SiriusXM’s Auto Trends with JeffCars.com Presents an Educational Car-Buying Clinic (East Point, GA)

 SiriusXM’s Auto Trends with JeffCars.com Presents an Educational Car-Buying Clinic*

What’s Covered:

Buying New Vs Pre-Owned Vs Certified

How to Find a Reliable Vehicle

Electric Vehicles Vs Hybrids

'Auto Trends' Discusses How The Trump Presidency Will Impact The Auto Industry

Tesla Vehicles (Photo Credit: Tesla)

As a result of the November 6, 2024, Presidential election results, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program in North America, will take a look ahead as to how the auto industry and car buyers will be impacted.

1st Quarter Auto Financing Trends: Latest Finance, Credit Score And Car Payments

For new and used car buyers in the market for a vehicle, we've got the latest data from Experian Automotive, a division of Experian credit, the latest car financing trends based on the first quarter of 2018.

New Car Stats

• The average new vehicle loan: $31,455, up $921 from 2017
• The average new vehicle monthly payment: $523, up $15 from 2017
• The average new vehicle interest rate: 5.17%
• The average new vehicle credit score: 716

'Auto Trends' Radio Guests: WalletHub.com And Quality Guru J.D. Power

Wallet Hub

Wallet Hub joins us to discuss the best financing and leasing options based on their Q1 2018 Auto Financing Report. Consumer research and ratings firm J.D. Power has released its January auto sales forecast, and the trends aren’t looking great for the industry. This month’s sales will fall for the second year in a row, with a 2.7% decrease from last year. But lower January sales are usually

Challenged Credit: Six Steps to Secure a Ride with Limited Credit

While the economy may be slowly turning around and credit restrictions has eased up, according to a recent article in The Detroit News, there are still numerous consumers whose credit has been dinged due to a job loss, a foreclosure, a couple of missed credit card payments and possibly a loan default. With this being the case, the subprime market has rebounded again after being on lock-down due to banks freezing lending. The subprime market is back, catering to customers who no longer have credit (beacon) scores in the high 600 to 700 range.

If you found yourself being apart of the new-class of car buyers whose credit scores have tanked and you're in need of a ride, here are a few tips to steer you in the right direction:

• Bring a hefty down-payment to the table. The more you bring to the table, the lower the risk for the lender. Consider putting down a 20 to 25 percent down payment. This will not only lower your payment, but show the lender that you might be less likely to default on the loan being that you have skin in the game.
• Shop around for financing. Even with questionable credit one should shop around for the lowest possible interest rate based on your credit score. In case you still end up with a high rate, make timely payments so that this puts you on track for a lower rate on your next vehicle.
• Consider securing credit from a credit union, before going to a dealer. This gives you, the consumer, more negotiation power to hopefully secure a lower rate.
• Avoid car mortgages, which are car loans that could stretch-out for 6, 7 or even 8 years. If you're financing a vehicle for that length of time, you're buying more vehicle than what you can necessarily afford.
• Consider paying cash for a vehicle. While this may circumvent the whole financing game, it won't help in rebuilding your credit.
• Consider a new vehicle over a used vehicle. Lenders may offer a lower rate on a newer vehicle and may be willing to finance a new vehicle. However, you may have to consider adjusting your standards. Remember you working on rebuilding your credit. At this stage in the game, image just isn't that important. If you're image conscious, ask yourself: Am I more concern about my image or rebuilding my credit?
• Tune in to Auto Trends with JeffCars.com. And follow us at twitter @JeffCars. This weekly show will keep you abreast of everything automotive, while also empowering, inspiring and informing our listeners. The weekly conversation goes beyond traditional car talk.