Know Before You go... Car Shopping
The age of vehicles on the road continues to rise. According to IHS Markit, the average age of all vehicles at the end of 2019 was 11.8 years old. After a nationwide drop in vehicle sales in 2019, the average age will likely creep up more. When considering those factors, the market is likely to move toward an increase in car sales. If you find yourself looking for a vehicle, be smart about your financing options.
With gas prices leveling off at more reasonable rates and steady incomes, consumers have been buying up bigger and more expensive vehicles. Add in new technology and the desire from many consumers to drive “loaded” vehicles with all the bells and whistles, it adds up to a hefty cost for consumers.
Knowing that you’re going to pay the price at the dealership, it's in your best interest to get pre-approved before shopping! Pre-approvals are great for several reasons, including:
- Know your budget, rate, and payment before shopping
- Focus on the car, not the financing
- Gives you added negotiating power to fit within your budget
- Prevents your credit from being blasted to many different lenders
Save Money by Avoiding Unnecessary Fees
Saving on a vehicle loan starts with the interest rate. The lower the rate, the more money you save. What many lenders may try to sneak in though, are unnecessary fees like an application or processing fee. On top of that, it's important to watch out for a penalty if you want to pay the loan off early. At CSE, we want you to get the best bang for your buck! Since we don't charge additional fees, you have more money in your pocket to go towards your car, not our bottom line.
Protect Your Auto Loan
We want to help you save money on your loan, but we also want to save you money with add-on options you might consider when buying a vehicle such as GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection).
Many people consider adding on GAP when buying a vehicle to protect themselves in the event your car is totaled before paying off the loan. GAP protects you in the event you owe more on the loan than what an insurance company would payout. GAP protection at CSE is available for just a few extra dollars a month in your loan payment. Now that is a no brainer. Ask your loan officer about GAP with your next vehicle.
If car shopping is in your future, take the guesswork out of your financing and come to CSE for a great deal. Then, enjoy the ride!
Taylor Hansen | Nov 12th 2020 @ 11:18 AM
I like how you mentioned getting pre-approvals so you can negotiate within your budget. My brother is wanting to get a new car and he's thinking of what types of loans he should get. He should probably act now since there isn't much demand within the pandemic.
Ivy Baker | Jan 25th 2021 @ 11:51 PM
Thanks for explaining that I will want to really understand want my budget is when looking for an auto loan. I would love to get a truck this spring. I think it would handle the country roads I drive on a lot better than my small care. It seems like I should consider if the loan will work well for a new modern car or not.