What is the Deal with Bad Credit and Auto Loan Rates?

The interest rate for bad credit car buyers will always be higher than a good credit individual. The primary reason being that a lender is taking a risk by lending money to someone who has difficulty in repaying the money or maintaining a healthy credit score. Before you step into a dealership to check out car models, you should check your credit score. It is the key element in deciding the amount of interest rate that you will have to pay for your car. Bad credit buyers should think one step ahead and ascertain the average interest rate according to their credit score in order to avoid any surprises later.

Bad Credit Score and Auto Loan Rates: How Bad is Really Bad?

Any credit score above 620 is considered to be decent and will attract reasonable interest rates. However, for people who have a credit score of 620 or lower, the credit score is considered to be poor. According to nerdwallet.com, a subprime credit score, which ranges from 501 to 600, will give you an interest rate of 16.14% for a used car and 11.89% for a new car.

While a deep subprime credit score of 300-500 gives you an interest rate of 19.98% for a used car and 14.41% for a new car. For credit challenged people, it is ideal that you build your credit score and bring it close to 601-660 so that you can achieve a lower interest rate on the purchase of your car.

Bad Credit Auto Financing Tips that Will Save You Dollars!

1. Check & Improve your Score

Before you start thinking about the details of your car, it is wise to check your credit score. Knowledge about your credit score will give you an estimated idea about the interest rate. If you have time before you apply for your auto loan, always take actions that will boost your score and help you to negotiate lower interest rates. Display a strong payment history by clearing your debt. Pay off credit card balances and keep them low. You should also avoid taking any new credit until the auto loan is approved.

2. Short Loan Term is Favorable

If you have suffered from bad credit history, do not go for a long-term auto loan. A term of 72 months or more will force you to shell out more money in the long run. It is because you will have to pay a higher amount towards the interest. Alternatively, choose a shorter term to reduce your financial charges significantly. An ideal term period is close to 60 months. However, bad credit auto buyers can even go for 48 month or 36 months to get a competitive interest rate.

3. The New Vs. Used Debate

The difference between a new car and a used car can be felt in the pricing as well as the auto financing rates. One may argue that new car loans come with lower interest rates and so it is wise to choose a brand-new model. However, the high cost of new cars can cause trouble. Individuals with bad credit should opt for used cars as the pricing is affordable and approvals are easy to obtain on pre-owned cars. Bad credit will hike up your interest rates than normal. Choose to go for a new car only if you are ready to make significant down payment.

Improve Credit Score to Decrease Auto Loan Rates

While an interest rate is decided on multiple factors such as the amount of the auto loan, term period and down payment, the most important factor is your credit score. Always make an effort to keep a consistently good credit score. Once you improve your credit score, your interest rates will automatically decrease and you can move forward to purchase your favorite car.

Bad Credit Car Purchase: Private Seller Vs. Auto Dealership

At some point, we all seem confused between various options. Whether it is purchasing a house or a car, we are always looking for options that suit our needs and requirements. Amidst all the exploring, the most important question to answer is: What are your options for purchasing a car? Private sellers and auto dealerships are two sources that can help you to buy a car. The place of purchase plays an important role, especially when you are suffering from bad credit. Understanding the options in detail will help you to choose the correct option for your car.

Measure Your Car Buying Options When Bad Credit Lingers

Listing down the pros and cons of buying your car from a private seller or a dealership will give you a holistic understanding and simplify your car buying process.

1. Buying a Car from an Individual

Pros: The biggest advantage of buying your car from a private seller is competitive prices. You can obtain the best possible price because when you purchase a car from a private seller, you eliminate all middlemen. Another benefit for a bad credit car buyer is the ease of auto loan approval. Lenders approve bad credit auto loans for buying a car from a private party due to the low risk of used cars. As a bad credit individual, purchasing a car and getting an auto loan is a positive step towards building a better financial future.

Cons: A drawback of purchasing your used car from a private dealer is the lack of guaranty on the vehicle. Replacing a car part or expecting after-sales services is difficult when you buy from a private seller. While you do get the lowest price on the car, you will have to do the groundwork for documentation, vehicle registration and solve DMV-related issues on your own. Although, you have to put in some extra effort due to bad credit and obtain a car in return, the efforts are not in vain.

2. Choosing an Auto Dealership to make a Purchase

Pros: Purchasing from a dealership usually means that you are buying a reliable car. Vehicle condition is one aspect that you can be certain of when purchasing your car from a dealership. Additionally, if you have narrowed down your car choice, you can get your hands on the exact make and model of the car. You will be getting the warranty and proper documentation of the car easily.

Cons: One drawback of dealerships is that the dealers usually have an in-house financing team that can provide you with costly interest rates. Another limitation of purchasing your car from a dealership is the price hike of the car as well as less room for negotiation. Also, getting bad credit auto loan approval, especially for a new car, can be a difficult task. Therefore, it becomes a cumbersome process for people with bad credit to get pre-approved auto loans or even effective interest rates, at the least.

Verdict: Choose what works for you!

A bad credit history does mean it’s the end of the road. A private seller can assist you in buying a car. If you do not have the time to do all the legwork, a dealership can be of help to you. Whether you buy a car from a private party or a dealership, make sure that you choose an inexpensive and reliable car model. It is suggested that you purchase a used car to reduce the cost of the loan. Buying a car can have a huge impact on your financial situation. So, learn your needs to make an informed decision.

Can the Police Draw Your Blood Without a Warrant? Supreme Court to Decide

The United States Supreme Court recently decided to hear a case that could have an impact on the approximately 1.4 million people who are arrested nationwide for driving while intoxicated each year. The legal issue before the court is whether those who have been stopped on suspicion of DWI have Fourth Amendment protection against forced blood tests.

The case, Missouri v. McNeely, began when a highway patrol officer in Missouri pulled over Tyler McNeely for speeding. During the stop, the officer claimed that McNeely’s behavior gave him cause to believe that he was intoxicated. The officer ordered McNeely out of the car and administered a field sobriety test; McNeely performed the test poorly. Due to McNeely’s performance on the test, the officer asked him to submit to a blood test.

McNeely did not consent to the blood test. Because of this, the officer drove him to a clinic and instructed a staff member to draw blood from McNeely, over his protests. When the results of the blood test came back, they showed that McNeely’s blood alcohol level was nearly two times the legal limit. As a result, McNeely was arrested for DWI.

Before the trial, McNeely’s lawyers made a motion to exclude the blood test results from being used as evidence at the trial. To support the motion, the attorneys argued that the blood test results are inadmissible as evidence, because no search warrant was issued.

Prosecutors said that the blood test was admissible as evidence. They argued that in the time it would take to procure a warrant, the alcohol in McNeely’s system would be metabolized. They argued that officers were legally justified in drawing the blood without a warrant, because a delay would cause a destruction of evidence and would weaken their claim that McNeely was driving drunk.

The Missouri trial judge ruled in favor of McNeely’s attorneys, prohibiting the blood test results from being used as evidence. When the prosecution appealed the decision, the appeals court reversed the trial court’s ruling. However, when the case was taken to the Missouri Supreme Court, it ruled that that it was not legally justified for the officer to order the blood test without a warrant, because there were no special facts or “exigent circumstances” that would legally justify the hasty drawing of the blood.

Across the nation, courts are split on whether the dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream creates a sufficient emergency to legally justify the drawing of blood without a warrant. Since the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, it will make the ultimate decision and resolve the nationwide differences on this legal point.

Ruling’s effect on Texas law

The effect that the Supreme Court’s ruling will have on Texas law is unclear. In the past, it has been common for certain counties in Texas to implement a “no refusal” weekend program where drivers accused of DUI are not allowed to refuse blood tests. However, due to the fact that the blood drawn under this program is pursuant to a judge-issued search warrant, it is fairly unlikely that the McNeely decision will affect the legality of such programs.

In Texas, a DWI suspect’s blood may be drawn without a warrant for various DWI offenses such as third offense drunk driving and intoxication assault or manslaughter cases. However, the issue in the McNeely case is limited to whether the natural metabolism of blood is sufficient justification to allow warrantless drawing of blood. Since the McNeely case does not address whether such laws are constitutional, it is unclear if the decision will have any effect on this Texas law.

The McNeely case is not expected to be decided until spring of 2013. However the court rules, drunk driving will remain a serious offense in Texas and carry significant penalties. If you have been arrested for DWI, it is vital for you to protect your rights. An experienced criminal defense attorney can put together a strong and effective defense and work to obtain the best possible outcome.

Article provided by The Shapiro Law Firm
Visit us at www.theshapirolawfirm.com