Auto Finance Department in Daphne, AL

We've streamlined the car-buying process to better serve our customers from Pascagoula and Mobile, AL, to Pensacola, FL. You'll find answers to all your questions, including how auto financing works, the impact of your credit, and the ways we can help you get the best deal on a new car loan or lease.

How Car Financing Works

You can visit our Daphne location on U.S. Highway 98 and drive away in a new or used car one of three ways. You can purchase your car, truck, or SUV with cash, lease a new car through our finance department, or you can finance the purchase. Buying a car with cash offers the most straightforward way to drive away in a new car. Yet, most people don't have the cash on hand to do so, or they don't want to spend it all at once on a new vehicle. 

Leasing a vehicle is the least expensive way to drive off in a new car. Leases often run for two to four years depending on the circumstances, and you can expect to pay less each month than you would with a car loan. In addition, many companies offer lease incentives like zero down and expanded mileage. In some cases, you might have to put a down payment on a lease.

Financing a vehicle usually makes the most financial sense. Essentially, when you finance a car, a bank, dealership, or lending institution loans you the cash to pay for the vehicle. You then must repay the loan in monthly installments. Most purchases are made through financing, so if you need a new car, it's essential you get a good deal on your loan to save more money.

Loan terms vary according to various factors. For example, your credit score determines your interest rate and the amount you can borrow. Banks also use your monthly income and your monthly debt to help them decide on these numbers.

The length of a car loan often gets overlooked, yet it can dramatically impact your monthly payment. Most car loans run between 48 and 72 months, with some going as long as 84 months. If you select a shorter term, you'll pay more each month. More extended periods offer lower monthly payments, and most buyers choose the lower payment. Loan experts suggest finding a balance between lengths by settling on the highest monthly payment you can afford. In this way, you save money with a shorter term, even though you pay more each month.

How Does Credit Affect Financing?

Credit reporting agencies arrive at your credit score through an algorithm that factors your income, debt, credit usage, payment history, and credit history. The higher your score goes, the better credit you have, and as your score lowers, your credit rating drops with it. Of course, the higher your score, the better or lower the interest rate you'll qualify for on a loan. Conversely, lower credit scores result in higher interest rates, or some instances, no loan at all. 

There are many factors that go into the entire picture of your credit situation. Whether you have bad credit, good credit, or no credit; it is still best to check your score and history through a trusted source before applying for any type of loan so you are fully aware of everything that might come up in your credit report. 

Therefore, you want to make sure that your credit remains strong before applying for a car loan. Our financial experts at Tameron CDJRF recommend checking your credit score before applying for a loan. Often, you can improve your score quickly and with little effort. Our financial experts can offer you tips on how to improve your credit based on your current report before you apply. 

Applying for a car loan creates a credit inquiry, which impacts your credit score negatively. Hence, most experts recommend waiting until you have your credit score in the best possible position before applying.