Important Car Financing Terms You Should Know and Understand

Buying a car can be an exciting experience. Whether you are in the market for new or used car financing in Missouri, there is a vast range of options available, and looking for the perfect car, if you take your time, is a lot of fun. However, understanding your financing options can also be confusing. It is important to learn a few commonly-used terms before you begin your search for the perfect vehicle.  

Dealer Sticker Price

This is the price that the dealership is asking for that particular vehicle, and it is literally on a sticker in the car's window. While the price is an important consideration, it is not the only piece of relevant information that can be found on the sticker. If you look closely, you will see the base price of that car model, plus the itemized options that are installed on that car. The sticker will also tell you the specific information about the motor, the type of transmission, and the average fuel mileage for both highway and city driving. You can use these pieces of information to make a more informed choice about what you are looking for in a vehicle.  

MSRP

This is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. In other words, this is the price that the company that made the car thinks it should be sold for. However, most car dealers determine their own price based on their inventory and the demand for that particular type of vehicle in the local market. You will find the MSRP on the car's window sticker.  

Credit Score

Before you apply for financing, it is important that you know and understand your own credit score. Your credit score is what the bank or financing company uses to determine the terms of your loan offer. If your credit score is better than most other people's score, you are likely to get a lower interest rate and a lower payment. However, if your credit score is below average, you are likely to get offered a loan at a higher interest rate and you may be offered a high monthly payment. It is important to know how your credit score stacks up before you apply for financing. If your credit score is too low, it may be a good idea to work on improving it before you apply for financing.  

Down Payment

The down payment is the money you will need to have when you sign your loan, before you take your vehicle home. Usually, a down payment is in the range of 10-20 percent of the total cost of the vehicle you are purchasing. Sometimes it is a good idea to increase the size of your down payment, if you have the money to do so. A larger down payment will give you a lower monthly payment over the life of your car loan. Sometimes, dealerships offer promotions such as no down payment, which are generally available to buyers who have better-than-average credit scores.  

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

You will need to know and understand the amount of interest you will be paying each year before you sign your new car loan. The Annual Percentage Rate can vary greatly, depending upon your credit score, the size of your down payment, the type of vehicle you are purchasing and the bank or financing company that is offering the loan.  

Auto Loan Term

The term of your auto loan refers to the timeframe you have to pay off the loan. Three years is a common auto loan term, although you may be offered a loan that has a shorter term of 1-2 years, or a longer term, such as 5-6 years. Remember that while a longer term will give you a lower monthly payment, you will also end up paying more over the life of your auto loan. That is because the APR will be in effect for each year you pay, so a longer term equates to more interest that you will have to pay over the life of the loan. A shorter term will give you a higher payment each month, but you will own your vehicle more quickly and pay less interest.  

Principal

The term principal refers to the total amount of money you are borrowing from the bank or finance company. In the case of a car loan, the principal is the total purchase price of the vehicle you are buying. Your interest rate will be applied based on the principal.  

Trade-in Value

When you are shopping for a new or used car in Missouri, you may want to trade the vehicle you are currently driving into the dealer. While selling an old car on your own can be a hassle, trading in a car is a simple way to reduce the amount of money you will need to borrow. Be sure to ask us about the trade-in value of the vehicle you currently own.

Easy Subaru Financing and Leasing

At Lee's Summit Subaru, our goal is to make every step of the car buying process as easy and enjoyable as possible. That means more than just helping you to find the Subaru of your dreams-it means being there for you every step of the way, including making it easy to get car loans and Subaru leases in Lees Summit, MO. Looking for auto financing in Kansas City? We've got it, along with a massive selection of new Subaru models! Once you've found the car that's perfect for you, just fill out our secure online financing application. From there, it'll be reviewed by one of our hardworking staff members, who will work in cooperation with a nationwide network of financial partners to secure you the best in new Subaru financing to fit your lifestyle and budget. There are also numerous leasing options and other deals to be found at our Subaru Incentives and Leasing Offers page. New models and incentives are arriving every day, so check back often for all the best deals on new Subaru cars in Kansas City!

Financing for Used Subaru Models Too!

No matter what kind of car you're looking for, our goal at Lee's Summit Subaru is to make sure that you can drive off in the car of your dreams, on a budget that you can afford. So if you're looking for hassle-free financing for used cars in Kansas City, look no further than Lee's Summit Subaru. You can browse our used Subaru inventory, or use our no-obligation CarFinder service to find the pre-owned car that's perfect for you, and then contact a member of our friendly and helpful team to get used Subaru financing that you can afford today!

Subaru Financing Options No Matter Your Credit History

Don't let poor credit or a history of credit problems prevent you from buying the new Subaru or quality pre-owned car of your dreams. At Lee's Summit Subaru, we have Subaru financing options to fit the budget and lifestyle of all our customers, regardless of your financial history! So even if you've got poor credit or other credit problems, come on down to our dealership and browse our vast inventory of new Subaru models and used vehicles today!

Other Financial Tools to Get You Behind the Wheel

Ready to get behind the wheel of a new Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX, Crosstrek, or any other new Subaru or other used car? We've got awesome tools like the Guaranteed Trade-In Program and our no-obligation CarFinder service that can help you find the perfect car for your lifestyle and budget. Got less-than-perfect credit? That's okay, too! At Lee's Summit Subaru, we never let that stand between you and a bright future in a brand new Subaru! In fact, when you purchase your Subaru from us, you'll automatically be entitled to a Free Credit Protection/Monitoring Membership with Kansas City's leading Credit Repair Law Firm.

Got questions about our hassle-free, zero-commitment Subaru financing process? Stop by Lee's Summit Subaru today or give us a call to learn more.