Posted on 03/20/2015 7:13:12 AM PDT by nascarnation
In the past, six-year auto loans were few and far between. Today, more of those loans are being issued, with seven- and eight-year loans gaining popularity.
NPR reports such loans are helping to fuel a boom in U.S. new-car sales, with one-third of the loans lasting 74 months and beyond. AutoPacific analyst Ed Kim says the cars are one of the reasons for the long loans:
Consumers are demanding a lot more technology in their vehicles, infotainment technologies. Theres also a lot more safety features that are in vehicles right now. Emissions and efficiency technology that are in vehicles right now, that are making vehicles cost a lot more.
Kim adds that the main driver is that most consumers are still crawling out of the Great Recession, which Experian Automotives Melinda Zabritski says isnt much of a problem as far as lending goes. She says that while it would be sensible to take on 36- or 48-month loans on a new vehicle, the average consumer just cant afford that.
Critics counter that the long-term loans could hurt consumers and automakers alike in the near- and long-term. Consumer advocate Mike Sante states that those who are taking out those loans have no business doing so in the first place, and should buy a less expensive new or used vehicle with a loan of no more than four years. Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel, whose company offers 36- and 48-month loans, says loans beyond five years are too long, and adds that he hopes his competitors come to their senses.
#22 Buy at a police auction. You might get lucky and get one with a hidden compartment with either money or some drugs inside.
I have a 60 month loan on my Tacoma at .99%. Why would I want to pay it off early? I am much better investing my money than having a larger payment just to pay it off in three years.
I boueght a new Jeep at the end of 2012 base price was 19,000 with a 1000 rebate, for a basic jeep patriot no power seats/door locks no navigation or sat radio, just basic, then they added the anti theft lo-jack, a car towing package i didnt want i have AAA, and a repair package i didnt need, tax licence put the price to 30k.. so a 6 yr loan will be a norm
>>Then I see some trashy looking people in those cars, and I really wonder, how the heck can they afford such a vehicle.<<
Taxpayers foot the bill for their rent, food, and utilities. You’d be amazed what disposable income you have, when the necessities are paid for by the hard-working suckers!
My dad had a little Chevy S-10 that he bought brand new in ‘87. It finally died in 2003 at over 300,000 miles. He definitely got his money’s worth out of it.
My dad had a Mazda with a rotary engine and used to take our flag football team out for pizza after our games, 8-10 kids piled in the back and nobody cared.
Ford had the Courier and Chevy had the Luv.
I was in a Mini Truck Club, I had 2 Dodge D-50’s, 1 I made into a hardtop convertible and the other I added a Hydraulic tilt bed and a V-6, both were lowered.
I don't get the thrill of having something really nice--knowing it is completely temporary.
My sister and her husband are of this ilk. They have an entire life history of boom and bust. When they are on a boom cycle, it's Range Rovers, nice properties, etc. and they are completely arrogant about it.
Last bust cycle, they lost everything. Had several HELOCs on the house, walked away from the house. Loaded up several credit cards, walked away. Sent their kids to very expensive colleges--haven't paid a dime on the student loans they took out. They had 4 horses. It was ridiculous.
I get bill collectors calling me all the time looking for them.
I don't think they had $100 in the bank last time they crashed.
Currently, they are back on an upswing. The arrogance is slowly creeping back in. They NEVER learn. It's pretty amazing to watch.
Well of course you have good credit, and your path is a valid one. Folks with lousy credit don’t get those good terms. That’s the difference, I believe.
Yea I have never understood as to why some people feel the need to live out of their means.
I know some rednecks here who are valued at millions because of their land and yet drive beat up pick ups and don’t care about money and then there are others here who feel the need to have that massive house, fancy vehicle, and spend a lot on their cocktail parties while everything including socks for their kids goes on the never never credit card.
Lot of countries overseas are the same way - very expensive vehicles and clothes - ghetto apartments...I agree it’s weird what people will think is important/not important some times.
True - most don’t keep though, they trade in & are so buried, that the negative equity rolls into next loan.
You can do pretty well buying used higher demand imports. If the service has been done, and you don't put a bunch of hard miles on them, you can usually sell for close to what you paid for them.
The punchline there is if you aren’t keeping a car long enough to payoff the loan, regardless of loan length, you should lease.
A lot of it depends on the life you lead. If I was one of those folks with an hour plus my car would be awesome. And if I was never at home all I’d want from it a spot for the bed and clothes.
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