Frequently Asked Questions

Unless you’re in the position to pay cash for a new or pre-owned vehicle, you’ll need to establish a payment plan to obtain that vehicle. Two options exist – taking out a loan or leasing. Calculate your car buying budget.

When you take out a loan, all of the money used to pay it off applies to your eventual ownership of the vehicle. The initial down payment and principal on the loan cover the total cost of the purchase. Lease payments, however, apply only to the use of the vehicle. The total sum of payments covers the vehicle’s depreciation over the time you drive it and is usually less than the outright price of the vehicle. You can read more about it here.

Most leases rely exclusively on the residual value in determining the end of term purchase price. These closed-end deals require you to pay the fixed residual amount regardless of the actual market price. Open-end leases work differently in that the actual market value helps determine the purchase price. As a customer you are responsible for any difference between the residual and actual value when buying outright.

Annual mileage restrictions are a major limitation for customers who choose to lease. Lessors want their vehicles returned in saleable low-mileage conditions, so they place mileage caps on them. A typical yearly figure is between 12,000 and 15,000 miles. Beyond the established limit, fees accrue on a per-mileage basis, usually in the range of $0.10 to $0.25 per mile. So if most of your driving is local, leasing makes sense. However, if you consistently tack on 500 or more miles a week, definitely look into a loan.

Leasing ensures that you’ll always drive a late-model vehicle, won’t have to pay for warranty-covered repairs and won’t have to bother with re-selling at the end. Learn more about leasing.

Loans are also sensible for those who want to customize their vehicles, plan on keeping their cars for long periods of time and plan to re-sell their vehicles to help recoup the costs of ownership or expenses of additional cars. For those who quickly wear vehicles out, loans may be safer bets as lessors often add “excessive wear” charges if the car is returned with wear over the limits established by the contract. Check out types of car loans or find out how many years you can finance a new car.

The answer to this question depends on how you plan to use the vehicle. If you like the idea of driving a more expensive vehicle for a smaller monthly payment, leasing is a great option. However, if eventually owning the car is important, financing with a loan is the way to go. Don’t get left upside-down!

Down payment amounts may range between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle’s total cost, although some purchases require no down payment. A typical loan period is five years with an annual percentage rate around 8 percent. Some manufacturers offer lower rates, but be sure to investigate any associated conditions or clauses. Find out how much your down payment should be.

Yes, although they function somewhat differently from new car loans. A down payment of 20 percent or more is often required and the interest rate can be a point or two higher. Understandably, banks are more hesitant to loan money for used car purchases, as they would rather own a newer car if the borrower defaults. However, the market is full of good used vehicles, many of which are created by short term leasing. Check out the advantages of buying a used car.

Yes, registration, taxes, extended service plans and other supplemental charges may be included in the financing plan. Learn how to look beyond the sticker price.

Technically, many used car purchases do not require full coverage under law. But, financiers and lenders almost always require it. They want to make sure that their investment is sound, which means full coverage is crucial. For example, if you get into a serious accident while still making payments on your vehicle, a complete insurance package will prevent you from catastrophe. This includes comprehensive insurance, liability insurance, and collision insurance — or “full coverage.”

Having good credit, taking steps to improve your credit, and getting a cosigner for your loan are all ways that you can get a lower interest rate.

The first thing you should do is speak with your lender, but there are other options, too, such as refinancing or trading the vehicle in.

Many lenders – including Green Light Auto Credit – do not require a driver’s license to secure an auto loan.

In 2020, the most common loan term is 72 months, with 84 months as the second most common choice. However, term lengths have been steadily lengthening over the years.

The verification process may differ from lender to lender. Do car finance companies contact employer offices? They could, though most will simply request to see a pay stub or bank statement, or they may use an e-verify system to check that you are employed where you say you are. Self-employed workers may need to provide tax returns to properly verify employment and income status.

It’s certainly a possibility, but with questions related to taxes, fees, registration, and vehicle transportation, the imagined hassle may make buying a car out of state feel like it’s not worth it. Luckily, buying a car in another state isn’t as complicated as it seems, especially when you use these easy tips from Green Light Auto Credit.

Please feel free to contact us if you’d like more information, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have!