Is It Better to Lease or Finance a Car?

It isn't easy to know the best way to own a car. Unless you work in the car biz, you've got to rely on the professionals to help you make the best decisions. What you do know is that there are two ways to own a car for yourself, and that's to lease or finance a car. Often, you can picture yourself going either way, but how do you know which one is better for you?

Let's Talk About Phil's Money Problems

Phil is a great guy. He's the responsible, quiet guy that always seems to have it together. He has a wife, two kids, went to grad school and got his dream office job right away. Phil is the guy everyone wants to be, but he has money problems.It's not what you think, though. Phil didn't let the money get to his head. Phil is a clean-living, upstanding sort. His problem all comes from something you wouldn't expect and, frankly, Phil didn't see coming. It's credit fraud that put Phil in trouble.Phil is the victim.

Why Your Tires Could Dictate the Type of Vehicle You Buy

You drive through the pasture to pick up a newborn calf. You take long trips cross-country to visit your parents on the Florida panhandle. It might be that you rally-race your sports car on the weekends. Or, perhaps, you perform a daily commute to the office in rain, snow, or midwest summer heat. Whatever you do and wherever you drive, you do it on tires. Those round, black rubber rings could dictate the type of vehicle you need to buy.

What You Need to Know About a Salvage Title

Browsing the online used car ads, you see a car you really like at a dealership. It looks really great, has low mileage, new tires, and has already been certified. And there's another one just like it for sale, except privately. It's the same color, the mileage is even lower, and it even has a few extra options. There are two big differences, though: it is prices thousands of dollars less and it has a salvage title.What does that salvage title mean to you? Most importantly, there must be a reason that the car is priced so much less than the one at the dealership. There are a few things you need to know about a car with a salvage title, and it could influence your decision on which of the two cars you should buy.

3 Ways to Improve Your Credit Rating Quickly

You've heard for a long time that credit issues stay on your credit report for years. That's true, and it's for a good reason. Getting credit from a lender isn't something you are entitled to. It's given because you've earned it, and it's hard work to get to that point. For many people, learning that lesson comes the hard way. Along with that lesson comes a substandard credit rating, and it truly can take years to recover.It doesn't have to be a major hurdle for years, though. Even if you have a few blemishes on your credit rating, it's possible to get financing from good lenders sooner than you think. That means lenders who won't overcharge you on interest and will offer terms you can live with. After all, you need a car loan that you can repay, not one that will further damage your credit rating.Get started rebuilding your credit today. Here are three easy tips to improve your credit rating within a short time frame.

How Much Car Can I Afford?

So many factors influence your car shopping experience. At first, it's all excitement that you're going to be buying a car. Then there's the frustration of finding the right car for your needs. And when you realize you need to get a loan to buy a car, a new question enters your mind: "How much car can I afford?"It doesn't matter if you are well to do or make a modest living. You may have a squeaky-clean credit history or you might have a few black marks on record. You can shop for a high-end luxury sedan or a well-worn pickup truck. You still have to ask yourself how much car can I afford?

Used Trucks For Sale: Issues to Watch For

In Kansas City and the surrounding areas, trucks are a popular vehicle to purchase. They're just so handy - you can use the to carry a load, haul the family around, tow your trailer or boat, or use as a mobile office. And or whatever reason you're shopping for a truck, there are used trucks for sale in the area.But be careful! Not every truck you see is equal, even for the same year, make, and model. You'll want to be diligent when you're shopping used trucks for sale, otherwise you could be stuck with unexpected repairs or maintenance, even before you get a chance to enjoy the truck for a bit.As a truck buyer, there are a few things you can watch for when shopping used trucks for sale. Keep these in mind and you could save yourself tons of time and money!

5 Steps Before You Buy a Car with Bad Credit

Sometimes it's just a few bad decisions that have a long-lasting result. You may have skipped a few bills or forgotten to pay a ticket that went to collections. Other times, it's a wrench thrown into your plans that's completely unexpected. A death in the family, a split from your spouse, or job loss. But no matter how you got there, you still have bad credit. And now, you're feeling the pain when you try to buy a car with bad credit.It's not impossible to buy a car with bad credit, even though it feels like it at times. But you can do a few things to help make getting a loan approval easier.

How to Fix Negative Equity in a Car Loan

Unfortunately, cars depreciate in value. Other than real estate, few things in life gain in value over time. In North America, millions of car owners every year discover that depreciation the hard way. They find out they have negative equity, or are "upside down", in their car loan.Are you unfamiliar with the term? It's pretty simple, actually. Negative equity means that your car is worth less than you owe on your car loan. Does that make your jaw drop? Don't be so surprised - it could be the case for you too.

Five Best Cars for Bad Credit

If you're one of the millions of Americans whose credit score could use some improvement, you might have trouble getting financing for certain vehicles. Some cars simply don't have the same resale value down the road as others, and that can make them less attractive to lenders. Other vehicles hold their value extremely well, and that's a great thing when it's time to get a car loan. The best thing is this: some of the best cars are great for financing with bad credit.It might not be a surprise that the vehicles with high resale value are some of the best cars for financing with bad credit. It makes sense - the lender sees less risk when the car retains its value over time. And that's a good thing for you as well. Your car will be worth a fair value when the time comes to sell it down the road.Wondering which cars will prove less troublesome when you apply for auto financing? We have five of the best cars to get approved for an auto loan when your credit is less than perfect.