I guess my credit still sucks

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
I bought a car over a year ago and got stuck with a 12% rate because my credit score was 575. Yeah, I know that's bad. I didn't pay a credit card on time for a while when I was homeless during college, and one of my student loans had no payments for a bit because they tried collecting before I graduated. I've payed everything on time for the last two years, but that stuff is haunting me.

Now I have a $50k job, my credit score is up to 685, and I still can't get a decent car loan. The Subie dealer said 10%. :frown:

I thought I should be getting a much better rate by now. What can I do to make it better besides contue paying everything on time?
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
You thought right. You should be able to get a better rate by now (even though interest rates have come up a bit in the past 2 years). I advise you NOT take the 10% from the Subie dealer and go get your own financing, preferably through a local credit union.
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
81
Short of finding a way to get those bad credit marks changed, there isn't much you can do.

I think the only way you could do that is to contact the creditors and look into what you have to do to get them removed, or if they are accounts that are still active, kick ass with them... pay well in advance, make them notice you making payments. I dunno.
 

Why are you already buying another car? You bought one A YEAR AGO. Finally discovered that a Miata is too girly?
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
You went from 575 to 685??? You better check again. Over 670 is awesome credit, and over 680 is elite. You wouldn't be getting a 12% rate with 685.
 

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
81
Sounds about right. I took out an 18.5k loan at 8% and I have a credit rating of 730.
 

QuitBanningMe

Banned
Mar 2, 2005
5,038
2
0
Originally posted by: Vic
You thought right. You should be able to get a better rate by now (even though interest rates have come up a bit in the past 2 years). I advise you NOT take the 10% from the Subie dealer and go get your own financing, preferably through a local credit union.

Agreed.


Not sure what the rates are these days but a 685 should be able to get you all but the lowest rate.
Also the dealer is probably holding a few points.
 
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
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My credit score is 670 and I have only had a credit for 1 yr. Actually I have like 4 now, but my parents charge EVERYTHING to my card. They basically drag me to go shopping so I can max out my card. Maybe that's w hy I get instant approval for $10k credit line cards =P
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,350
1,860
126
Originally posted by: Vic
You thought right. You should be able to get a better rate by now (even though interest rates have come up a bit in the past 2 years). I advise you NOT take the 10% from the Subie dealer and go get your own financing, preferably through a local credit union.


What he Said .....

(First thing I would do on Monday is look through company policies and/or ask the boss if the is a credit union benefit for employees. If there is you will probably not have much trouble getting a loan at < 8 percent for a car.)
 

ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
My credit score is about in your range and I qualified for 4.75%@5 years and 5.25%@6 years through my credit union. NEVER go with financing through the dealer unless you can't get it anywhere else and absolutely need the car.
 

QuitBanningMe

Banned
Mar 2, 2005
5,038
2
0
Originally posted by: ZaneNBK
My credit score is about in your range and I qualified for 4.75%@5 years and 5.25%@6 years through my credit union. NEVER go with financing through the dealer unless you can't get it anywhere else and absolutely need the car.


I got 0%....does your CU offer that rate?

There are tons of financing incentives that are better than CUs.

 

RichPLS

Senior member
Nov 21, 2004
477
0
0
Credit is GREAT if you are gonna die before repayment ;)
Otherwise, pay with cold cash, the tender of champions . . .
Keep the money an pay bills as late as possible.

I have bought 3 new extended cab trucks, a house and a robot surveying instrument ($40,000) and all were paid off withinin two years.
 

mwtgg

Lifer
Dec 6, 2001
10,491
0
0
Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
Originally posted by: ZaneNBK
My credit score is about in your range and I qualified for 4.75%@5 years and 5.25%@6 years through my credit union. NEVER go with financing through the dealer unless you can't get it anywhere else and absolutely need the car.


I got 0%....does your CU offer that rate?

There are tons of financing incentives that are better than CUs.

What is the big fascination with Credit Unions, anyway? My bank treats me right so I really have no reason to switch, but damn you guys are Credit Union whores.
 

Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
2,041
0
0
Originally posted by: mwtgg
What is the big fascination with Credit Unions, anyway? My bank treats me right so I really have no reason to switch, but damn you guys are Credit Union whores.

Bank of America offered me something like 11% on a car loan (basically they don't want the business.) My local credit union offered me 5.35% for 60 months. They filled out all the paperwork, mailed in the sales tax and didn't want the first payment for 30 days. In short, they treat you right and don't play games.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
I just checked my credit today. I got my first credit card about 2 years ago, and now I have 3 cards. My score is 693.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: jumpr
Why are you already buying another car? You bought one A YEAR AGO. Finally discovered that a Miata is too girly?

No, it just won't handle the upcoming winter. I went to a more reputable Subaru dealer out near my parents and they gave me 4.9%. :)
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: Fritzo
You went from 575 to 685??? You better check again. Over 670 is awesome credit, and over 680 is elite. You wouldn't be getting a 12% rate with 685.

682 to be exact.
 

Oakenfold

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2001
5,740
0
76
Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
Originally posted by: ZaneNBK
My credit score is about in your range and I qualified for 4.75%@5 years and 5.25%@6 years through my credit union. NEVER go with financing through the dealer unless you can't get it anywhere else and absolutely need the car.


I got 0%....does your CU offer that rate?

There are tons of financing incentives that are better than CUs.

0% is great as long as you aren't giving up rebates...:)
If you did give up a rebate it may not have been the better choice.

To the OP, like VIC said go talk with your local CU, you should be able to score a better rate than that.
 

DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
1
81
try penfed? get your own pre-approved car loan before you go to the deal, so you can negotiate with them.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
You're obviously looking in the wrong places for a car loan. Try a local credit union.