Auto Loan Refinance – Is Refinancing The Right Option For You?

There are many reasons why consumers choose to go through the auto loan refinance process, but many often fail to fully understand the process of refinancing a vehicle and pursue it just because they want to get a lower monthly payment.It may be the case that current tough economic times have got you in a tough spot leaving you unable to afford your current payment, or you simply want to lower your monthly payment so you have more money to spend on other bills or monthly expenses. Then an auto loan refinance can help you achieve a lower monthly payment.Current interest rates are at all new low levels due to the swing in recent market conditions, so now may be the perfect opportunity for you if you are considering an auto loan refinance.Auto Loan Refinance DefinedAn auto refinance loan is a loan that aims to pay off an existing loan more effectively by providing a lower interest rate, reducing the monthly loan premium that the borrower is responsible for, and reducing the overall costs that the borrower ends up paying above and beyond the initial value of the loan.Borrowers can refinance their vehicles by going through their current lender for the new loan, or they can research other lenders to see who has the best terms based on current market conditions.Should You Refinance Your Auto?Before you jump into the process of refinancing your vehicle, it might be a good idea to assess your particular situation in order to identify whether or not refinancing is the right decision for you. The decision you make will depend on what your goals are from a borrowing standpoint.You should consider refinancing if:You would like to get a lower interest rate in order to reduce overall interest costs on your loan. As mentioned before, interest rates are at all new lows. This means that a new loan with the same terms will cost less when all is said and done because of the lower interest rates. If your current loan has a 6% interest rate, and you now qualify for a 3% loan with the same terms, you will save dramatically on interest costs when your loan is finally paid off if you refinance instead of sticking with your current loan.You might also consider an auto loan refinance if you want to reduce your monthly payment. Your monthly payment can be reduced if you are able to get a new loan with a lower interest rate, you extend the payoff period of the loan, or you get a lower interest rate and extend the period of the loan. Keep in mind that simply extending the period of the loan with all other factors remaining the same may increase your total interest cost in the long run.How To Refinance Your CarThere are a number of options that you can choose from in order to refinance your current auto loan. The first and perhaps the simplest option would be to contact your current lender to see if they can offer you a better rate on your current loan or if they can simply extend the payoff period of your loan. Going through your current lender would save costs associated with lien transfer fees and would save you the hassle of having to find a new lender.If you’d rather not stick with your current lender, then you can shop around to find another lender who is willing to offer you the best rates and terms on your new loan. The quickest and easiest way to find a qualified lender with better loan rates is by searching on the internet. There are numerous online lender comparison tools designed to get you in front of multiple lenders in order to compare the different rates and terms that they have available.Once you locate your lender of choice, then all you have to do is apply for the refinance loan with them. They will normally check your credit score and if you are approved for the auto loan refinance, your new lender will pay off your current loan and your title will be transferred to them.Calculating The Cost Of Auto Loan RefinanceThe quickest and easiest way of determining how much it will cost to refinance your current auto loan is to use a refinance auto loan calculator. You simply input the total amount of the loan, the interest rate, the number of months it will take to pay off the loan, and any down payment that you will be making. The end result is the total cost of the new loan that you will be taking on based on the new refinance auto loan rates. You can use the loan calculator to perform the same calculation for your current loan in order to determine whether or not refinancing is more cost effective.Advantages and Disadvantages Of Refinancing Your VehicleThere are many advantages and disadvantages of refinancing a vehicle. In order to make the decision on whether or not refinancing makes sense for you, you have to consider the advantages and disadvantages and whether or not they apply in your particular situation.AdvantagesLower Interest Rate – One of the biggest benefits of refinancing that consumers aim to take advantage of during certain economic conditions is lower interest rates. Lower interest rates on loans help save the borrower money in the long run. This is due to the fact that lower interest rates result in lower overall interest costs on the loan.Reduce Monthly Payment – Another important advantage of the auto loan refinance is that it can help you reduce your monthly payment. Borrowers can reduce their monthly payment either by extending the term of the loan or by getting a lower interest rate.Stress Relief – Often times borrowers enjoy lower stress levels when they are able to refinance and get a lower monthly payment. If you have seen a drop in income, have more bills to pay, or simply need more money for other expenses each month, refinancing can help give you the financial relief that you need.DisadvantagesThe auto loan refinance can also have disadvantages that you might want to consider before going through the process.Increase Interest Cost – If you refinance simply to extend the term of your loan and get a lower monthly payment, the auto loan refinance will most likely end up costing more in the long run due to higher interest costs. This would be true if you refinanced with a loan that has the same interest rate and a longer payoff period.

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