Pierre Money Mart Blog

There are many commercials on television promoting certain auto sales, such as MK auto sales, which announce that they give auto loans with no money down and bad credit. This is especially true on late night television. I decided to call them one night just to see if they were promoting truth or just using an attention getter.

The person I got on the phone I asked a certain question, “Hello, I just wanted to ask you about the commercial which states no money down for any auto loan regardless of credit problems.”

The response I got started out with a “yes” and within about 10 minutes they asked me for my social security number for a credit check and how much money I would be putting down. You can imagine my surprise. I reiterated the commercial and specific quotes from the advertisement and again they insisted that they had to run a credit check. This was only the first subject I tackled.

“Why would you need to run a credit check if all credit issues do not matter to the eligibility of the loan?” Unfortunately no one could answer this after being transferred to several people.

I was then asked how much I was willing to put down on the auto loan. I did first explain that I was not interested in buying a car, I was merely interested for future reference if there was any truth in the auto sale pitch. They said they could not help me without some percentage on the table as a down payment on the loan.

From choosing the right type of car to comparing loans, there are five important things you can do to maximize your car shopping experience. Get a great deal on the car of your dreams.

Tip 1: Buy it used – We’ve all watched friends buy a brand new car. They are really excited about their purchase…for a few months. After a year or two, they usually complain about their high loan payments. Don’t make the same mistake! Buying a used car, even if it is just a year old, can help you save big. A new car drops in value dramatically as soon as you drive it off the lot. Plus, used cars these days can come with warranty and service packages, just like a new car. If the car you want isn’t available used or comes with a 0% APR offer, buying it new may make sense.

Tip 2: Research prices online – Buyers have the upper hand now that they can easily research prices and features of cars online. Before you go to a dealer, investigate the blue book price, MSRP, and other details of the car you are interested in buying. Print out these documents and take them with you. When a salesman tries to offer you a high price, you can use these facts in the negotiations.

Tip 3: Order a CARFAX report – Most sellers will give you a free CARFAX report for the vehicle you are thinking about buying. If not, go online and order one yourself. This $20 report will show you how many owners a car has had, where it’s been located, if it was in an accident and other “lemon” indicators. It is especially important to check out a car’s history, as recent floods in the south have put a lot of damaged cars on the market.

Tip 4: Check your credit – Reviewing your credit standing before you start to shop for a car can help you save big. If you have a high credit score, you may be able to qualify for the dealer’s special financing offers. You’ll also have extra bargaining power when negotiating a deal with a salesman. If your credit score is low, work on improving it for a few months before your application and take extra time to shop for the best loan offer.

Tip 5: Save on financing – The cheapest way to buy a car is in cash, but there are also ways you can save if you buy with a loan. Put down the largest down payment possible and choose the shortest-term loan in order to reduce your loan costs. Compare loan rates from banks, credit unions, and online lenders by using their free calculators. Once you’ve found the best deal, apply for the loan and take the financial paperwork with you to the dealer. You’ll usually get a much better rate through a bank or online lender than from the dealer’s financing office.

These tips can help you save hundreds, if not thousands, on your next auto purchase. Take control of the car buying process today…