Is it smart to finance a car for 72 months?

Is a 72-month car loan worth it? Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go.


Is 72-month car loan a good idea?

A 72-month car loan can make sense in some cases, but it typically only applies if you have good credit. When you have bad credit, a 72-month auto loan can sound appealing due to the lower monthly payment, but, in reality, you're probably going to pay more than you bargained for.

What are the pros and cons of a 72-month auto loan?

Here are the financial pros and cons of taking on a 72-month car loan or an 84-month car note.
  • Pro: Getting lower monthly payments. ...
  • Pro: Achieving greater financial flexibility. ...
  • Con: Paying additional interest. ...
  • Con: Having negative equity or being “upside down” in the car loan. ...
  • Con: Buying more car than you can afford.


How long is too long to finance a car?

While you can finance a car for up to 96 months, how long you finance a car really depends on your unique needs, wants and cash flow. Some shoppers opt for a shorter loan term that comes with higher monthly payments and reduces the total cost of the loan.

Is it better to finance a car for longer?

A longer loan term means you are more likely to be upside down on the loan at some point in the future. Being upside on an auto loan means you owe more than the car is worth. This is because a larger portion of the monthly payments early in the loan will go toward paying interest rather than the principal owed.


Is it smart to do a 72-month car loan?



What is the smartest way to finance a car?

How to finance a car the smart way
  1. Check your credit score before you go to the dealership. ...
  2. If your credit score isn't perfect, get financing quotes before you go. ...
  3. Keep the term as short as you can afford. ...
  4. Put 20% down. ...
  5. Pay for sales tax, fees, and “extras” with cash. ...
  6. Don't fall for the gap insurance speech.


What is the best loan length for a car?

According to most personal finance experts, the optimal length for a car loan is 48 months, although some are upping this length to 60 months due to the increased cost of vehicles and lower interest rates.

What is considered a high car payment?

According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.


How long does the average person finance a car?

Average auto loan terms

The most common terms are 24 to 60 months, but 72- and 84-month terms are becoming more common. There is no perfect term, and it is instead specific to your budget and needs. A longer term means lower monthly payments, but a higher cost overall.

What is the most common car loan length?

What is the Average Car Loan Length? The most common loan length is currently 72 months for both new and used vehicles. The average length of a car loan changes from time to time, and 72 months is a bit higher than in previous decades.

Why not finance a car 72 months?

Is a 72-month car loan worth it? Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go.


How can I get out of a 72 month car loan?

5 ways to get out of your car loan
  1. Pay off the car. The best way to get rid of a car loan is to pay off the balance of the loan. ...
  2. Refinance your loan. ...
  3. Sell the car. ...
  4. Renegotiate the terms of your loan. ...
  5. Trade in the car. ...
  6. Voluntary repossession. ...
  7. Default on the loan.


How to pay off a 6 year car loan in 4 years?

How to Pay Off Your Car Loan Early
  1. PAY HALF YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENT EVERY TWO WEEKS. ...
  2. ROUND UP. ...
  3. MAKE ONE LARGE EXTRA PAYMENT PER YEAR. ...
  4. MAKE AT LEAST ONE LARGE PAYMENT OVER THE TERM OF THE LOAN. ...
  5. NEVER SKIP PAYMENTS. ...
  6. REFINANCE YOUR LOAN. ...
  7. DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR RATE.


What is the average 72 month car loan rate?

The average interest rate for a 72-month new car loan is about 5.4% and 9.2% for a used car loan. It's 5.2% for a 60-month new car loan.


Is 7 year car loan too long?

An 84-month auto loan can mean lower monthly payments than you'd get with a shorter-term loan. But having as long as seven years to pay off your car isn't necessarily a good idea. You can find a number of lenders that offer auto loans over an 84-month period — and some for even longer.

Is a 3 year car loan worth it?

Shorter term car loans

This also means that you'll be in debt for a shorter period of time (winning) and you won't pay as much interest! A three-year car loan would be beneficial if you have some bigger financial goals on the horizon (such as buying a house) and don't want to be in debt for too long.

What is the average car payment in 2022?

Average monthly car payment

By the beginning of 2022, the U.S. saw the nationwide average car payment reach $648 for new vehicles. This was a 12.31% increase from the previous year — and it will likely continue to inflate further due to rising average car prices and the overall rise of inflation.


What is a normal car payment?

The average monthly car loan payment in the U.S. is $700 for new vehicles and $525 for used ones originated in the third quarter of 2022, according to credit reporting agency Experian. It's worth noting that recent reports from other industry analysts place the average monthly car payment even higher for new vehicles.

Is 600 a month a high car payment?

Auto loan payments are calculated using several factors, including your credit score, the APR you've qualified for, the length of the loan term, and more. However, given the average rates and payments today, any amount above $600 can be considered too much to pay on your car loan.

Is $900 a month too much for a car?

Experts say your total car expenses, including monthly payments, insurance, gas and maintenance, should be about 20 percent of your take-home monthly pay. For non-math wizards, like me – Let's say your monthly paycheck is $4,000. Then a safe estimate for car expenses is $800 per month.


How much car can I afford if I make 50k?

How much car can I afford if I make $50,000? While it depends on factors like your credit score, loan terms, down payment and any potential trade-in value, you may find that a vehicle in the $20,000 to $35,000 range will fit your budget.

Will my car payment go down if I pay extra?

Paying extra on your auto loan principal won't decrease your monthly payment, but there are other benefits. Paying on the principal reduces the loan balance faster, helps you pay off the loan sooner and saves you money.

What is the 20 4/10 Rule for car loans?

Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses. These expenses include any money you put towards your new vehicle, including gas, insurance, and loan payments.


What APR is too high for a car?

A high APR (“annual percentage rate”) car loan is one that charges higher-than-average interest rates. The legal limit for car loans is around 16% APR, but you will find lenders that get away with charging rates of 25% or more.

Is buying a new car worth it 2022?

Lower Prices: Though it may seem counterintuitive, buying a new car can save you money in the long run. Buying a new car in 2022 means not only getting a lower price but also getting a vehicle that's under warranty. This means that if something goes wrong with your car, you won't have to pay for repairs.