How Are Car Loan Rates in Santa Clara, CA Calculated?
A handful of factors contribute to your California car loan rate, including your income, your credits core, the loan amount, the down payment, the age of the car, and your loan's term (the length of the loan). A poor credit score, low income, or buying an older vehicle from a dealer in Santa Clara might lead to a higher interest rate. But is a high interest rate so bad? The higher your interest rate, the higher your monthly payment becomes and the more you spend over the term of your loan. Just one or two percent more could mean spending hundreds more on interest.
How Do I Get a Lower Car Loan Interest in Santa Clara, CA?
Online tools like our Interest Rate Estimator will give you an idea of what your rate might look like before you complete an application for a car loan in Santa Clara, CA. If you've put in your information and aren't liking the percentage you see, what can be done to lower it?
The loan term is one element you can control. Most car loans in Santa Clara are available with terms in 12-month increments between 2 years (24 months) and 7 years (84 months). Longer terms will tempt many borrowers because the monthly payment is usually lower. However, longer terms also tend to come with higher interest rates. If you can handle a higher monthly payment, it's smart to choose a shorter term. The Auto Payment Calculator shows what your monthly payments might look like based on different interest rates and terms to help you figure out what you can afford.
If you have less than ideal credit, improving your score could lower your interest rate. Use our Guide to Better Credit for Auto Financing to better understand what determines your credit score and which steps you can take to bring it up fast. Your credit score may take some more time and work, but it's all worth it for getting those lower auto loan rates in California.
Waiting to find the right lender can also help you get a lower rate. While lenders will use the same information, you won't see the same interest rate from each one. You need to compare offers and shop around for the best auto loan rate in Santa Clara, CA — even without a high income or credit score. You shouldn't automatically choose the first offer you get because there might be a better one just around the corner. Keep in mind some lenders will negotiate, so you can take an offer from one lender to another to see if they're willing to beat the interest rate.
Find the Best Auto Loan Rates in Santa Clara, CA with myAutoloan
myAutoloan is dedicated to helping you find the lowest car loan rates in Santa Clara, CA no matter your credit score or the type of car you're buying. We'll show you up to four loans at once so you can find the perfect loan. Complete our secure online application, choose the loan that looks best to you, and visit your Santa Clara dealer to purchase a new car. Apply now to see today's lowest interest rates!