Is it smart to do a 72-month car loan?

Asked by: Ezekiel Littel  |  Last update: September 12, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (49 votes)

Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go. You can learn more about car loans here.

Is a 72 month car loan a good idea?

Long loan terms might seem like a good deal, but they cost more in interest and can set you up for other financial problems, like owing more than your car is worth.

Is it worth it to pay car loan off early?

Paying off a car loan early can save you money — provided there aren't added fees and you don't have other debt. Even a few extra payments can go a long way to reducing your costs. Keep your financial situation, monthly goals and the cost of the debt in mind and do your research to determine the best strategy for you.

What is the best amount of months to finance a car?

According to most personal finance experts, the optimal length for a car loan is 48 months, although some are upping this length to 60 months due to the increased cost of vehicles and lower interest rates.

What is the monthly payment on a $30 000 car loan?

With a loan amount of $30,000, an interest rate of 8%, and a loan repayment period of 60-months, your monthly payment is around $700. Before you purchase your new vehicle, remember to budget for car maintenance, gas, and car insurance.

What Do I Need To Know Before I Take on a Car Loan? Is 72 Months Okay? 0% Okay? (Former Car Dealer)

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What does 0 APR for 72 months mean?

When you see a deal for 0% APR, it means you won't pay any interest on the loan, which means that you're essentially borrowing money for free — the full amount of every payment you make is applied to your loan. You typically need excellent credit to qualify for these deals.

Will paying off car increase credit score?

Generally speaking, when you pay off a car loan (or lease), your credit score will take a mild hit. In a nutshell, the FICO credit scoring formula, the most commonly used scoring method by lenders, considers an almost-paid-off loan to be a superior credit item as compared with a loan you've already paid off.

Does paying off car reduce insurance?

No, paying off your car doesn't reduce your insurance rates, but it does give you more control over the type and amount of coverage you have, which can help you save money on your insurance rates.

Will my credit score drop when I pay off my car?

Once you pay off a car loan, you may actually see a small drop in your credit score. However, it's normally temporary if your credit history is in decent shape – it bounces back eventually. The reason your credit score takes a temporary hit in points is that you ended an active credit account.

Is 7 years too long to finance a car?

Stretching your loan term to seven or even 10 years is probably too long for an auto loan because of the interest charges that stack up with a higher interest rate. To illustrate, say you take on a $10,000 car loan for seven years with a 13% interest rate (a common rate for bad credit borrowers).

How long should you make a car loan?

This is why Edmunds recommends a 60-month auto loan if you can manage it. A longer loan may have a more palatable monthly payment, but it comes with a number of drawbacks, as we'll discuss later. The trend is actually worse for used car loans, where just over 80% of used car loan terms were over 60 months.

What APR is too high for a car?

A high APR (“annual percentage rate”) car loan is one that charges higher-than-average interest rates. The legal limit for car loans is around 16% APR, but you will find lenders that get away with charging rates of 25% or more.

What credit score is excellent?

Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.

How fast will a car loan raise my credit score?

When you make a timely payment to your auto loan each month, you'll see a boost in your score at key milestones like six months, one year, and eighteen months. Making your payments on time does the extra chore of paying down your installment debt as well.

Does buying a car in full help your credit?

Buying a car can help your credit if: You make all of your payments on time. Because payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score, making payments on time and in full should improve your credit score over time. It improves your credit mix.

Is 80 thousand miles a lot on a car?

How many miles is too many miles on a car? Between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year is what's considered average. A car that's done 100,000 miles in 3 years - for example - is high mileage.

What happens when car loan is paid off?

Once you've paid off your loan, your lien should be satisfied and the lien holder should send you the title or a release document in a reasonable amount of time. Once you receive either of these documents, follow your state's protocol for transferring the title to your name.

Does anyone have a credit score of 850?

Yes. An Experian study found that as of 2019, 1.2% of all credit-holding Americans had a FICO score of 850. A perfect score generally requires years of exemplary financial behavior, like making on-time payments, keeping a low credit utilization ratio, and maintaining a long history of credit accounts.

Does a car loan hurt your credit?

First, it will increase your total debt load and change your credit utilization ratio, which may cause a slight drop in your score. If you've just established the loan, there's no payment history yet, but any slight decline in credit score should be remedied quickly if you make your first few payments on time.

Why did my credit score drop after buying a car?

Your score dropped after buying a car due to hard inquiries. Each credit report the auto loan lender pull adds 1 new hard inquiry, and each hard inquiry lowers your score up to 10 FICO points. A single car loan application could lower your score up to 30 points.

How do you get an 800 credit score?

How to Get an 800 Credit Score
  1. Pay Your Bills on Time, Every Time. Perhaps the best way to show lenders you're a responsible borrower is to pay your bills on time. ...
  2. Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low. ...
  3. Be Mindful of Your Credit History. ...
  4. Improve Your Credit Mix. ...
  5. Review Your Credit Reports.

What credit score do you need to get 0% interest on a car?

And if you're hoping to score a 0% APR car loan, you'll likely need a very good or exceptional FICO® Score , which means a score of 740 or above. Before you start shopping for a new vehicle, take some time to check your credit score to see where you stand.

What is the average interest rate on a car loan with a 700 credit score?

Having a 700 credit score puts you in the “prime” category for borrowing. According to Experian, the average rates for this category are 3.51% for new-car loans and 5.38% for used-car loans.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

First of all, a 900 credit score isn't really possible. And just 1% of the population can achieve a credit score of 850, so there's a certain point where trying to get the highest possible credit score isn't realistic at all. Only a few credit score models have a credit score limit of 900 as is.

What can an 800 credit score get you?

An 800-plus credit score shows lenders you are an exceptional borrower. You may qualify for better mortgage and auto loan terms with a high credit score. You may also qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks, such as access to airport lounges and free hotel breakfasts.