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How to Get a Great Car With Bad Credit

From applying for a loan to anything as simple as a lease application on an apartment, your credit can make or break opportunities now and in the future. Breaking the cycle and building good credit can be difficult and often seem impossible at times. Finding bad credit vehicle financing is just as difficult navigating car dealerships throughout North Carolina and beyond. Public transportation is not always an option and reliable transportation is a key factor in holding down and maintaining a job. Bad credit does not mean you’re out of luck buying a car, especially if you’re in nearby Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Butner, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Zebulon, Nashville, or Warrenton. Our car lots in Youngsville, North Carolina or Henderson, North Carolina have a wide range of inventory and we’re ready to help. In fact, consistent payments on a vehicle may increase your credit score.

For 25 years we’ve made it our mission to provide not just transportation, but reliable and affordable transportation to our friends, our families, and our customers. As a small business with locations in Youngsville, North Carolina and Henderson, North Carolina, we’ve continually offered our buy here pay here program since our doors opened. What that means is our team has been a network of support for people who are having a difficult time obtaining a vehicle due to bad credit for vehicle financing. We believe that financial hiccups and hardships of the past shouldn’t dictate your future.

Tips To Help You Achieve Realistic Car-Buying Goals With Bad Credit

Step One: Know Your Credit And Determine Your Needs

So you’re in the market to buy a car but you don’t have the best credit. Congratulations, this is an exciting time. But you need to be prepared. A high FICO score typically means a lower APR from a lender. While financial institutions may not deny you a loan outright, your total APR will likely be much higher in comparison to someone with a excellent credit score. What this means is that your monthly payment is higher and your total interest paid on a vehicle could be substantially more. It’s important to not only research your options for third party lenders as well as financial institutions, but also consider our buy here pay here program and see if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Step Two: Determine Your Needs

used car lot

An important step in buying a new or used vehicle from a car lot is to determine your needs for the vehicle. Buying a car is a balance and finding that middle ground depends on research and being prepared. Will you be using the vehicle for in-town trips or will your job require extensive travel? If your monthly payments are high, you should consider other expenses of the car that could affect you personal income. Can you get away with a smaller, more efficient vehicle or is that SUV absolutely necessary? Determining your vehicle needs before arriving to look at vehicles will significantly help steer you and the dealership in a productive direction to find the best vehicle for your needs without wasting your time.

Step Three: Do Your Research

Once you’ve determined your vehicle needs, determine your financial needs as well. Using independent online sites are great resources for narrowing down your needs and making sure they align with market value and are priced fairly. Our online inventory is a great place to start. After identifying your vehicle profile, you can search our inventory comparing and contrasting what you find so that you can arrive confidently and ready for the test drive.

  • Some keywords to look for and understand before purchasing a used vehicle with bad credit:
  • Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  • Amount financed
  • Additional products and services
  • Finance charge
  • Total of payments

Step Four: Picking The Right Car And Closing The Deal

Look for newer vs. older vehicles. Older vehicles tend to not only incur higher interest rates than newer vehicles, but buying a newer car could be a better financial investment in the long run. Newer used cars often offer better financing, have less issues and maintenance needs and won’t feel ‘outdated’.

Don’t forget to read the contract and ask questions. Often times, car buyers will get fatigued from the anxiety of such a big expense that when it comes time to close, they overlook the contract and fine type. Read the contracts and ask questions. If you’re not 100% comfortable signing for the vehicle, don’t sign. It’s important to remember that you’re in control because not only are you making the monthly payments, but you know your budget and what you can and cannot afford.

Step Five: Keep The Loan In Good Standing To Help Build Credit

So you’ve found a car and you’ve closed on the deal. Congratulations, but it’s not over. Now that you have monthly payments, you need to at least meet the minimum required payment to keep the loan and your credit in good standing. Should you have the opportunity to pay more than the minimum each month, it can’t hurt to increase your contributions when you can and pay the loan off earlier than expected. Repaying many types of loans on time helps rebuild your credit setting you up for a bright financial future.

If you’d like more information on the buy here pay here program, take a look at our research section or swing by one of our locations in Youngsville, NC or Henderson, NC. We service areas around Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Butner, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Zebulon, Nashville, and Warrenton and are always willing to help. Our buy here pay here financing program is set up through our quick application in the online portal making it easy to get started and into a car today.

Guide To Buying a Used Car: What You Need To Know

Whether it’s your first dealership experience or you’re a seasoned professional used car buyer, AutoMax is here to help navigate the process. Our large selection of pre-owned vehicles serves the Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest areas of North Carolina and beyond, providing you with options you won’t find anywhere else. What’s more is we value our customers because often times they’re our friends, our neighbors and members of the communities where we live. As a buy here pay here used car dealership, our foundation started with our family-owned business and a handshake and we continue the spirit of that tradition today.

If you’ve bought a car before or you’re looking for a used car, we’ve created this used car buying guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of what you should expect and need to know when buying a used car.

Research The Car

buy here pay here car dealer

When you’re making a big decision like purchasing a used car, you want to be as prepared as possible going in to the buying process. What that means is becoming familiar with all aspects of the process, starting foremost with your wants and needs. The best way to do this is through prior research setting yourself up for multiple options and backup plans. At AutoMax, we can help you through this process, but it’s important to come prepared with questions and stick to what you know to be your lifestyle. Looking for a vehicle to help transport your large family to games, church, practices and other life events? That cool red sports car may not be your best choice. Drive a lot of miles commuting through the central North Carolina region for work? Maybe that truck with low gas-mileage you’ve been eyeballing just isn’t the right fit…this time. In fact calculating gas mileage on vehicles before heading to a used car dealership is one way to help narrow down your options.

Ask Yourself Important Questions

  1. Does the used vehicle have all the amenities I’m looking for? What can I sacrifice if all the other vehicle buying boxes are checked? Depending on the year, make and model of a used vehicle at AutoMax or other used car dealerships throughout North Carolina depends on the amenities you’ll find. With hands-free driver-safety laws becoming more common across the country, bluetooth or similar capabilities is one such amenity to keep in mind.
  2. Have I checked reviews online or in publications? All vehicles have reviews and all reviews tend to differ person to person, place to place. What works for some may not work for others, but understanding these reviews and what you’re looking for- and what you’re not looking for- is an important part in finding your next used vehicle. Fortunately within the last several years with social media and crowdsourcing, reviews are easy to find. The difficult part is navigating the immense rolodex you’ll come across. When reading reviews it’s important to identify the source of the review and its credibility. Your friend’s aunt or uncle could be a great source for information, but verify that information with a second source you know to be credible. Our team at AutoMax is happy to help point you in the right direction.
  3. Have I compared prices on similar vehicles within my purchase area? If two dealerships have the same vehicle, be sure to go see both and understand what, if any, differences exist. Sometimes it’s a feature like a sunroof, larger alloy wheels or an upgraded interior. Other times, the price differences may come through extended warranties or other incentives. The key is to know the price difference and what’s the better deal. In your research, visit dealerships with a price you’ve seen from another dealership and use that as leverage in negotiations.
  4. Have I written down questions to ask while at the dealership? So you’ve done your research and you’re ready to hit the used vehicle lot. Perfect! But it’s not over yet. Prepare some questions you can ask a sales associate either on the lot or during a test drive. Have similar models sold? Are there any issues that have historically appeared with the car make or model? Be sure to ask for and take the time to review the Carfax report which is a summation of the vehicle’s records and history.

Research The Dealership And Their Offers.

We have a list of benefits if buying with AutoMax, some of which include:

  • Worry free warranties included on every vehicle sold
  • Up to four free oil changes a year during the life of your car loan
  • Free towing and rental car through American Towing and Recovery 24 hours/7 days a week for mechanical breakdowns. Rental cars are provided through A-1 Auto Rental for customers that use our preferred repair facility for warrantied repair.
  • Free Carfax Vehicle report to provide records and history of your vehicle
  • Pay history reported to Equifax credit bureau monthly to provide the opportunity to help re-establish your credit.
  • We’re family-owned and operated since 1989. As second generation owners, the White family is here to serve you and yours as we have served thousands of central North Carolina used car buyers.
  • Many on our team have been with us for over 15 years, some from day one.
  • Money referral program
  • Offer interest deficiency waivers to protect you from unpaid balances following a total loss claim by your insurance company.
  • Search our site or come by our dealership to learn more!

Get To Know The Car In Person And Check Under The Hood.

Seeing your next vehicle in person is a huge part of buying a car. It provides valuable one-on-one time to understand and visualize the vehicle in your life as well as providing time to check in, around and under the hood. All used vehicles on the AutoMax lots go through a rigorous inspection. A few items to check while shopping for a used vehicle are:

  1. Check your transmission fluid
  2. Check the oil
  3. Check brake fluid reservoir
  4. Check over belts and hoses
  5. Check your antifreeze
  6. Diagnostics
  7. Remove the oil filler cap
  8. Ask for a repair receipt if the car has been in an accident and make sure it was professionally repaired.
  9. Get an inspection from a mechanic.

Being prepared is key to buying your next used vehicle and our research section is filled with more helpful information to prepare you for your visit to one of our locations in Youngsville, NC or Henderson, NC. We also have a financing application set up through our quick application in our online portal making it easy to get started today. See you soon!

Buy Here Pay Here Financing vs. Traditional Dealer Financing

Human beings make mistakes. In fact, having a standard or traditional one-size-fits-all approach is counter to culture, individuality, and life itself. We applaud people with great credit while sometimes not providing adequate services and opportunities to people who have had a credit hiccup along the way, or maybe who have a low score simply because they haven’t had the opportunity to even build credit. Should this prevent someone purchasing a car they could use for work, or to drive family around? We don’t think so. At AutoMax, we’ve been in the business since 1989 and understand that life happens. We understand that traditional financing isn’t for everyone because everyone is not the same.

Our buy here, pay here program is set up to offer the benefits of car buying to customers who have experienced financial hardships and are trying to get back on track. Having our own in-house financing, we’re able to offer a peace of mind that a third party loan provider cannot. That comes through learning about who you are, what your car buying needs are, and navigating your financial needs. But in order to understand the financing portion of car buying, we need to understand traditional financing and the benefits of buy here, pay here financing.

Traditional Financing

What goes into buying a new or used vehicle? Well, it depends on who you ask because it’s different for everyone. And the difference can often be determined by things beyond our control or by issues in the past that we’d rather keep in the past as we move forward. Buying a vehicle through traditional financing is the route to go if you don’t have prior issues with your credit and have had an opportunity to build your credit or have a cosigner. As a buyer looking for a used vehicle in North Carolina, here are a few options for the traditional financing route.

buy here pay here dealership
  • Dealership – Many first-time vehicle buyers go with the dealership for financing because they will often compete with third-party lenders and banks to get you the best rate. It’s convenient because it’s often same-day financing in the same place. However, unlike buy here, pay here dealerships, some dealerships still work with third-party lenders for financing, involving more cooks to the kitchen, so to speak, complicating the process.
  • Banks, credit unions and online – If you have good credit, financing through a bank, a credit union or even online can be the best option, especially if you finance through your personal bank or credit union. However, this assumes an uncomplicated financial history and good credit score.
  • Manufacturers – Typically this is done through a dealership to take advantage of special financing offers. These are generally only available to customers with excellent credit scores.

Buy Here, Pay Here Financing

What traditional lenders favor is low risk as well as higher credit scores. And those credit scores will often determine the size of your loan and interest rate on that loan. What that means is you could be paying more than the next customer on the exact same vehicle simply based on your credit score. As a buy here, pay here lot, the majority of our customers have lower credit scores and/or are dealing with some form of prior financial hardship. Let’s look at some reasons why buy here, pay here may be your best option:

  • Best suited for used-car buyers who may have low or bad credit as well as first time car buyers who are looking to establish credit and may not have a co-signer or qualify for a traditional third-party loan.
  • Everything is done in-house. The same team of experts at AutoMax work with you from the moment you step on one of our lots in Henderson or Youngsville, North Carolina until the moment you submit your final payment paying off your loan.
  • Would-be car buyers who are having trouble getting a loan elsewhere.
  • Perfect for customers who have a hiccup on their credit score and bad credit due to past financial hardships
  • Customers looking to not only purchase a vehicle, but to also have an opportunity to build their credit and the chance to improve their credit score to set up for financial success in the future.
  • Because there’s risk in every transaction, AutoMax used-cars go through a rigorous inspection and we focus on having quality vehicles with quality service.
  • Life can be difficult, and made more difficult, without access to a vehicle or reliable transportation. In fact, having bad credit or low credit can feel like a downward cycle, especially without having a vehicle to get you to and from work, or as simple as trips to the grocery store. Our team at the AutoMax of Henderson and the AutoMax of Youngsville want to provide our customers the keys to break that cycle and rise out above what should be a temporary setback.
  • Buy here, pay here used-vehicle dealerships may be your only option to get back on financial track. Fortunately the team at AutoMax is ready to greet you and assist you in your next vehicle purchase however we can.
  • We’ve seen it all at AutoMax and we’re sensitive to everyone’s needs. Because of this, our buy here, pay here dealership tends to be more forgiving when dealing with trade-ins and older model cars. Because we deal in used cars in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina region, we see vehicles and their values differently than a dealer singularly focused on new car sales.

With all the information that’s out there online these days, sometimes it’s best to go ‘old school’ and meet with a professional face-to-face. Our team is always ready to talk and help you find the best vehicle for your needs at the best affordable price for your wallet. Our locations in Henderson, North Carolina and Youngsville, North Carolina are ready to help when you’re ready to swing in and say ‘hello.’

5 Common Misconceptions About Buy Here Pay Here

Check Out The Common Buy Here Pay Here Misconceptions Below

Misconception 1: Interest Rates Are As High As 30% Or More At Buy Here, Pay Here Lots

It’s important to understand that the industry and buy here, pay here is regulated by the state, meaning there’s a cap on the interest rate which is determined by the state. In states where interest rate is higher, there’s actually little incentive for a dealership to have a high business rate because simply, people would not shop at those dealerships. Generally speaking, most states cap the interest rate around 28% and 29%. While this seems high, it’s a high risk transaction for dealerships and their future in business. Buy here, pay here dealerships operate lending their own money for what are often high-risk transactions. To help curtail sharp differences in rates, AutoMax offers all buyers the same interest rate.

Misconception 2: Buy Here, Pay Here Dealerships Don’t Service Or Trust Their Vehicles

bhph used car dealership

If you really break this down to basic economics, this tactic makes no sense. As a family-owned business operating for over two decades in the North Carolina community, our business is based on trust within our community and trust among our neighbors. Before any vehicle goes on the lot for sale, our team of technicians inspects and makes any necessary adjustments to insure we’re putting our customers in the best possible operating vehicles. For over 25 years we have stood behind our vehicles because it is our livelihood and our family reputation in the community. Every car that hits the lot comes with a warranty and coverage up to 12 months or 15,000 miles. On average, a person drives 12,000 miles each year. Our testimonials page is a good resource to see this lasting trust first-hand.

Misconception 3: Buy Here, Pay Here Dealerships Are Not Regulated

Buy here, pay here dealerships are regulated just as any other dealership. What that means for AutoMax specifically is that we report and follow the same laws and regulations as any dealer in North Carolina. In fact, due to these regulations and laws, we regularly train our team to ensure we’re keeping up to date. Here are just a few of the laws and regulations:

State & Federal Unfair & Deceptive Practices laws – Consumer protection law that prohibits deceptive practices in each state, which prohibit unfair or unconscionable practices. These statutes provide a solid protection for consumers.

State Usury laws – These laws vary state-by-state but they represent a cap on interest rates that can be charged on a line of credit or loan. While each state dictates their maximum limit, most U.S. states have a version of this law implemented, which includes North Carolina.

The Truth in Lending Act – A federal law that promotes an informed use of consumer credit which requires disclosures regarding terms and costs. The act is an effort to standardize how costs associated with borrowing are disclosed and calculated.

The Used Car Rule – Most car dealerships who sell used vehicles must comply with this law regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. There must be a document which discloses important purchasing and warranty information for the consumer through a Buyers Guide.

The Safeguards Rule – Financial institutions are obligated to protect any consumer information collected.

The Red Flags Rule – Another law created by the Federal Trade Commission and the National Credit Union Administration, this rule was set in place to help prevent identity theft.

Misconception 4: Late Payments Result In Extra Charges Or Repossession

Financial institutions can and do add late fees, may accelerate contracts and sometimes repossess vehicles due to delinquent payments or defaults on the contract. However, at AutoMax each account is assigned a designated member of our team to act as account representative. What that means is buyers have direct access to members of our team throughout the loan and repayment process and we’re always here to help.

Churning, as it’s called, is the practice of repossessing cars and quickly reselling them a number of times which some dealerships still do. However, it’s not standard industry practice or common among all buy here, pay here dealerships. Our goal at AutoMax is not to ‘get rich quick’ but to help each customer find a vehicle and pay off their auto loan in a timely manner. Repossession is a last resort and we have many layers in place to assist our customers through the repayment process. In fact, we lose money when a vehicle is repossessed and the value of the vehicle goes down with every sale and every new owner.

Misconception 5: Buy Here, Pay Here Dealerships Are Out To Get Their Customers

The AutoMax buy here, pay here car lots credibility and attention to customer satisfaction has been proven time and again through our interaction as well as our many systems set in place to help our customers purchase vehicles they can afford.

Since 1989, AutoMax has been a family-owned car dealership in North Carolina serving areas from Wake, Franklin and Durham to Orange, Halifax, Warren, Vance counties and beyond. While much has changed within the industry since our founding, AutoMax has been offering not only affordable used vehicles on our car lots, but we’ve been offering peace of mind through our company’s roots and employees who live and work in the area. While on to our second generation of owners, our mission as a buy here, pay here dealership continues to provide reliable vehicles and credit to our friends, family and neighbors like you. What that means is offering no credit or bad credit car loans to individuals with prior credit challenges while working with them to help them build on that credit. We set in place financing terms and plans for all of our buyers and our on-site team of account specialist work with you through the entire process to help you find what you want and can afford.

AutoMax dealerships of Henderson and Youngsville, NC proudly serve customers from the surrounding communities and are happy to answer any questions and help however we can. Stop by one of our locations!

Not Sure What to Use Your Tax Refund for? AutoMax Can Help

Spring doesn’t just mean the days are getting longer and temperatures are getting warmer. For most people, this time of year also means one thing- taxes. That knock from Uncle Sam isn’t always one of dread, however. In fact, tax time is often a time of the year people look forward to what can be substantial tax refunds. The Internal Revenue Service says refunds average $3,000 each year. Obviously there are a lot a variables to arrive at this figure. But how far this returned income goes is up to you and how you plan to use it.

Haven’t thought how you’ll use this year’s tax refund? In need of a vehicle or ready to upgrade? At AutoMax, using your tax refund can help lower your payments or set you up to make your monthly payments on a used vehicle from our lot. Whether it’s a down payment on one of the used vehicles or you’re using it towards a monthly payment plan, we’re here to help. Our financing experts at the North Carolina family-owned buy here pay here dealership are focused on the community and finding affordable vehicles through our programs.

What Are Your Options To Use Your Tax Refund On?

Tax time is a great time to be in the market for a new car with a refund. But take it a step further. What if you need a car before tax time? When life happens, we don’t always have the luxury of waiting to execute the ideal or perfect plan. Life happens whether we plan for it or not. If that affects your access to reliable transportation, that can often have a crippling effect on other aspects of your life. Tax season can be a perfect time for a bonus, especially if you’re in a pickle with a vehicle. Our team at the buy here pay here AutoMax in the Raleigh-Durham area is here to help get you into a car you love and can afford, and through our programs, we can get you in a vehicle today.

Tax Max Program

buy cars with tax refund

How do you know you’ll be receiving a refund this year and for how much? AutoMax is offering to pay your tax prep up to $300 if you take part in our deferred seasonal payment program. What that means is if you qualify and need a car today, we’ll do what we can to make it happen. After your tax refund estimate is completed, for just a small portion of your down payment we’ll apply your refund to the one-time deferred seasonal payment of your vehicle once it’s received. Not only will that help you get into the car of your choice today, but by applying a down payment to your vehicle you’ll also lower your monthly payments. But how does this program work?

  • Bring in your most recent pay stub that shows tax deductions and year-to-date totals
  • Bring this information for every job you worked during the calendar year.
  • Using these pay stubs, our in-house financial team will calculate the estimated tax refund you could receive from the IRS using the Tax Refund Services’ estimator.
  • Using this amount, AutoMax will allow you to make a one-time deferred seasonal payment based upon the estimated tax return to be paid when you receive your refund check.
  • Payment must be made before the agreed upon date of your contract.
  • If you’re a customer who uses the program to make a deferred seasonal payment amount greater than $1000, you’ll have your tax preparation completed free of charge by Tax Refund Services (TRS) at AutoMax. Bonus!

Pay Off Or Pay Down Your Existing Loan

Have a chunk of payments left on your vehicle? Think about using that refund to help payoff the remaining balance. What that means for you is not only building and improving your credit, but it also means having the relief of no longer having monthly payments. Furthermore, it sets you up in a better position financially if you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle with AutoMax or trade-in your vehicle on another in our inventory. Making an extra payment or paying down the balance means you pay off your loan sooner, reducing your balance and the amount of interest you pay overtime. Contact our specialists at the buy here pay here dealership in Youngsville or Henderson to help you figure out the best option and financial route.

Make A Large Down Payment On Your Vehicle

Larger down payments on a used vehicle means easing monthly payment amounts and helping you and your budget over time. Not only are these lower payments easier to manage, but they’ll help set you up for financial success through allowing you to save more or cover other bills month-to-month. Not only is it an option providing flexibility in spending and saving, but it also eases monthly pressures that can affect your credit score. By making payments on time each month, you will have the opportunity to build on your credit score, potentially repairing it from any past financial hardships.

If you’re looking for a car today, our tax refund programs are the perfect option. You don’t have to wait for Uncle Sam to get their paperwork together, work with one of our financial specialists to estimate your refund and see if you qualify for one of the many cars in our inventory. As a family-owned dealership in North Carolina, we’re here to help our friends, families and neighbors find affordable and reliable vehicles. As a buy here pay here dealership, AutoMax can offer no credit or bad credit loans to customers who have financial challenges in the past. The incentives of our tax programs are because we don’t believe your past financial hardships should decide your future and hold you back from a reliable vehicle that is Carfax-certified. Ready to get started? Contact us or visit one of our locations to speak with a member of our experienced team.

AutoMax Makes Car Buying Simple During Tax Season

The Internal Revenue Service estimates the average annual tax return is $3,000. So what are you waiting for? At AutoMax, our expert financial team is ready to walk you through every step of the car-buying process. Worried about your credit? Don’t be. Our buy here pay here dealerships in Youngsville and Henderson, North Carolina understand that financial hardships happen and feel they shouldn’t prevent future success. Whether you’re buying groceries, taking a family trip or have a commute to work, a reliable vehicle is often the backbone and literal transportation to fulfilling the American dream. This tax season you may receive a substantial refund putting you in a better position to purchase a vehicle, however many traditional lenders won’t even entertain an auto loan if there is any prior bad credit. At AutoMax, we make this process accessible and easy. Whether it’s through our online approval process or our buy here pay here program, our history as a family-owned business means we’re here to help you, not our bottom line.

What Are My Car Buying Options?

Buy Here Pay Here

car buying during tax season

As buy here pay here dealerships in North Carolina serving the greater Raleigh-Durham region, AutoMax of Henderson and Youngsville work with first-time and low to no credit auto buyers through the car buying process. While traditional lenders such as banks and credit unions often rely strictly on a number that reflects your credit score, we know that our customers and their lives are more complex than that. Regardless of their credit score, our customers receive auto financing to help get them into one of our reliable cars that fits their budget. By financing through our buy here pay here dealership, customers also have the opportunity to possibly improve upon their individual credit scores, giving them a leg up on building and repairing their credit history. This means setting up for future financial independence and success through making payments on time. Besides warranties and quality vehicles on our lots, working with AutoMax to find a vehicle means our team of experts is with you to help every step of the way, often making the process more efficient and convenient than most dealerships.

Tax Max Program

Throughout the year, AutoMax of Henderson and Youngsville, North Carolina provide our customers and the greater Raleigh-Durham community with incentives for purchasing a quality used vehicle. As we approach tax season, we’re offering our Tax Max Program which offers a one-time deferred seasonal payment of a vehicle to after receiving a tax refund. What’s better is we’ll help cover the costs of tax preparation for qualified customers. The promotion usually begins around the first of October and lasts through the middle of March. What the program offers is the ability to come to one of our lots and drive off with a car you not only can afford, but one that you love. Purchasing the car you need today shouldn’t mean waiting until tomorrow. AutoMax uses the Tax Refund Services’ refund estimator to calculate our customer’s tax refunds for the current year. Using that figure, customers are able to defer up to ⅓ of their refund as a deferred seasonal payment by paying just a small portion of their down payment up front. Read more about our Tax Max Program.

Top Value For Your Trade-In

While we’re approaching tax season, trading in your vehicle will always help with tax savings from sales tax advantages. We not only offer Carfax-certified inventory of reliable vehicles for your trade-in, we guarantee a higher value than any other cash offer from a franchise dealer. By trading in an older vehicle, you’re able to upgrade to a more reliable mode of transportation while lowering the amount of interest of your loan as well as lowering your down payment. To make it easier during this tax season to navigate trading in your vehicle for another be sure to:

  • Bring your vehicle’s certificate of title. You may have to find this at your local department of motor vehicles
  • The vehicle’s registration
  • If there’s a lien on the car, bring a 15-day payoff amount and your account number
  • Valid photo ID
  • All car keys and accessories such as the owner’s manual
  • Clean out your vehicle and personal information
  • Bring along any old maintenance records

Lending Isn’t Based On Credit

Ready to use that tax refund to purchase your new vehicle? Have you been denied a loan at a traditional lending institution due to your credit score? In-house auto financing by family-owned AutoMax means we offer financing and peace of mind regardless of a credit score. The process of buying a vehicle from one of our North Carolina buy here pay here lots is all in-house and never goes to a third-party lender or organization. We start by learning your car buying needs and what you can afford. Keeping everything from inventory and financing under one roof means we’re able to build a relationship with our customers and help them through every step of the car buying process. Building these personal relationships comes from working in the community and selling reliable vehicles to our friends, families and neighbors. For our team of experts, it’s about trust, not your credit score. Not only are we helping to build community relationships, we’re helping to build our customer’s credit and future financial success by walking them through the car buying process and aligning their needs for a vehicle with what they can afford and successfully pay off.

Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop for car buyers looking to get into a used vehicle they love. From Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Butner, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Zebulon, Nashville, Warrenton, our buy here pay here car lot locations in Youngsville and Henderson are ready this tax season to help your refund go further. Contact us today for more information or stop in to visit.

When Does Buying a Used Vehicle Make More Sense than Buying New?

The connection between a person’s car and their personality is almost always apparent. In a recent Washington Post article, George F. Will outlined the myths surrounding the “American Dream” and how it relates to cars. Simply put – people want a vehicle that amplifies things about their personality. That is why so many rural Americans opt for specific makes and models of trucks, why hip, environmentally-savvy car buyers focus on the Prius or the Subaru Outback, and why so many single men have an aversion to buying the ever-utilitarian minivan. In North Carolina, the Honda Accord is the most popular vehicle available. Chances are if you drive by any lot in Youngsville, Henderson, or Charlotte you’ll see at least a few of these used or new.

buy here pay here dealer used

One thing that people don’t see as an extension of their personality? A used car. For many, the stigma of buying a used car is steeped in notions of “newness” and “blank slates.” People want a new car because it is something that they believe they have the option of making entirely their own. Mostly untouched and undriven, the new car is something that can be wholly molded to fit a personality without fear of having a previous owners’ personality rub off on their own.

But for many, buying a new car is not an option -and this is not just because of the price. There are many advantages to purchasing a used vehicle, and in some instances buying used makes much more sense than buying new. AutoMax is determined to get every customer a vehicle which reflects their personality but also makes sense for their lifestyle, so here are some of the reasons why car buyers might opt to buy used cars instead of new cars.

To Save A Little Money

Cars alone are expensive, but when you combine an outright car purchase with all the associated fees, taxes, registration, and insurance costs you can quickly forget just how much money it takes to obtain a new car. Not only are used cars usually cheaper than their fresh-off-the-lot counterparts, but they come with smaller registration and insurance fees. Additionally, you can save thousands of dollars on sales tax when you buy a used vehicle. Unfortunately, many overlook the savings because of the dream of owning a new car, but if you are pinched for money, it is easy to make a savings choice by buying a slightly older, pre-owned version of your dream car.

As A First Car For A Child

Many teens today want to own cars, but with the nature of the economy and the need for sustained academic rigor, buying a car can seem out of reach for a child. But even if a child can afford to buy a car, most cannot afford a new one. Parents express concerns about used vehicles, but in reality, a quality used vehicle is just as safe as a new vehicle, and purchasing a used car for a teen makes a lot more sense than buying a new one. After all, they make mistakes and are prone to accidents, so buying a more modern car is a significant risk.

When parents or financially responsible teenagers buy through AutoMax, they are getting a safe, affordable car that has passed inspection standards.

As A Second Car With A Specific Budgetary Need

In America, 9.2 million households are without a car. However, for rural Americans, being without a car just isn’t an option. They rely on cars to get them to and from school, work, the store, and to doctors appointments. And for larger families, it’s likely that more than one car will become the norm as the family grows. Unfortunately, larger families often don’t have the money to obtain a second new car, which can be an issue.

But used car dealerships make obtaining a second car a possibility for families who need one but might not be able to afford one. AutoMax of North Carolina has a history of customer success and a large lot with many vehicle options available. What’s even more helpful is an AutoMax agent will work with your specific budgetary needs to ensure that you can walk away with a reliable second car within your budget.

Someone Looking To Make Greener Options

It’s true that buying an entirely new car does take a tremendous toll on the environment. And if your ideal new vehicle only gets 20 miles to the gallon, a greener option would be to purchase a reliable used car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. The reason? Over a fourth of a car’s carbon emissions throughout its life will come from its creation. It’s this reason why buying used anything – be it cars, clothes, or houses – will always be the greener option. Not only does buying a used car reduce the need for additional material mining, but it also reduces the number of new carbon emissions which are being put into an already fragile planet. As it turns out, being green can also save you some green.

Someone Looking For Alternative Financing Options

Finally, most new car dealers require their customers to purchase their cars up front. Unless a customer has many thousands of dollars saved up, it is impossible to buy a $25,000+ purchase without receiving additional assistance. Unfortunately, poor credit impacts over a third of the population and can make obtaining a loan to purchase a car nearly impossible. With most used car dealerships, like AutoMax, there are in-house financing options which allow customers flexibility when it comes to their purchase amount and payment period.

AutoMax of Henderson and Youngsville has a vast inventory of used cars that make sense for most buyers, regardless of your circumstances. Whether you are in need of financial assistance to make a purchase, need help finding a used car for your teenager, or are in the market for a second car and want an honest opinion, AutoMax has the experience to help you with your purchase. For more information, contact us at (252) 430-1006 (Henderson) or (919) 570-1107 (Youngsville) to start your next car buying process.

We Make Getting a Great Vehicle Easy With Our Buy Here Pay Here Experience

Google the phrase “buy here pay here,” and chances are you’ll get a whole list of reasons not to purchase your vehicle from one of these establishments. From naysayers writing off the process as a way for car dealerships to make money to financial institutions, like banks, warning against people obtaining cars this way. What is wrong with this picture is that the institutions who write off buy here pay here establishments are often ones with the most to lose. By keeping potential customers loyal to the credit process, they establish security for their lending services. However, for the seeming protection that credit-based services do offer, they often forget that nearly 30% of Americans have bad credit. And of those thirty percent, a disproportionate amount live in southern states. That spells bad news for Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Butner, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wake Forest, and Nashville areas when it comes to purchasing a new car.

The Disadvantage Of Bad Credit

What’s the disadvantage of bad credit? It means that potential car, house, and property buyers either pay higher interest rates or are denied loans outright. This takes a toll on mental health and the overall stability of the buyer’s market as well as making big purchases seem entirely out of the realm of hope for individual buyers.

buy here pay here auto dealer

Even for those with good credit, making purchases is a big hassle. It requires giving identifying information to a bank and waiting. While you’re waiting, products, land, cars, and the thing you are applying for has the opportunity of being bought out from underneath you. Regardless of the reason why the wait happens, it can be an exhausting, terrifying experience waiting for approval for your loans.

For all the downfalls portrayed by opponents to buy here pay here dealerships, there are many things to be said about the issues with credit-based buying. Car buying doesn’t have to be a complex, weeks-long process that drains some and ultimately leaves others without a car. Working with AutoMax on getting the right vehicle for you is easy, takes less time than traditional car buying, and helps out those with low to no credit.

You Have A Vision. We Help You Get There.

Most car buyers start with little more than a dream about what they need and want from a vehicle and go to a car dealership to make it happen. Traditional car salespeople work with that vision and try to get more from the buyer. Chances are if the buyer heads to a dealership the salesperson will lead them to the newest model of the car that their customer wants, talk to them about upgrades, and the customer will not only be saddled with a car that costs more than they expected but also will have to wait as updates are added.

After going through the lending process, having to wait longer for your dream car can put a damper on the new car buying process. At AutoMax, we help you find a vehicle in our extensive inventory that fits your description. Want an SUV with a sunroof but have a budget? We go through our inventory to offer you options. Even if we don’t have the options you are looking for, we go through our stock and make sure that there’s no other car in your budget and our inventory that you might be satisfied with.

Legal Requirements Ensure Clear Lending And Purchase

Used cars aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and a lot of that has to do with how used car sales associates are portrayed in media. The myth of the “lemon” car is persistent and tied to over-zealous used car dealers. In reality, it’s much harder to get a lemon because of “lemon laws.” If there is anything wrong with a car, a car dealership must disclose those things before selling them to you. Additionally, if a car dealer does sell a “lemon,” they will land themselves in legal hot water and could stand to lose much more than they could make off a faulty car.

All reputable used car dealers, like AutoMax, help you understand the pros and cons of the cars you are looking at. With simple and easy to read buyers guides on each of our cars, you can learn about any current or previous issues yourself. From there, discuss those things with your car salesman. If they know what’s good for the life of the company, as do the car salespeople at AutoMax, they’ll start an open and honest discussion with you about what to expect from that car.

How Lending Without Credit Works

You’ve come to AutoMax, had the dealer help you find a car within your needs, but now you need a little extra money to help you purchase a vehicle. For most car buyers, this is a reality, and this is where traditionally buyers would go to a bank, run a credit check, and get preapproved for a loan for the amount they need. This requires potential buyers to have good credit, which is not a reality for over a third of Americans. At buy here pay here establishments, lenders help those with no credit or low credit scores by working out a payment option based on other factors. Usually, this involves buy here pay here lenders giving you a pre-approved amount and working on a short-term loan with you. Initially, this means paying more per month. However, this helps get you to your dream of car ownership that much more quickly.

This doesn’t mean that the only customers of buy here pay here dealerships are customers with poor credit, however. There are many more reasons to purchase a buy here pay here car, including:

  • Shorter wait times to vehicle purchase
  • Shorter loan repayment periods, which helps you own the vehicle outright much sooner
  • Smaller sales tax fees because of the nature of buying a used car
  • Assistance throughout the entire process, from finding a car that fits your needs and budget to applying for aid to servicing your vehicle after purchase
  • Simple and secure payment options, including an online payment option for our customers

See how simple buying a great vehicle can be by purchasing your next quality used car with AutoMax of North Carolina. Visit one of our locations, or call our Henderson location at (252) 430-1006 or our Youngsville location at (919) 570-1107 to schedule your next viewing appointment.

How to Buy a Great Used Car If You Have Past Credit Issues

In the United States, 90% of all credit decisions are made by one company – FICO. There’s a problem with this, as most people need a decent credit score to make big purchases and the terms of their scores can be arbitrary. Sometimes, having a high balance on credit cards can be more of an influence on your score than your ability to make payments on time. Additionally, handling billions of people’s information leads to mistakes. The same report by Bloom noted that 1 in 5 Americans reported errors on their credit reports, and these errors often led to higher interest rates and declined credit offers. These statistics are worse in North Carolina, where on average Youngsville residents had a credit score of 697. This means that many people were below the “good” rating on the FICO credit score, which makes purchasing with credit a problem.

Luckily, AutoMax has the answer to those who need help purchasing a car due to past credit issues. With our in-house financing options, we can find affordable ways to help you drive off our lot with a new vehicle. However, buy here pay here lots are not the only ways to get a quality used car. Here are some of the other ways you can buy a great used car if you have credit issues.

Save Up And Buy It Outright

buying a great car used

Although most Americans do not have more than $1,500 in their savings account, it is sometimes possible for people to save up enough to buy a quality used car. Although it is dependent upon the year, make, and model of the car, buying a quality, pre-owned vehicle in the $3,000-$7,000 range is a definite possibility. However, this range might not get you the car of your dreams, and sacrificing on a car isn’t always the best option.

Instead, if you have a substantial amount of money tucked away in savings, it’s worth it to consider making a down payment on a used car at a buy here, pay here car lot. The chances are that down payment will make a massive dent in the amount you have to pay back, and ultimately you’ll have a greater range of vehicles to choose from.

Discuss Interest Rate Options With Dealers

If you opt for the traditional credit-based loan amounts with your bank, make sure you understand interest rates and APRs before taking out a loan. This ends up being one of the most significant customer pain points for those looking to take out a car loan. The good news? If your past credit issues are relatively limited and, perhaps, instead of having poor credit you have fair credit, you might be able to take out a traditional loan or line of credit. However, it might be that to do this your interest rate will be much higher than a loan customer with a good or excellent credit score and perfect credit history. If you are sure you can make monthly payments as they continue to rise because of interest, that’s fine. However, if you are cautious about the extra amounts you will have to pay as a consumer, its best to consider alternate lending routes.

Take Out A Title Loan Or Payday Loan

Title loans and payday loans get a bad rap. For the most part, the rap is due to misunderstandings with the terms of the loan, but some of it does come from the nature of the loans themselves. Payday loans and title loans are designed to help those who have poor or no credit, but utilizing them means you will likely have to pay back more (as you would any other loan) over a shorter period. Many people go into title loans without realizing what they are getting to. For purchasing a used car at a lot with financing options, a title loan might not be the best option. However, here are some of the pros and cons of using a payday or title loan to purchase a used car.

Pros: Quick and relatively easy loan approval, the ability to rebuild your credit, shorter payoff time means ultimately less interest paid and quicker access to full ownership of your car, no need for a good credit score because you can use collateral like your paycheck or old car title Cons: High interest rates, low repayment time means that occasionally it can be harder to make payments on time, payments must often be made in person, which means that if you take out a payday loan or title loan out of state you must travel to make payments, payments are often weekly rather than monthly, the risk of losing collateral is much higher than with traditional lending methods, you can only use collateral that is legally yours.

Visit A Buy Here Pay Here Lot

For the average car buyer, a buy here pay here car lot is the perfect opportunity to both purchase a quality used vehicle in your budget and to work on your credit over the long term. Buy here pay here lots work like this – a customer goes in with an idea of the car they want. It might be this idea is broad, or, perhaps they saw an ad in the local paper for a specific car on a buy here pay here lot that they have to have. Whatever the scenario, a buy here pay here dealership will work with a buyer on a budget, the amount per month they expect to pay, the type of car they want, and their credit history to see what kinds of lending options they have available to them.

For the most part, buy here pay here lots do not turn customers away because of past credit issues. However, a quick credit report will determine what type of lending option a car dealership might be able to offer to a customer, and from there the lenders provide solutions based on their credit report. Unlike payday or title loans, there is no collateral taken. However, these deals provide customers with the opportunity to rebuild their credit, which makes it a win-win situation.

AutoMax of Henderson and Youngsville are confident that they can help you find the right used car if you have previous credit issues on your report. For more information on the services and products we provide, call our Henderson location at (252) 430-1006 or our Youngsville location at (919) 570-1107. We offer roadside pickup and comprehensive payment options for all our customers.

Want a Low Down Payment? Get a Great Used Car at Our Buy Here Pay Here Dealership

Used Cars at our Buy Here Pay Here Dealership

When you are in need of a new or used car, something has happened to your old car. Maybe it’s one of those old junkers that keeps breaking down or maybe it needs repairs way too often. Maybe you completely totaled your car in an accident, and it’s non-driveable, leaving you stranded and reliant on friends or family for rides to work. Maybe you’ve been using only one vehicle between your whole family, and you really need a second. It can be hard making the jump to purchasing a new or used car. There are so many factors in your decision: make, model, year, and of course, the big one: Will it last? And on top of the many in’s and out’s of purchasing a car, you also have to worry about money: Do I have enough? Is it in my budget? Is the right car in my budget? Auto financing worries come in many shapes and sizes: monthly payments, financing terms and conditions, interest rates, and beyond. If it’s not hard enough finding the right new or used car for your budget, you also have to worry about getting

Want A Low Down Payment? Get A Great Used Car At Our Buy Here Pay Here Dealership

When you are in need of a new or used car, something has happened to your old car. Maybe it’s one of those old junkers that keeps breaking down or maybe it needs repairs way too often. Maybe you completely totaled your car in an accident, and it’s non-driveable, leaving you stranded and reliant on friends or family for rides to work. Maybe you’ve been using only one vehicle between your whole family, and you really need a second.

It can be hard making the jump to purchasing a new or used car. There are so many factors in your decision: make, model, year, and of course, the big one: Will it last? And on top of the many in’s and out’s of purchasing a car, you also have to worry about money: Do I have enough? Is it in my budget? Is the right car in my budget?

Auto financing worries come in many shapes and sizes: monthly payments, financing terms and conditions, interest rates, and beyond. If it’s not hard enough finding the right new or used car for your budget, you also have to worry about getting approved for a loan. Is your credit score good enough to get that new car from the big dealership? Do you have a good financial history and current situation? But don’t forget about a down payment.

Since buying a car is one of the major purchases of your lifetime, you’re typically required to provide a down payment on any new or used car. On top of everything, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you have enough for the down payment. Very few of us have the cash on hand to make a large down payment on any purchase.

At AutoMax of Henderson and Youngsville, we believe that you can get the right car without worrying your head off about the financing part of it. When you work with us, you can get the financing terms you want and a low down payment on a used car. Here’s how we do it:

How We Help You With Financing & Low Down Payments On A Used Car

Our Financing Is In-House

While other dealerships work with a third-party provider to get you financed for your new or used car, AutoMax is a Buy Here Pay Here dealership – meaning, we provide financing in-house to our customers. This gives us the ability to provide flexible loan terms, provide loans to people with less-than-perfect credit, and provide low down payments on any of our used cars. Our customers love our in-house financing for so many reasons, like:

  • It’s a quick process – Usually, car buying takes hours and hours filling out applications, signing paperwork and providing documents for third-party providers. You don’t have to worry about waiting weeks to hear back from a bank or credit union on whether or not you’ll be approved for financing, not to mention whether or not you’ll get a low down payment. Our customers can work with us from start to finish on everything from the financing application to financing terms and conditions to a low down payment on a top-notch used car.
  • They know us and we know them – It doesn’t make anyone feel good when they know they are just another number to a big bank. Long waits and hold times are a thing of the past when you work with our Buy Here Pay Here dealership. You will be comfortable with our team, and we are local to you. We truly build a relationship with you and your family from the moment you step on our lot, and we want to be there for you every step of the way.
  • We care about your financial situation – Whether you’re in a good financial situation or an uncomfortable one, we can help and be your partner along the way. From low down payments to flexible terms, it’s our job to work with whatever situation you’re in – unlike some other dealerships. And we truly want to help you secure your financial future, by helping you build your credit. We report all on-time payments to the Equifax credit bureau, and we will help you set up automatic payments to build your credit with ease. In addition, we offer a wide variety of payment options to suit your needs, whatever day it may be.

We Provide Financing To People In All Credit Situations

Maybe you have no credit, because you haven’t made any major purchases or used any credit cards. If you have experienced financial difficulties, like many Americans, over the recent years, it can be hard to find financing from big banks, large dealerships and credit unions.

AutoMax in Henderson and Youngsville is proud to provide financing to people with bad credit, no credit, or low credit. Don’t worry about not getting approved or not getting a low down payment on any of our used cars. Our team will work with you to get you financed and a low down payment for the used car that fits your needs, no matter your credit or financial situation.

Get Great Financing And A Low Down Payment On A Used Car Today

Ready to get great financing and a low down payment on a high-quality used car at our AutoMax dealership in Henderson or Youngsville, NC? Get approved online by filling out a short application or chat with our friendly professionals to get started today!

Call AutoMax of Henderson, NC – (252) 430-1006 Send our team a message

Call AutoMax of Youngsville, NC – (919) 570-1107 Send our team a message

AutoMax auto dealerships in Henderson and Youngsville, NC proudly provide low down payment financing on used cars to customers in the areas of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Butner, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Zebulon, Nashville, and Warrenton, in Vance County, Wake County, Granville County, Franklin County, Durham County, Orange County, Nash County, and Warren County.