bmacd - I'd be really interested to see what your promissary note and loan disclosure agreement says because $1,000 is quite excessive.
Call your credit union where your loan is currently financed and ask them these questions:
1) What is your interest rate?
2) What is your term (48, 60, 72 months, etc.)?
3) What is your current principal balance (NOT PAYOFF BALANCE)?
4) Are there any outstanding charges such as loan fees, late fees, etc.?
5) What is your payoff balance (principal, plus outstanding interest plus any outstanding fees)?
6) Is your loan a rule of 78's or simple interest loan?
7) When was your last payment made and for how much?
8) From that last payment how much $ went to interest, how much $ went to fees and how much $ went to principal.
9) Has your credit union tacked on any VSI insurance to your car? I can't remember what it means but it's when you don't have auto insurance, they go through a company like Progressive and tack on their own insurance cover which is VERY EXPENSIVE!
After you get answers to those questions it should help us understand a little better why there is such a huge difference.