What Should You Do When You Find Your Dream Car?

What happens after you’ve found the ultimate ride when car shopping? Now, it’s time to explore your auto finance options at Hilltop Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM (CDJR) to see how you can cruise home in this vehicle at a price that works for your budget and plan. But where should you begin? And how do you even finance a car? No need to worry, as today, we’ll help guide you through the basics to help ensure you score the ultimate terms for your needs. Don’t forget to finance your next vehicle today at Hilltop Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM near Oakland, CA, for some of the region’s most flexible auto loans.

Before We Begin…How Does Financing Work?

When you buy your next car, you don’t need to pay the full price upfront—instead, you can apply for an auto loan, which allows you to make a down payment followed by a series of monthly payments for a set term length until you fully pay off the car.

However, before you start signing paperwork, you’ll want to give a few numbers some special attention—starting with the term length and annual percentage rate (APR), as these values often go hand in hand. You’ll usually hear the APR referred to as the interest rate—and the actual amount you’ll pay depends on factors like your credit history, down payment, and type of ride you’re thinking of purchasing. When considering this number, you’ll want to see how it works in relation to the term rate, or the length of time you’ll pay for your loan (usually 36 – 72 months). Usually, the longer the rate, the less you’ll pay monthly—but you’ll also need to factor in your APR to see what you’ll pay in the long-term sense. So, for easy math, let’s assume you want a $30,000 auto loan with a 3% APR rate and no down payment. A five-year term length would lower monthly payments by $125—but you’ll pay $900 more when compared to a four-year term by the end of your loan since you’ll have an extra year of interest attached. So, always give special consideration to these numbers—and for extra help, ask one of our car finance experts in Richmond, CA, for advice tailor-fit to your needs and situation.

Where Can You Apply for an Auto Loan?

To get started, head to our online pre-qualification application, and answer a few basic questions to get an idea of auto loans you’ll get approved for—don’t worry, this is only a soft credit pull and won’t impact your credit score. Next, when you get an idea of the cars and terms that will fit your budget, visit the Hilltop Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM finance center in person and fill out our finance application to get approved for your loan.

Financing Made Easy: Start at Hilltop CDJR

Your dream car calls—see how you can fit this ride into your budget by applying for financing at Hilltop Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, your trusted auto finance center in the San Francisco Bay area. We’re also here to help with the full process if you have questions about the paperwork or want to explore some of our vehicle finance offers—and that’s only the beginning of how guest services rank first with us.