Should You Tell a Car Salesman Your Down Payment?

When it comes to buying a car, paying cash can hinder your chances of getting the best deal. Dealers anticipate making money on the back-end, through financing, so if you tell them upfront that you're paying in cash, they know they won't make any money from your financing. If you have bad credit or are a first-time buyer, having a down payment of at least 15-20% or more is attractive to lenders. Auto Navigator can help you search and save your favorites to find the car that best fits your budget and lifestyle.Don't worry; the car salesman will have a “great idea” and show you how easy it is to reduce your payments without any additional money.

The longer you've lived in the same area, had the same job, and had a stable income, the better your chances of qualifying for a high-risk car loan. It's best not to commit to financing, but it's a good idea to align interim financing with MAFCU before you go car shopping. Car sellers may ask for a deposit or down payment to take it to the manager and show them that you are a serious car buyer.When available, before visiting the dealership, you can provide your most current personal, contact, residence, income and employment information, as well as the proposed financing terms, prequalification status, information about the vehicle you may be interested in financing, and the cars stored in that dealer using the “Check Availability” button (this feature is not available to all dealers and is not a mandatory step). Aim for a down payment of at least 15-20% when buying a car; the more, the better.

This will help lower interest charges over the life of your auto loan.If this isn't possible for everyone, consider a less expensive car, save a larger down payment, or wait until you are more financially stable before buying a vehicle. Once the dealer knows your credit score, it can affect negotiations for the car you're interested in buying. Larger down payments will help you avoid high monthly car payments, longer terms, excessive bank financing charges, and being in a negative equity situation when you decide to trade or sell the car in the future.Many people are afraid to put money into buying a car because they think the dealership will steal it from them. It's possible that telling the dealer that you have financing for your car right from the start could hurt your chances of negotiating the sale price of the vehicle you're looking for.In conclusion, when buying a car, it's important to consider all of your options.

A larger down payment will help you avoid high monthly payments and excessive bank financing charges. It's also important to be aware that telling the dealer upfront that you have financing could hurt your chances of negotiating the sale price. Finally, make sure to use Auto Navigator to search and save your favorites to find the car that best fits your budget and lifestyle.