When it comes to auto loans, the average term continues to climb, according to a recent auto trends report from Experian. The credit agency indicates that the average auto loan term for used cars is more than 68 months, according to the latest data.
That’s more than two years longer than any auto loan money expert Clark Howard wants you to take!
Auto Loan Terms Are Getting Longer
3 Reasons Why Long Auto Loans Are Bad News
Longer auto loans are attractive to a lot of consumers because of the lower monthly payments, but there are several drawbacks to them.
1. They’re More Costly
How much you pay in interest has a lot to do with how long your auto loan is and the principal balance.
Here’s one example from MortgageCalculator.org. “A $20,000 loan at 5% for 60 months (5 years) will cost you a total of $22,645.48, whereas the same loan at 3% will cost you $21,562.43. That’s a savings of $1,083.05.”
2. You’re Likely To Finance More Money
One thing about stretching out your auto loan for a number of years is that you’ll pay that much more money.
It’s always good to be smart about taking on debt, but because of the inflated vehicle market, Clark wants you to be especially careful about financing anything, including a car, right now.
“Unless you are sitting there with tons of cash, you don’t want to be in a position where you’re taking on new debt obligations. I don’t care how good the deal is, and I’m the deal guy,” Clark says. “Don’t buy ‘deals’ that would put you into debt.”
3. You Could End Up ‘Upside Down’
The longer your loan term, the greater likelihood that you could end up owing more than the car is worth, a term referred to as being “upside down.” With a shorter loan, your vehicle will likely retain more of its value by the time you’ve paid it off, compared to a longer loan.
Because of depreciation, your vehicle’s value will typically decrease as it ages, although how much depends on many factors. But you know what won’t decrease? Your car loan.
Regardless of a car’s value, if you still owe money on it, you’ll either have to pay off the existing loan or transfer it to your new loan. And that’s not a good scenario for your wallet.
Clark Howard: 42 Months Should Be Your Maximum Auto Loan Term
Clark Howard has long advised people that shorter is better when it comes to auto loan terms.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are multiple reasons why you should keep any automobile loan length to a minimum.
If you’re currently saddled with a long auto loan, Clark wants you to know that, if you can qualify for a lower interest rate, you should jump on it — as long as it doesn’t involve extending your length.
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