• Did You Know? The credit union offers GAP and extended warranties just like dealerships. However, since we’re not-for-profit, our prices for these protections are typically much lower than those at dealerships.
• Leasing cars is becoming popular again. With a lease, your payments may be slightly lower, but you will not build equity in the vehicle to use as a trade-in later. Plus, with a lease, you will ALWAYS have a car payment.
• Ready to Buy a New Car? Before the dealership appraises your trade-in, have it professionally detailed. This small investment could significantly increase the value of your trade and help you save more on your new car.
• When buying a car, think of it as an investment. Your goal should be to pay the vehicle off quickly and drive it payment-free for several years. Every month without a car payment is a win for your budget!
• Buying a preowned vehicle is a great strategy to pad your budget. A lower monthly payment means more money is available for your savings, or costly expenses such as braces for your child.
• When buying a preowned vehicle from a private seller, have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic. In addition to looking for mechanical problems, ask them to verify the odometer and VIN on the vehicle.
• It’s no secret a PRE-APPROVAL gives you the upper hand when negotiating prices for a vehicle. However, you’ll also be surprised how much easier the process goes as well. Apply Online 24/7 or stop by any branch to get started!
• Refinancing your auto loan sounds complicated and time consuming. But it’s actually very simple and could save you a significant amount of money. Switch your loan to us and we’ll do all the heavy lifting for you!
• Dealer incentives, like 0% APR, can be misleading. With today’s low rates, it’s usually cheaper to take the dealer cash incentives and finance with the credit union. Questions on a dealer offer? We’re here to help!
• Before you head to the dealership for a new car, ask us about our protection plans and extended warranties. These add-ons are usually much cheaper at the credit union and offer the same level of protection.
• When financing a new car, try to keep your term between 48-60 months. A longer term helps lower your monthly payments, but costs more overall. If you can’t afford payments at 60 months, it’s likely out of your price range.
• When buying a used vehicle, always have a trusted auto repair shop inspect the vehicle before you buy. This is especially important if the car you purchase is not sold from a dealership, but a private party.
• While that new car smell is tempting, there are many financial benefits to buying a preowned vehicle, including lower monthly payments, more affordable insurance, and less depreciation.
• Before deciding on whether to buy a new or preowned car, carefully consider the pros and cons of each. New cars come with more bells and whistles, but used vehicles depreciate slower and come with a lower price tag.
• Don’t be caught off guard by the dealer. People tend to think their trade-in is worth more than its true value. Do your research before you go to the dealer by looking up your car’s value at kbb.com or www.nada.com.
• Before you head to the dealership stop by and get pre-approved. A pre-approval makes the car-buying experience more enjoyable as you can focus on the car you want and bypass the dealer financing games and gimmicks.
• Ready for a New Car? When you stop by to get pre-approved, ask about our GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) and extended warranties. We offer the same protection as dealerships, but for usually up to 50% less!
• When buying a car, negotiate the total price of the vehicle first. Then, mention you have a trade-in and request a value. Keep the items separate or dealerships will lump the price and trade together in their favor.
• Before you head to the dealership, do your homework first. Know your vehicle’s trade-in value and research how much your desired car is selling for at various dealerships in the area. A little prep can save you a bundle!
• Ready to buy a new car? Start with the financing. When you’re pre-approved for your auto loan, the car-buying experience becomes much more enjoyable. You’ll stay within your budget & avoid dealer pricing games.
• Refinancing your auto loan is a quick and easy way to free up more cash for the holidays. When you switch your auto loan to the credit union, we’ll help you lower your payments and save more each month.
• When buying a new car at a dealership, steer clear of the costly add-ons. Most of these same items, such as GAP and extended warranties, can be purchased through the credit union for much less.
• It’s common for people to believe their trade-in is worth more than it actually is. Before visiting a dealership, always research your car’s trade-in value at kbb.com or www.nada.com.
• Saving for your first car? Open a separate savings account solely for your down payment and future car payments. By keeping this account separate, you’ll be less likely to dip into it for frivolous expenses.
• Always consider making a down payment on a new car – even if you have a trade-in. A down payment helps lower the cost of the vehicle, decreases your monthly payments, and helps offset sudden depreciation on the vehicle.
• Has your credit score increased lately? If so, consider refinancing your current auto loan. With a better credit score, you may qualify for lower rates – helping you save more of your hard-earned money each month.
• Once you pay off your car, keep making your monthly payment to yourself. Put that same amount into your savings account to cover future unexpected expenses or to use as a down payment on your next vehicle.
• There are 4 components when buying a car: vehicle price, financing, trade-in & add-ons. A pre-approval from the credit union can help eliminate more expensive dealership financing options and costly add-ons.
• As fuel prices continue to rise, more people are looking at electric vehicles. While EVs will save you money on gas, their higher price tags may offset those savings. Be sure to research all costs before making your decision.
• When looking for a preowned car, you may have your eye on a luxury vehicle due to its lower price tag. Before making the purchase, research maintenance and insurance costs to ensure they fit within your budget.
• Dealers will often ask your monthly budget when buying a car because they know they can fit most cars into that threshold. By extending the length of the loan, they make you believe you can afford a more expensive car.
• Ready for a new car? Try the 20/4/10 rule. Only buy a car if you can afford a 20% down payment, a 4-year or less financing term, and the cost (loan payment, insurance, gas) is less than 10% of your gross monthly income.
• The most stressful part of buying a car is typically the financing. You can avoid the dealer pricing games by obtaining financing before you shop. A pre-approval puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiations.
• Ready for a new car? Consider leaving your children at home with a babysitter. Otherwise, some dealers might purposely drag out the sales process to capitalize on your frustrations as kids become bored and impatient.
• Aim to make a 20% down payment when budgeting for a new car. If you have a trade-in, factor that amount into your down payment. New cars depreciate quickly, and this will prevent you from owing more than the car is worth.
• Ready for a new car? Consider selling your current vehicle privately. With used car prices remaining near all-time highs, you will usually get more through a private sale than as a trade-in at the dealership.
• Due to the shortage of new vehicles, many dealers are adding markups well above MSRP. To avoid these costs, consider buying a car directly from the automaker. Many makers allow you to order cars from their factories online.
• Looking to buy a new car? Don’t forget to save for a down payment. Even if you have a vehicle to trade, making a down payment will help lower your monthly payments and reduce the amount of interest you pay.
• As car prices continue to rise, it’s smart to widen your car search. For example, look at dealerships further away to lock in a better price. Driving an extra hour or so to save $1,000+ is well worth it!
• Dealerships typically lease vehicles when supply is high as a way to increase sales. However, with today’s limited supply, leases are becoming less attractive to buyers. Consider buying with a shorter loan term instead.
• Preparing to buy your first car? Make sure to include all vehicle-related expenses when determining how much you can afford to spend monthly. These will consist of your car payment, car insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
• When looking for a new car, be sure to consider dealerships farther away. Expand your search to include dealers 20, 30, or even 50 miles away. It might be a drive, but you could end up with a much better deal.
• When purchasing a new car, remember you’ll also be responsible for the 3 T’s: taxes, tag, and title. It’s wise to pay these added costs upfront. You’ll reduce how much you finance & pay less interest on your loan.
• Love your car but wish you had lower payments? There are 3 ways to lower your car payments: 1) qualify for a lower rate, 2) extend the loan term, or 3) a combination of both. Let’s see if we can lower your payments.
• Planning to buy a new car? Start your search online. Request a price estimate for a car you like so that you can see all the dealer fees they charge. Knowing this information ahead of time will help you negotiate a lower price.
• Planning to buy a new car within the next 6 months? Start improving your credit score now. Focus on making on-time payments and reducing credit card debt. Every point helps when qualifying for a lower interest rate.
• Preparing to buy a new car? Timing is everything. Consider visiting dealerships later in the month or at the end of the quarter. You’ll typically receive better discounts as dealers work to hit their sales quotas.
• When looking for a new car, expand your search area to 20+ miles outside your location. Some dealers are more aggressive than others and offer better pricing, trade-in values, incentives, and selection of vehicles.
• Used car values are up, meaning you can earn more for your trade-in. Before visiting a dealership to buy a new car, have your trade appraised at various locations. Use these written appraisals to ensure you earn top dollar.
• Take a few minutes to become pre-approved before car shopping. A pre-approval is one of the best car-buying tools. It gives you the upper hand in price negotiations, prevents overspending & helps you avoid costly add-ons.
• Did you recently buy a new car? Many dealerships are pushing longer loan terms to help offset higher interest rates. Refinancing your loan with the credit union could help you pay off the loan quicker & reduce interest.
• Are you waiting to see if loan rates drop before buying a new car? Remember that you can always refinance your loan later if rates decline. However, delaying your purchase might also lead to rates rising higher.
• Your down payment on a new car consists of three parts: 1) trade-in value, 2) cash payments, 3) dealer incentives or price negotiations. Try to maximize each component to reduce the amount financed & interest payments.
• When buying a new car, use your down payment to keep the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio below 100%. This figure compares your loan balance with the value of the vehicle. Formula: Loan Balance ÷ Current Vehicle Value x 100.
• The more you put down on a new car, the less you’ll need to finance. As a rule of thumb, for every $1,000 you make toward a down payment, you’ll reduce your loan’s monthly payment by approximately $18.
• Secure your car-buying journey with a pre-approval from the credit union. It sets clear financial boundaries, ensuring you explore vehicles within your budget – helping to avoid overspending and future monetary challenges.
• Gain negotiating power on your next car purchase with a pre-approval. Dealerships will perceive you as a serious buyer, granting you leverage to secure the best price without pressure to arrange financing on the spot.
• A pre-approval can protect you from pricey add-ons. Dealerships often push costly extras, such as extended warranties and ding protection. A pre-approval can help shield you from unnecessary expenses and headaches.
• Becoming pre-approved for your next car is quick and easy. Plus, when armed with a pre-approval from the credit union, you gain the upper hand in price negotiations and prevent dealership pricing gimmicks and games.
• Know the value of your trade-in before visiting a dealership, especially if you have a pre-approval. Since dealers will likely make less on the new car sale, they will try to compensate by undervaluing your trade.
• Many factors affect your monthly auto loan payment. For example, your credit score, down payment, trade-in value, dealer add-on products, and taxes can all affect your payment. Get pre-approved before you shop to save.
• Before purchasing a new vehicle, always call your insurance company for a quote. Provide the VIN from the car you want to your car insurance provider for an accurate quote to determine if it fits into your budget.
• When looking at new cars, calculate fuel costs to ensure they fit in your budget. You can estimate fuel costs using this formula: (Miles Driven Monthly ÷ Vehicle’s Miles Per Gallon) x Current Price Per Gallon in your area.
• Getting ready to buy a new car? Your trade-in can serve as part of your down payment and reduce your monthly payments. Research your trade’s value before visiting a dealership to ensure you receive a fair offer.
• Don’t overlook the importance of a down payment on your new car. Every dollar you can put down is one less that you will need to finance. This helps reduce the amount of interest you’ll pay and how much you need to borrow.
• When buying a used car, keep the loan term between 36 – 48 months (or less). If buying new, aim to stay around 60 – 72 months. Dealers often push 84-month terms to lower payments, but you’ll pay much more interest.
• Spend a few months before buying a new car working on your credit score. Even modest improvements can lower your interest rate. Start by reducing as much credit card debt as possible to boost your score quickly.
• It’s hard to resist that new car smell, but buying used or “new to you” provides substantial savings without sacrificing quality. New vehicles depreciate quickly, so a slightly used car can save you thousands of dollars.
• An auto loan pre-approval is one of the most powerful tools when car shopping. It lets you know how much you can afford to spend, gives you the upper hand in price negotiations, and protects you from costly dealer add-ons.
• Before test driving a car, set rules to avoid impulse decisions. Bring a friend that will help you walk away after the test drive and think things over. Taking some time to evaluate your options is always a wise decision.
• Schedule your test drive in advance to ensure the car you want to drive is available. Dealers often have you test drive a more expensive model in hopes that you’ll fall in love with the additional features and spend more.
• When test-driving a pre-owned vehicle, turn off the radio and listen for any unusual sounds. This step can help you assess the car’s condition and spot any potential issues before committing to buying it.
• Before buying your first car, map out your finances – factor in monthly payments, fuel, maintenance & insurance costs. A car is more than just a sticker price – budgeting ensures you can afford the total cost of ownership.
• Got a trade-in? Research its value before heading to the dealership. Use tools like Kelley Blue Book to get an estimate and obtain appraisals from local dealers. Knowing your car’s worth helps you negotiate a better deal.
• Car dealers expect negotiations, so don’t be afraid to ask for a better price. They start high and make small concessions throughout the process. Your job is to push for the best deal. The worst they can say is no!
• Before car shopping, set your budget based on what you can afford monthly. Use our free online calculators to estimate payments and loan terms. Be sure to factor in a down payment to reduce how much you borrow.
• When setting your new car budget, don’t forget to include ongoing expenses like fuel, insurance, and maintenance. These can vary widely between new and used vehicles and significantly affect your total cost of ownership.
• Deciding between a new or used car? If you plan to keep the car for 4+ years, new cars tend to have lower repair costs. If upgrading to a newer vehicle in a few years, consider a “certified” pre-owned vehicle.
• When buying a car, aim to put down 20% if it’s a new vehicle or 10% for pre-owned. If you have a trade-in, that figure will count toward your down payment. A larger down payment reduces your loan amount & interest costs.
• A pre-approval is a document that lets dealerships know you’re approved to buy a car for a set dollar amount with the credit union. It gives you the upper hand in price negotiations & helps you avoid costly dealer add-ons.
• Refinancing your auto loan is a quick & easy way to save money. Dropping your auto loan rate by just 2% APR can significantly reduce your monthly payment and save thousands in interest over the life of your loan.
• Many think only people with excellent credit can refinance their car loans. However, individuals with less than perfect credit often experience the most significant rate reductions and the greatest savings on their payments.
• Has your credit score improved since you bought your car? If so, consider switching your loan to the credit union and secure a much better rate. Lower rates mean smaller payments, less interest, and more monthly savings.
• Before heading out on your summer road trip, take a moment to ensure your car is ready. Check all essential systems, including fluid levels, tire pressure, and brakes, to prevent breakdowns & keep your passengers safe.

9/24/25