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The longer the loan term or the higher the interest rate, the more you’ll pay. Total interest paid : This is the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan.Principal amount : This is the amount of money you’ll borrow to finance your auto purchase.Part of each monthly payment goes toward the actual amount owed, called principal, and the other part goes toward interest.
Monthly payment : This is the amount you would pay each month for the duration of your car loan.You can use reputable websites like Kelley Blue Book or CarMax to find your vehicle’s trade-in or resale value.Īfter you input the details above, the auto loan calculator will typically display the following results: Trade-in value and down payment : Enter the total cash value of your current vehicle or the amount of your down payment in these fields.If the calculator you’re using doesn’t include this feature, you can check online lenders and banks for rates. Interest rates : Some auto loan calculators ask for your credit score to help determine what interest rate you may qualify for.Having a shorter loan term means a higher monthly payment but less interest paid overall. In general, choosing a longer term will lower your monthly payment, but you’ll pay more in interest. Loan term : This is the number of months you have to repay your car loan.This will determine the total loan amount. If a calculator also asks for the purchase price of the vehicle, subtract the value of any down payment, trade-in or manufacturer or dealer discounts and rebates. Car price : With some calculators, you’ll only enter the amount you want to borrow.We explain the parts of a car loan calculator in further detail below.
You can adjust factors in the calculator, such as how many months you want to pay your car loan, to see how your monthly payment would change. Making a larger down payment may also get you a lower auto loan rate.Īn auto loan calculator considers the car price, loan term and interest rate to tell you what your monthly payment would be. Note that new cars typically have lower rates than used cars because they are less risky for lenders.
Age of the vehicle you wish to purchase. Several factors will impact your auto loan rate from a dealership or third-party lender, including: You may or may not find similar terms from the dealership, bank or credit union you finance your car purchase with. Keep in mind that an auto loan payment calculator likely can’t tell you what loan terms you qualify for based on this information. Most auto loan calculators ask for standard information, such as: It can also be used to ensure the dealership or lender you finance your new or used car with isn’t trying to inflate your monthly payment. With a calculator, you can determine how large a loan you can afford to take on and, as a result, how much car you can afford. You can read more about negotiating the best price here.ĭon't miss: Former car salesman: The No.A car loan calculator is a tool you can use to analyze your car loan options before making a purchase. Don't play too hard to get: Rather than threatening to walk away, work with the dealer to come to a consensus. Reach out to multiple dealerships: Get quotes from at least three different companies so you can get a better sense of pricing. Research prices online: Use tools like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds' True Market Value pricing so you have a ballpark figure in mind before heading to the dealership. Determine exactly what you want to buy: Know what model car you want before you head to the dealership, and what your budget is so you don't over-extend it. Edmunds recommends a 60-month, or five year, car loan.īeyond that, CNBC Make It offers four steps to getting the best deal on a car: If you can afford to pay more each month for a shorter loan term, you should. Not only that, but your car will likely have a lower resale value if you sell once it's finally paid off, Edmunds reports. While lengthening the loan term can lower what you pay each month, it will likely mean you're paying more over the course of the loan. Seven-year loan repayment terms are now common, as buyers opt for pricier cars like SUVs that they can't pay off more quickly, Edmunds notes. "This seems to be the norm now as Americans prioritize monthly payment amounts rather than total loan amount." "Over the last 15 years, the average loan balance has gone up considerably all across the U.S.," says Autowise. those two factors will significantly impact how much you're paying each month and over the length of the loan. There are a few things to watch out for when shopping for a car, besides the literal price of the car: The repayment term length, which has been steadily increasing, and the interest rate.