car through them, because it’s one more way for them to profit from the sale. It’s also one more piece of information they can use to manipulate the total price of the car in their favor. You can take that power away from them by doing your research on car financing.

If you’re considering buying a new car, your first call shouldn’t be to the dealership. It should be to Destinations Credit Union. Our professional staff can answer any questions you might have about auto loans and other options to finance your new car. Buying a car is one situation in which that old cliche` “knowledge is power” really is true. Take the time to educate yourself about your vehicle financing options (visit the AutoSmart section of our website to help with your research). Your wallet will thank you for it! Call Destinations Credit Union today. 

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate.  Rates may be higher based on credit history.

 


3 Financial Decisions To Make Before Interest Rates Start To Climb

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By all indications, interest rates are headed back up. Every economic indicator, from employment reports to bond market performance, points in this direction. If you’ve been watching financial news shows, you’ve definitely heard this prediction. Yet to most observers, it’s somewhat abstract and far away. Sure, interest rates are going up; so what? And when?

You’ve no doubt heard that if you’re thinking about refinancing your home or buying a new one, now is the key time. That’s true, but that’s not the whole story. Here are three other financial decisions that can save you money in the long run if you make them soon.

1.) Consolidating your unsecured debt

  

If you’re carrying unsecured debt (credit cards, personal loans, or payday loans), you might find yourself paying a lot more soon. Don’t assume you are locked into your current rate. Most often, these kinds of debts use an adjustable interest rate. How much it costs to service your credit card debt is determined, among other factors, by the prime rate as set by the Federal Reserve. As the interest rates that the central bank charges other financial institutions rise, the rate your credit card provider charges you will probably also rise. (Note:  Destinations Credit Union’s MasterCard is a fixed interest rate, meaning it will not go up automatically when rates rise.)

If you owe $7,000 on your credit cards (the American household average), a one percent change in the interest rate would mean an increase of $70 to your balance every month. That could mean an increase of as much as $15 on minimum monthly payments. That’s a tough hit, and it will also just make it harder to dig yourself out of debt trouble.

It’s best to pay off this debt as quickly as possible. If you have a large balance, though, consider a debt consolidation loan. These loans have fixed interest rates, so your debt won’t get more expensive in response to changes in the economy. Working with a representative from your Destinations Credit Union can keep this cost from consuming a bigger portion of your budget.

2.) Buying a new car

  

If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your personal transportation or getting another vehicle for a new driver, the coming interest rate rise might be the final push you need. The rates that lenders can offer on car loans are influenced by the prime rate, too. An increase in the prime rate means car loans are going to get more expensive, thus decreasing your buying power.

  

For a $20,000 car, a one percent increase in interest rates means paying $10 more a month on a 5-year car loan. It means paying $400 more over the lifetime of the loan. That’s a direct decrease in the amount of car you can afford. Worse yet, dealerships may run promotions promising no interest financing for a portion of the loan. These promotions almost always revert to an adjustable rate based, in part, on the prime rate.

  

As a credit union member, you can get access to fixed rate auto loans that allow you to get the most car for your money. You can also plan with confidence knowing the portion of your budget devoted to paying your car note. You can even negotiate from a position of power knowing you’ve got financing squared away with a lender who’s got your back.

  

3.) Self-directed retirement planning

  

If you take personal care of your retirement funds, you need to prepare yourself for the market changes that will result from rising interest rates. These rates will most likely be coupled with a decrease in bond rates. This change will send brokerage investors running from long-term growth bonds into securities and commodities. This market shift will likely produce a great deal of short-term instability, as speculators try to time the shift in the market. The resulting market volatility can place your retirement savings at risk.

  

As the rates that lenders charge for loans go up, though, so does the rate they provide their investors. The interest rates you can earn on certificates and club savings accounts will go up in response to changes in the prime rate. Best of all, money you put into these accounts will be safe from the volatility of the market as changes occur in macroeconomic policy. When things have settled down, you can pull the money out of these accounts and put it into a more growth-oriented investment.

  

It’s easy to think of the decisions of the Federal Reserve as occurring in another separate world. The events of Washington, DC can seem far removed from your community. The truth is, in an increasingly interconnected world, timing your personal decisions to take advantage of changes in policy can save (or make) you money in the long term. This may not be enough motivation to buy a car you don’t need or consolidate a $100 credit card bill. But, if you’re making big financial decisions, you need to be smart about your timing and act fast. Stop by Destinations Credit Union’s office to see how we can help you before it’s too late!

5 Tips For Buying Your Next Car

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If you have great credit, getting a car loan at a great rate is no problem.  In tight credit markets, some buyers with less than stellar credit may have trouble getting a loan at a reasonable rate.  There are lots of ways to finance your car, even without the best credit, but be careful — these may cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Check your Credit Union’s rates first!  No matter what your credit score, chances are we can offer you a better rate because we are not-for-profit and owned by you, our members.

Do your research

You will most likely pay more for your vehicle if you go into a dealer not armed with information about the vehicle you are interested in purchasing.  Make sure you do the research and know how much you should be paying for your new or used vehicle.  The internet has made it easy to get this information — just go to the AutoSmart section of our website to get started.

Get Pre-Approved

Apply for your loan to see exactly how much you can afford before you go shopping for your car.  You’ll know exactly what your credit score is and what rate you qualify for through this process.  You can then make your best cash deal. Apply online and simply leave the make and model information blank or write in “pre-approval.”

If you already have your financing in place, beware of a dealer scam involving getting you to fill out a credit application, even though you are not applying for credit.  They claim it is required by the “Patriot Act,” but it is not. This is an attempt to run your credit to try and get you into the dealer financing.

Beware of “Choose Your Payment”

Many dealers are now offering to let you choose your payment.  While this may seem like a good idea on the surface, all it really does is extend the term of your loan, costing you thousands in extra interest and leaving you with a car that is worth far less than you owe on the loan.  As an example, a $20,000 car financed at 7% APR for 5 years will run you $396 per month and you will have paid at total of $3,763 in interest by the time it is paid off.  Taking that same loan, and choosing a payment of $250, you will be paying the loan for 9 years and will have paid over $7,000 in interest! If you can only afford a payment of $250, choose a car that fits your budget, instead of choosing a payment on a more expensive car.

Low Rate Financing vs. Taking a Rebate

It is generally better to negotiate the best cash price, take the rebate, apply it to the principal balance of your loan and finance at the best possible rate outside of the dealer.  If you run the numbers, you’ll usually find you save money this way.

Purchasing GAP Insurance

If you put less than 20% down on your new vehicle, you may want to consider GAP insurance.  The minute you drive a new car off of the lot, the value depreciates significantly.  If your car is stolen or totaled in an accident, you may find you owe more on the car than the insurance is willing to pay you.  Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance makes up the difference.  Don’t just take what the dealer offers you though!  Check around because you can usually get the policy less expensively elsewhere (such as your credit union).   

Extended Warranties

You may want an extended warranty on your vehicle, especially if you have trouble coming up with the funds to repair it on your own.  However, beware of the dealer “requiring” the warranty in order to get the loan.  Some unscrupulous dealers will tell you that in order to sell the product.  Most likely, you will pay less for a warranty if you purchase it through the Credit Union.  It’s a choice, not a requirement!   

Car and car loan bargains to be had this Fall?

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End of the year model close-out sales have been a staple in the car buying arena as far back as I can remember.  This year, though, dealers may not have a glut of 2012 cars sitting on their lots ready to move.  For whatever reason (better inventory management, better sales), many dealers just don’t have the inventory that they normally do at this point in the year.  The availability may depend on the car you want to buy.  For example, a local inventory search for a Ford Mustang convertible (a car I would love to get) shows only 2 within 100 miles of the Baltimore area.  I did the same search on a Chevy Silverado truck and found over one-hundred 2012 models left within that same 100 mile radius.

Dealers are offering some rebates and low rate vehicle financing, but only on selected models, and for the financing portion, only if you have great credit.  Usually you have to choose between a rebate and low rate financing and almost always, the rebate is the better option. (Our website has a good calculator in the AutoSmart section to help you evaluate your choices.)

When you’re buying a car (new or used), do your homework.

Research the vehicle you want to buy.  Know what you should pay for it.  Get pre-approved for your car loan so that you don’t have to waste time in the dealership and you can negotiate the best cash price.  Your Credit Union has some of the lowest car loan rates in Baltimore.  Let the Credit Union loan officer look at the offer before you commit – if the dealer is trying to pull a fast one, we can often spot it for you.  We also have car buying services that can help you save money.  Make sure you include the Credit Union as a valuable trusted partner in the car buying process!

Carol Szaroleta
Director of Marketing & Business Development
Destinations Credit Union

Pick Your Payment….Really?

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I originally wrote this for the Parkville/Overlea Patch, but felt it was worth sharing on our blog as well.

There’s a trend in car dealer financing that really bothers me. You see the ads…pick your car, pick your payment. How can you pick your payment? Yes, I’d like a brand new expensive hybrid that gets great gas mileage, but I only want to pay $200 a month for it. Really?

There’s basically only one way to pick your payment: extend the term of your loan. Your interest rate is based on factors such as your credit rating, and possibly the term of the loan or how much you put down. The car price is whatever you negotiate it to be. That only leaves how long you plan to pay on the loan, or term of the loan.

It used to be that 48 months was the typical repayment period on a new car. But, like everything else, the car prices have gone up. For people to be able to afford the payments, traditional lenders (including my credit union) have extended terms of 5 to 6 years. That’s still fairly reasonable — most of us expect to keep our cars that long, and a car that’s 5 years old isn’t likely to have a lot of problems.

So, how is the pick your payment financing going to work? Let’s say I’m going to be a little more reasonable about my payment: I will pay $400 per month to get the $30,000 Prius I want. And, let’s say I qualify for a rate of 5% based on my credit history. 
At a traditional lender, a 5 year loan will cost me $566 per month, but I want to pick my payment at $400 per month.  What does that do to my loan? 

  • First it will extend the loan from 60 months to 90 months: about 2 and a half years longer. 
  • Next, it will cost me about $2,100 in extra interest over the life of the loan. 
  • Third, by the time the car is paid off, it will be nearly 8 years old.

Imagine if I stuck with my $200/month payment!  My house would probably be paid off before the car! 

Think long and hard about the facts before you “pick your payment.”  Personally, I think I will just look for a car that fits my $400 per month budget!