Affording a car can be difficult regardless of your financial situation. New vehicles cost in the $30-$40,000 range on the “reasonable” end, and even used cars can reach into the $20,000 range depending on the make, model, and year of the vehicle. For some, that is a whole year’s salary just for a used vehicle. Looking at cars advertised online, on television, and hearing common car prices over the radio can discourage a person from looking into a used car purchase, even if they might need a used car to make their everyday lives more comfortable. Fortunately, buying a reliable used car doesn’t mean paying $20,000 for one. Purchasing from a reputable used car dealership can make a difference.
Not all used car dealerships are the same, however. Some used car purchase options require outside financing, like if you’re buying from a private seller. Finding external funding requires weeks’ worth of paperwork and waiting, and not everyone is approved for this type of financing - especially if you have credit issues. Additionally, many car dealerships who sell used cars ask for a steep down payment, which is another financial limitation that can make people think they’ll never be able to afford a used car.
If you’re on the fence about buying a used car, stop by a reliable buy here pay here car dealership like Auto Bank of Kansas City. These car dealerships are designed to help those who might have found other used car buying routes difficult, and most people can afford to purchase a car from one of these dealerships.
Rather than using a credit score to determine how much they will lend to you, a buy here pay here dealership looks at how much money you make each month, compares it to how much outside financial obligation you have, and works with you to create a lending solution that will allow you to buy a car at their establishment. Most buy here pay here dealerships do have a base amount that you must make each month to qualify for financing, but generally, that is a pretty low number. At Auto Bank of Kansas City, you only need to make $1200 after taxes to qualify for financing - something that most people can afford.
Once you apply for financing and are approved, you’ll go over the loan amount with a representative of the dealership and will get to look at cars that fit within that loan amount. Once you find one you like, you sign and drive. It’s that simple.
If you have an old car that you could trade in, always be sure to offer that to the dealership. Even if the vehicle has issues, it still could be worth something. Bringing in a car to a buy here pay here dealership offers you the chance to widen your options at the dealership. Plus, it’s extra inventory for the dealership. A trade in is essentially a payment to the dealership toward the car you pick out. Therefore, you could easily increase the amount that is lent to you/the number of vehicles you could choose from by “making a payment” to the buy here pay here lot.
Perhaps you do have enough saved up for a down payment on a car; you just might not have the customary 20% saved up that many other dealerships, including used car dealerships, ask that you have before the purchase of a vehicle. That’s usually okay, and might even be a perk for you as a buyer. Buy here pay here lots are well-known for having low down payment amounts, with the option to make a larger down payment if you have it. While buy here pay here dealerships will always encourage you to make a down payment if you can, they will work with you to find a car that doesn’t require a large down payment if that is what you need.
The whole process of buying a buy here pay here car is designed to make the used car buying process comfortable if they have had issues purchasing elsewhere in the past. Rather than requiring credit checks or lofty down payments, the buy here pay here dealership asks you to apply for financing before you shop. They use your base income, monthly payment limitations, and other unique financial details to work out car options for you. Traditional car buying works the opposite way -- you find a car you like, and you take a leap of faith in the idea that you’ll be able to afford it. With the buy here pay here application process, you are never paying more for a car than you can handle based on your own preferences and the carelessness of dealership employees.
If you haven’t been able to afford a used car in the past because of your credit, then buy here pay here dealerships are the best route for used car purchasing. Not only will your credit score not be taken into consideration when it comes to a car purchase, but it will also help you rebuild your credit. On-time payments are reported to credit bureaus, and eventually, those payments bring your credit score up (as well as your timely payoff of the car loan). So, if you need a new credit account to boost your credit score, this is a handy workaround.
Auto Bank of Kansas City is a leading used car dealership in the great Kansas City metropolitan area with the goal of making buy here pay here cars affordable. With two different locations in the city, one on East Truman Road and one on East Front Street, we know that we can make your life easier by providing in-house financing, assistance with vehicle purchase, and competitive interest rates. There’s no need to worry about whether you’ll be able to afford a buy here pay here car - at Auto Bank of Kansas City, we have competitive financing options for everyone regardless of their credit and experience buying a car. For more information about how to contact us, click here.