Financing

To get the vehicle you want, and the right credit terms, having a high credit score has been extremely important over the past couple of years. With credit tight, lots of consumers who would have been green-lighted in the past have been simply turned away—or pointed toward high-risk lenders...Read More»

Despite rising costs of financing and falling household income, cars are more affordable than they were this past winter and spring. That's what Comerica Bank found in its latest Auto Affordability Index, which looked at vehicle purchase price, household income indicators, and other factors for the...Read More»

If you're just getting in the market for a new car, one of the first things you should consider—along with what kind of car you want, and what you can afford—is whether you should finance or pay cash. While more than 90 percent of car buyers finance their new vehicle in some form...Read More»

At a time when credit isn't taken for granted the way that it was just a few years ago, some are rediscovering the idea that new cars don't have to be financed. If you've been good at saving money, you know that it hasn't been earning much interest anyway. But does taking out that bank check or fat...Read More»

Chrysler has just inked a new partnership with U.S. Bank to expand leasing options. Starting this month, a new leasing deal will be offered on new Chrysler 300, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Liberty models. While...Read More»

Remember the paper boy in Better Off Dead -- the psycho tyke who chased John Cusak around, demanding his two dollars? Yeah, we all laughed about the little dude's persistence, but truth of the matter is, creditors like that kid make their living by being tenacious, tracking down borrowers wherever...Read More»

General Motors today acquired subprime lender AmeriCredit, as part of a $3.5 billion deal that will help extend loans and leases to those with blemished credit. Before you say "here we go again" and work yourself into a frenzy thinking that government-owned GM shouldn't go into the business of...Read More»

The USAA iPhone app does a lot of nifty stuff. Apart from letting users manage their USAA accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks remotely, the app also provides many benefits for drivers, including roadside assistance and a handy checklist for folks who've been in accidents. And starting next...Read More»

Although we still haven't yet seen what exactly what the soon-to-be-signed financial reform bill will do for consumers, we already know who won big: auto dealers. Auto-title lending is the only significant auto-related area of the financial industry that's targeted for tighter regulation under the...Read More»

2009 was a year that many would like to forget, and that goes double for the auto industry. In China, however, 2009 was a boom time for car makers -- a year of steep government subsidies, an auto market that saw 45% growth, and a frenzied population of buyers, many of whom still find owning a car a...Read More»

When it comes to personal finance, there are three things we know for sure: 1. America's love affair with credit cards has not gone well. 2. By and large, Americans seem to have realized that and are now spending more wisely. 3. Thanks to the internet, there are a number of free tools to help them...Read More»

Living without regret: it's something we try to do every day here at TheCarConnection, and Chrysler's been following our lead. Earlier this year, the automaker allowed buyers of its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans to return their new vehicles within 60 days, if they...Read More»

There's one easy way to tell when manufacturers are ready to sweep showrooms clean of the current model-year crop of vehicles, and usher in the new year: the "special event" sales pitch. This week it's Ford readying dealer lots for its revamped 2011 models, which include the kicky new Mustang and...Read More»

When General Motors sold off control of GMAC, it lost more than its in-house financing arm. It lost the ability to offer loans to a broad range of consumers, particularly subprime borrowers. As a result, GM also lost market share. Now, the automaker is chatting up two major Wall Street players --...Read More»

Chrysler this week renewed its generous zero-interest financing and cash-back offers for the month of June. The automaker had already strengthened its incentive offerings for May, with either no-interest financing on many of its models or up to $4,000 cash back. The sweet zero-percent financing...Read More»

If a deal is too good to be true it probably is; and you shouldn't talk monthly payments at the lot before you decide on a car and a price. Don't forget those two valuable pieces of advice at the used-car lot; you'll still need them as it looks like shady lenders won't need to duck for cover after...Read More»

As the auto industry gradually crawls back toward a recovery, car shoppers this winter and spring might have been stymied by one quite significant roadblock: rising interest rates. Although plenty of deals have been had, higher interest rates and more difficult-to-secure financing have been...Read More»

Chrysler today announced a more aggressive incentives program for May, including the potential for no-interest financing on much of its product line or cash-back offers of up to $4,000. For up to 36 or 60 months, depending on the vehicle, Chrysler is offering zero-percent financing, arranged...Read More»