When you don’t have the money to pay for a vehicle upfront, you’ll need to borrow money from someone, whether it be a family member, bank or credit union. Most people choose to finance their car purchase with an auto loan, as it’s fast, easy and offers consistent monthly payments.
The most common auto loan length is 72 months (or six years) for both new and used vehicles. This length has increased over the years because of the rising cost of vehicles. The monthly payments are more affordable when spread over a period of six years compared to four years, though you will end up paying more in interest.
If you are looking for the most economical option for your car purchase, you may benefit from a short-term loan. Even though the monthly payments are higher, the interest rates are lower, and you’ll be done with the loan much faster.
Let’s look at why a short-term auto loan may make sense for you.
1. Lower Interest Rates
One of the best advantages of a short-term car loan is the lower interest rates. Since the loan term is shorter, lenders take less risk, which means they can charge less interest. The benefit to you is that you pay less interest over the life of the loan, saving significant money.
2. Save Money in the Long Run
To expand on the point above, you’ll save money on a short-term loan due to lower interest rates and a faster loan. Plus, you’ll own the car sooner. If you do run into problems with your car, you’ll have the money to fix it, or you can trade it in for something new. Things are more complicated when you still have a loan to pay off.
3. Build Equity Faster
A short-term car loan also allows you to build equity in your car faster. Equity is the difference between what you owe on your car and what it’s worth. With a shorter loan, you’ll pay more toward the principal balance each month, allowing you to build equity faster. This is a great option if you plan to only keep the car for a few years, and you can avoid being upside down on your loan.
4. Flexibility
Short-term car loans also offer more flexibility than long-term car loans. With a shorter loan term, you have the option to pay off your loan faster, which can save you substantial money in interest. Additionally, a shorter term loan may give you extra options for refinancing your loan in the future, and you can save on insurance costs once you own the car outright.
Shop for Repo Cars and Save Money
If you want to save money on interest, build equity faster and have more flexibility in your payment options, a short-term loan may be right for you. When you look for repo vehicles on Repofinder.com, you have the option to secure financing in advance or work with one of our sellers – they are banks and credit unions themselves! It’s the best way to save money while still getting a great vehicle!