It’s the new reality: the average monthly new-car payment surpassed $700 in May 2022. As a result, many people have decided to wait on buying a new car until the market returns to normal. Unfortunately, this current market looks to be the new normal. Even though car prices are decreasing, interest rates are increasing, making car payments higher than average.
The Federal Reserve continues to raise the federal funds rates, driving auto loan interest rates to a 20-year high. The average new-car transaction price, according to Cox Automotive, remains above $48,000. In October 2022, the average monthly new-car payment hit another high of $748 a month. Average used-car payments have surpassed $550 based on a 70-month loan term and 10 percent down.
According to Edmunds, the average car loan APR for new cars is 6.3 percent, and for used cars it’s 9.6 percent. Even if you’re saving a bit on the cost of the car, your monthly car payments can still be out of reach because of the new interest rates. Unfortunately, experts predict that things will stay this way throughout most of 2023.
So what if you are in the market for a new or used car, but you’re not in a position to pay $700 or more a month? Below are some tips to reduce the cost of your payment and still get a great vehicle.
Determine What You Can Afford
First off, determine what you are comfortable paying for a vehicle each month. If you know the average costs for a new car are around $700, and $550 for a used car, you can establish a realistic budget. But it’s also important to assess what you can actually afford.
Many people can’t take on a car payment that’s over $500, so if this is the case for you, you’ll need to find creative ways to reduce your payments. For example, you can put more money down and shop for lower interest rates – which brings us to our next point.
Compare Interest Rates from Different Lenders
Even though dealership financing is convenient, you’ll also end up paying more for it. That’s because dealerships make money off financing. They might tell you that you qualify for a 9 percent interest rate, when in reality, you qualify for 7 percent and the extra 2 percent goes to the dealership.
Businesses need to make money, but you also have the right to shop around for the best rates. Before you set out to buy a car, compare interest rates from different lenders. Many lenders offer prequalification, which gives you the rates without affecting your credit score.
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
Speaking of leverage, don’t be afraid to negotiate, even in this market. Some inventories are healthy, so you may be able to negotiate a better deal or take advantage of special offers. But negotiations don’t stop there.
When you shop for a repo car on RepoFinder.com, you can negotiate directly with the banks and lenders that are selling their inventory. They’re in the market to lend money – not sell vehicles – so they’re often open to working out a deal. And, you can get your financing directly from them!
Consider Other Options Like Repo Cars
Speaking of repo cars, don’t forget to consider other options like them. Repo cars have been taken from their owners for failure to pay, and they are sold at heavily discounted prices. You can also save money by looking for vehicles from private sellers in your area. Just be sure that you bring someone along for an inspection.
Get the Most Out of Your Trade-In
Finally, if you have a car to trade-in, make the most of it. You can spend a small amount of money to clean the car, have the oil changed, etc. and get a higher offer on it. You can then use this money to put toward a down payment. Having a bigger down payment is an excellent way to bring down the cost of your payments.
RepoFinder.com has a free list of repossessed vehicles that are available to the public. View them on our website, place a bid and schedule a time to inspect the car all from our platform. And it’s free!