Kansas City Auto Loans
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Kansas City auto loans here. Learn what affects your interest rate, how long your loan should be, and whether to buy new or used.
Your Interest Rate
The interest rate on Kansas City auto loans is important because it basically represents the cost of borrowing. Your interest rate will determine how much you will pay in interest expense over time. Here are the factors that influence the interest rate of your Kansas City car loan:
- The lender. Interest rates vary considerably from lender to lender. You can get Kansas City auto loans from a bank, a credit union, or the financing division of a car manufacturer. Dealerships primarily get their loans from banks and the auto manufacturer.
- The type of car you buy. Whether you buy a new or used car will also impact your interest rates. In general, the interest rates on loans for new cars are much lower than those for used cars.
- The term of the loan. Usually, longer-term loans have higher interest rates. You will notice that Kansas City auto loans promising 0% financing usually only come with terms of two to three years, maximum. Even if your monthly payments are lower with a longer-term loan, your interest rate will still probably be higher.
- Your credit score. The better your credit, the lower your interest rate will be. Lenders give the best rates to those with good credit because these borrowers are more likely to repay the loan.
Length of Your Term
Choosing a Kansas City auto loan with the right term length is crucial. A term that is too short will consume your budget with astronomical monthly payments. On the other hand, a term that is too long will cost you a bundle in overall interest expense, even if your monthly payments are lower. Ideally, you want to opt for the shortest term you can afford.
New vs. Used
Did you know that once you drive a new car off the lot it loses about 25% of its value? The depreciation associated with new cars is the biggest cost you will face in the first three to five years of ownership. Some buyers choose to avoid this depreciation hit by buying used. Although the purchase price of your vehicle will be much lower and you will avoid most depreciation losses, Kansas City auto loans for used cars don’t have rates that are as competitive as those for new cars. If you’re looking for the best St. Louis auto loan possible, you might want to buy a new car. Before you make this decision, you should work out how much you would save in interest by purchasing a new car compared to how much you’d save on the sticker price by buying used.


