Financing 101: Getting A Car Loan

Buy Here – Pay Here Dealerships Make Vehicle Financing A Breeze

At AutoMax, we know that finding the right car to fit your needs and budget – and finding a trustworthy used car dealership that sells that car at an affordable price – is only half the battle.

While this may seem like the most difficult and time-consuming part of buying a car, that’s only the case if you’re able to buy your car outright with cash – once you find your car and pay for it, that’s the end.

If, like most people, you plan to finance your car, you’ll need to understand how car financing works to come out on top and not find yourself overpaying for that new car.

Best Car Loan Interest Rates

Shopping around for a good interest rate, no matter if your credit is excellent or poor, is always the right move. The rate you get will vary from lender to lender, so make sure to do your homework ahead of time. Most new and used car dealerships offer vehicle financing to fit most budgets. So before you sit down to sign off on that car, make sure to ask about financing options and interest rates.

Remember, negotiating with your car salesman is only half the battle. Now you have to negotiate with a lender who will look at your credit history to help you get a good idea of what you can afford.

One way to easily and conveniently finance a car is to visit a Buy Here – Pay Here dealership. We’ll get into that in just a minute. Here at AutoMax, we strive to stand above the rest. We’ll explain why, of any buy here – pay here car dealership, we pride ourselves in delivering superior customer service.

Buy Here - Pay Here In North Carolina

One increasingly common way to finance a car is to find a dealership that offers buy here – pay here financing. You can often negotiate all of your loan arrangements and even make payments at the dealership. A buy here – pay here car dealership can often provide you with low credit auto loans, making buying a car that much easier. It takes the stress and worry of having a low credit score off your shoulders and lets you feel confident knowing that you will still walk away with a new car. Buy here – pay here dealerships act as a convenient one-stop shopping experience to save you the time, hassle, and stress of searching for the right loan.

Buy here – pay here dealerships are almost always reputable and trustworthy. But remember, as an extra precaution and peace of mind, you can always ask for a vehicle’s history report before you buy.

What To Watch Out For

We get it. Car buying is a stressful experience, even if it’s not your first time. The financing process is something that most of us don’t fully comprehend. But by being careful and reading before you sign, you can avoid even the biggest mistakes. It’s all about taking the time to understand your loan before you sign.

Used car dealerships aren’t always known for their reputation. That’s why it’s important to research one before you stop by. Otherwise, you could get caught financing a car that costs more than you expected due to loopholes in contracts, or the dealership could mark up a car right before you buy. Here at AutoMax, we know that our customers are placing their full trust and confidence in us to do what’s right, and we plan to deliver on their expectations 100% of the time. We’ve been in business for over 30 years, so you can rest assured that you’re in great hands with us.

No matter how many times you’ve financed a car in the past, or even if it’s your first time, it can always be a daunting task. One that you will never feel comfortable with. At AutoMax, we hope to make the whole experience quicker and easier for you, giving you total peace of mind. Stop by or give us a call today to get started buying your new vehicle.

Top Car Tune-Up Tips for Summer

Used Car Maintenance Tips From AutoMax In North Carolina

Here at AutoMax, we know a thing or two about used cars and how to maintain them.

In fact, we’re one of the leading buy here – pay here dealerships for used cars in North Carolina. With a legacy spanning over three decades, AutoMax North Carolina is a reputable buy here – pay here car dealership where you’ll find the highest-quality, Carfax-certified used vehicles. Our friendly employees are honest, straightforward, and always willing to offer advice.

And speaking of advice…

Used car maintenance is always a topic of debate, and with summer around the corner, it always helps to be aware of car maintenance tips and car tune-up tips. We put our experience of dealing with used cars for over thirty years to good use and came up with some tips to ensure that your car does not let you down when you head out on those summer road trips. Follow these simple tips before you set out on a road trip for peace of mind and a pleasant drive.

Check Battery Terminals

Your car battery takes a lot of punishment in summer because of the high temperatures and the demand for cooling. It is best to check the battery terminals and remove any build-up near them that could affect battery performance. To clean the terminals, disconnect the cables, sprinkle some baking soda, and finally spray some water on them to form a paste. Let the paste sit for an hour and then wipe it off with a damp sponge or cloth.

Get A Sunshade

Summer inevitably means parking your car in the scorching sun for hours on end. Harsh sunlight can heat car interiors, making it uncomfortable for occupants after a long period out in the sun. The heat can cause premature damage to upholstery and plastics used in the car cabin. A sunshade can help keep the sunlight out to ensure comfortable interiors and lessen damage to the vulnerable components.

Check Coolant Level

Coolant keeps the engine from overheating, and it is vital to maintain a sufficient quantity. If you see a drop in coolant level, top it off with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. However, if you notice a puddle under your car after parking it for a couple of hours, the car is probably leaking coolant, and it needs a check-up.

Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is one of the easiest things to monitor, but is overlooked often. A simple tire pressure gauge can tell whether the tire pressure matches the recommended pressure specified in the owner’s manual. Too little pressure can cause the tire to flatten and cause excessive pressure on the sidewalls. There is a chance of the tires blowing if the car runs for long periods in hot conditions and at high speeds. Conversely, if the pressure is too high, it can cause the tire to bulge outwards, reducing the area of contact between the tire and the surface of the road. Such a condition can prove dangerous in wet conditions when a lack of traction caused by the reduced contact area can cause hydroplaning.

Check Windshield Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper blades can crack, chip, or break during summers because of the heat. A wiper blade that leaves streaks, takes multiple passes to clear the droplets of rain, or does not clean the windshield effectively, causes reduced visibility. Reduced visibility is dangerous, especially during rainstorms and during the night. It is essential to check windshield wiper blades regularly for signs of wear and tear. Replace them at the earliest signs of damage.

Switch To Summer Tires

Keeping your winter tires on during summer can reduce the fuel efficiency of your car. Replace the heavy winter tires with summer tires or all-season tires that are much lighter. You can have two sets of tires and swap them when seasons change. Keeping this tip in mind can save you a lot of money on long road trips when even a slight dip in fuel efficiency can add up quickly.

Check Hoses And Belts

Hoses and belts keep the radiator and fans running correctly to keep the engine cool. A leaky hose or a snapped belt can quickly cause the engine to overheat, especially in summer when the outdoor temperatures are already high. Check hoses for cracks and leaks; ensure that they feel firm and not soft and bendy. Ensure that there are no leaks at connections. Check for cracks or signs of wear that develop with age and can cause belts to snap. Belts can also sag or become slick over time and should be replaced in such cases.

Buying Used Cars In North Carolina From AutoMax In Youngsville And Henderson

Hopefully, these car maintenance tips will help you have safe and pleasant road trips this summer.

The next time you’re looking for a used car, visit one of our two AutoMax buy here – pay here dealerships. We’ve been in business for over 30 years and have established trusting relationships with our many customers throughout the years. We promise to offer you our best service and help you find a car that meets your needs and your budget. Stop by and see us today, or shop our inventory online. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

How is My Credit Score Determined?

Understanding How To Improve Your Credit To Buy Used Cars In North Carolina

Your credit score can have a profound effect on your life as it affects your ability to get credit and the cost that you will pay for the credit that you get.

Many people do not realize it, but they have multiple credit scores that are generated by different companies that provide credit rating services. Three major credit bureaus provide credit scores—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Your score from the three reporting bureaus will vary. One factor which will cause different credit scores between the three bureaus is that they each use different scoring models that weigh various factors differently.

Another factor that weighs into credit score calculation is the fact that lenders and creditors may not report information to all three credit bureaus. They may only report information to one or two of the bureaus.

There are also variations of the credit scores from each of the bureaus, such as FICO and VantageScore. Different lenders and creditors use different scoring sources depending on the industry they are in, as each industry may give more weight to different facets of the credit score and thus rely on the bureau most aligned to their needs. Some lenders will also use a score that is calculated based upon the scores of all three of the bureaus.

Components Of Your Credit Score

The major factors that are used in the scoring models include the number of credit accounts that you have, the types of accounts, the ratio of your credit used as opposed to the credit you have available, the length of your credit history, and your payment history.

When looking at your payment history, a lender is simply attempting to determine if they lend you money whether you are going to pay it back within terms. They will look at your history of payments on credit cards, mortgage loans, installment loans, and finance company accounts. They will look for late and missed payments on these accounts and any defaults on them.

The ratio of used credit will give the lender an indication of how responsible you are in managing your credit. Having accounts that are maxed out or nearly maxed out may be an indicator of impending problems.

Lenders will also want to see a mix of the various types of accounts in your credit history indicating that you can responsibly manage your credit.

Another factor that lenders will consider is how many new accounts you have opened recently, which will impact the length of your credit history.

A factor that will also be considered is hard inquiries. Hard inquiries are defined as a check of your credit by a lender or creditor with whom you have applied for credit. A large number of hard inquiries may indicate to a potential creditor that you are attempting to obtain credit from too many different sources at the same time.

Re-Establishing Credit

If for any of several reasons such as loss of a job, divorce, or any other reason you find yourself in the position of having an impaired credit rating, there are steps you can take to help raise your credit scores. An important factor that can improve your credit score if you are in the market for a reliable vehicle is to look for a source to provide you with that vehicle and the financing you need to purchase the vehicle.

One method of achieving this is to check out used cars for sale from AutoMax, which is experienced in helping people with bad credit buy a car. For years, we’ve been the premier source for used cars in North Carolina.

Bad credit car loans are our specialty since we’re the leading buy here pay here dealership in North Carolina. AutoMax will make buying a car with bad credit a stress-free and satisfying experience.

At AutoMax, we don’t rely at all on credit scores in determining whether to make a car loan to you. We simply look for proof of income, which shows us that you can make the payments on your vehicle purchase. AutoMax will report your successful payment history with us to the credit bureau, which will be a big factor in how to improve your credit.

The application process is simple at AutoMax and does not require you to “jump through hoops” to complete your purchase. Check out either of our AutoMax dealerships in Youngsville or Henderson for your next car purchase. We’ll help you get on the road to good credit in no time!