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You are browsing the site archives for January 2020.

Your car (possibly) for the next 15 years

Toyota Highlander
  What will you be driving 15 years from now? Get behind the wheel of one of these models and you may have your answer. Following are the 15 new cars owners are most likely to keep for 15 years or more, according to research – well beyond the seven- to eight-year average. Fans of Toyota will be spoiled for choice. The Japanese automaker dominates with a broad range of models from its lineup. There are 10 in total, headed by the Highlander SUV and including other utilities, along with pickups, passenger cars and a hybrid. Two more badges, Honda… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News

Do car payments build credit?

Car lifted by dollars to clouds
  To a large degree, your credit score reflects how well you repay your debt, so timely payments on a car loan can be an effective way to build your score.* Other things affect your credit standing, too, such as how long you’ve been using credit products, but paying off an auto loan over a period of years demonstrates to a credit reporting agency that you’re a good, or better, lending risk. That has significant potential benefits for the future because next time you need to borrow, whether for a car loan, mortgage or credit card, you’ll likely have an… Read More
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Category: Bad Credit, Financing

When is spring break? Dates, destinations and details to help plan your trip

Students on spring break on seashore
  For many students, spring break, that American college tradition and much anticipated vacation, is the first opportunity in the year to plan a memorable getaway. Checking your spring break dates is the important first step in planning your own special trip, and we’ve included an extensive list of dates for universities and colleges across the United States at the end of this article. Scroll through to find your school, and start thinking about destinations.   Spring break month In general, spring break month is February, March or April, depending on where you are in the country, and the specific… Read More
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Category: Entertainment

Chevy, Kia, Jeep take 2020 car, utility, truck honors

Chevy, Kia, Jeep take 2020 car, utility, truck honors
  Two newcomers and one new take on a classic have claimed the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) titles. The Kia Telluride SUV and Jeep Gladiator truck, both introduced for the 2020 model year, win on their debuts. The redesigned Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sports car is the best car of the year. The awards mark the culmination of months of testing and research by 50 journalists from a range of media in the U.S. and Canada. Run by a non-profit organization, NACTOY are considered among the most prestigious… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News

How to get a second chance on an auto loan

Car parked beside road
  Getting declined for an auto loan can be frustrating but doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks. Often, a rejection decision results from bad credit,* yet there are many lenders who will loan to people with poor credit scores, so it makes sense to look for a second chance. A lender like RoadLoans, for example, accepts applications from consumers with a wide range of credit and has years of experience helping customers move forward in the vehicles they want. Here’s how to go about getting that second chance at an auto loan.   Check your credit report There… Read More
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Category: Bad Credit, Financing

Top-rated cars of 2020 named by Edmunds

Honda Civic
They don’t come any better than these. Edmunds has delivered its verdict on the best new vehicles on the market to help direct your dollars to the most satisfying purchase. The 2020 Top Rated Awards are based on the auto shopping guide’s highest test ratings for performance, comfort, technology, fuel economy and value, and take into account thousands of hours of testing on the track and in the real world. Editors then select best in class from a pool of finalists. “We believe our process is one of the most rigorous and empirical in the industry, which makes these awards… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News

How to use your tax refund for a car purchase

Tax refund for car purchase infographic
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle then you should know something about tax season: tax refunds and car loans are a good match.* That’s because refunds, which have averaged around $3,000 in recent years, can provide many approved buyers with a ready-made down payment on their next ride, or at least a useful chunk of it. In turn, that money down may drop their monthly payment and provide useful savings on interest charges. Take a look at the following infographic to see how a tax refund may be used to get a new or used vehicle in six straightforward… Read More
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Category: Financing

How much should a down payment on a car be?

  • 20 percent for new and 10 percent for used vehicles recommended • Smaller down payments still offer advantages   Whatever you can afford as a down payment on a car will stand you in good stead, but the general view is that you should aim for 20 percent, or at least 10 percent if buying a used vehicle. One of the main reasons for these figures is to offset the depreciation in a car’s value that inevitably follows a purchase. A down payment offers other advantages, too, including improving the chance of loan approval, a lower APR and… Read More
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Category: Bad Credit, Financing

6 ways to improve your credit score before buying a car

Man using laptop to improve credit score
  If you’re relying upon a loan to purchase your next vehicle, you may want to improve your credit score before you apply. Credit score is normally a leading factor for lenders weighing your application and, if approved, it will also affect the terms of the loan offered. Amount financed and APR, for example. In that light, a cared-for score could make the difference between a new set of wheels or no wheels at all, and potentially save you thousands of dollars on finance costs. Here are six ways to get credit savvy and move your score higher.*   1.… Read More
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Category: Bad Credit, Financing

Best used cars to buy under $15K, $20K, $30K – study

Toyota 4Runner SUV
How best to spend your money on a used vehicle this year? Here’s a handy “driver assist” for that buying journey. Auto research site iSeeCars.com has named its best preowned cars for 2020 following analysis of more than 20 million vehicles. Long-term reliability, value retention and a high average safety rating (at least four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) separate these models from the rest. The top picks fall into categories encompassing passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, minivans, sports cars, electrics and hybrids, along with their runners up. These arenas are dominated by Toyota, while… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News