Different Ways to Finance Your First Car

There are many ways to finance your first car purchase. The most common way is through a bank, but when you have bad credit or no credit, you may find it hard to get approved by a traditional lender. 

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t options though! If you are looking to buy your first car, it is important to have all of the information possible. 

Financing a vehicle can be tedious so having some examples will help get you started on the right path. The following are ways to finance your first car purchase.

Saving Money 

If you have saved enough money, you can purchase your car outright. This is the best option for people who are certain of their financial future and have great credit.

If you are purchasing a used vehicle or one that has depreciated in value, it would be wise to avoid this scenario since the initial cost will likely far exceed what the car is currently worth. 

You can be sure of buying the car of your choice because you are paying for it with your own money. When it comes to choosing the right car, the Lexus dealer in Denver says that you should always prioritize your needs and what you think will make you happy. 

One reason people choose to pay in full is the fact that they do not have any monthly payments or additional expenses on top of their initial investment, which allows them to better maintain their budget. 

While some may say purchasing outright is spending money foolishly since you are paying for something that may soon depreciate, many see it as an investment into their own well-being.

Additionally, you will not have to worry about typical monthly payments and interest rates that come with a loan.

A Second Job 

If it is not financially feasible for you to buy a car outright, you can choose to take on extra work in order to have the necessary funds. 

This is very common for students right out of high school or university who are looking to finance their first car purchase. 

Having an extra job could also be helpful if they need more experience in their field of study prior to finding employment. 

Earning enough money from a part-time job can often mean that monthly payments are minimal since most people have monthly budgets that are no greater than $300 per month after housing costs. 

Another idea is that some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs if their employees decide to enroll in certain

Credit Unions & Loans

Most credit unions will finance used vehicles. The interest rates are lower than those offered by banks, but you may need to have a co-signer. 

The main advantage of financing through a credit union is the low interest rates. Personal loans are accessible through the bank or another lending institution. 

These may have higher interest rates, but they are available at banks. The advantage of a personal loan is that the money comes directly from the lender, not from your own account.

Companies That Offer Leasing Options for New Cars

There are several car leasing companies out there now. With this option, you pay for part of your first car and can drive it as long as necessary and there’s no down payment required. 

At the end of the lease period, you simply return it and select another vehicle to lease. You should check with various leasing companies offering these types of programs since each one might have different requirements and incentives to offer customers such as free rentals during business hours on weekends and holidays, one-way rentals at a lesser cost, zero monthly payments. 

If you have a cosigner for this type of lease, your insurance rate may drop significantly since the dealer is taking on some of the risks associated with leasing.

You can lease your vehicle by making small monthly payments over an agreed period of time. The main benefit of leasing is not having to worry about major repairs. 

When the lease expires, the customer has the option to purchase it at fair market value or turn it back in. 

You still have mileage limits per year but they vary depending on which company you lease with. Leasing is more expensive than financing a purchase.

Buying from a Private Party

By going to an individual seller instead of purchasing through a car dealership you can usually save between $1,000 and $2,000 off of retail prices. 

The main benefit here is lower starting costs compared to purchasing through a dealership or leasing company. There are some hidden benefits as well including not having any monthly payments involved (regardless if it’s financed or not). 

Besides establishing a good credit history, personal loans are one of the easiest ways to finance your first car. 

Usually, you can borrow up to $25,000 for three or five years at reasonable interest rates around 10%. 

Personal loan companies usually do not require a cosigner and offer fixed monthly payments. If you are looking for something quick and easy, this is probably your best bet.

Auto Financing Companies

There are many online auto financing companies that specialize in financing new and used cars with no money down and reasonable interest rates. 

You can find these companies by doing a quick search online. Car buying services are a great way to finance your first car because there is no credit check. 

Utilizing a car buying service will help you find the best deal possible for your situation and allow you to be prepared when going into negotiations with dealerships or private parties. 

The better-known companies also offer extras such as warranties at an additional cost, but many individuals will sell their cars without a warranty.

Credit Cards

Many people finance their first car purchase with credit cards, but this is one of the most expensive ways to finance your first purchase. 

Interest rates are high and you need to be careful not to carry a balance on your card because this defeats the purpose of paying for the car in full.

Federal and State Aid Programs

There are several state and federally funded programs that offer loans for buying a car. If you participate in one of these programs, you will need to meet their specific criteria such as income level, unemployment status, and other requirements. 

There is usually no credit check or cosigner required.

In conclusion,  there are many different ways to finance your first car depending on your budget and needs. 

The best course of action is to identify which method will allow you to get a car at a lower interest rate, a reasonable down payment, and a monthly repayment plan that fits within your means.