For many people,
purchasing a car is second only to buying a home in terms of big investments
that you might make in your lifetime. A vehicle serves many purposes, whether
it’s used for family, for work, or for leisure.
Many US cities are
designed and built around a car-based lifestyle, so if you live in areas where
that’s the case, it’s even more important to consider how much time you might
save by owning your own vehicle versus using public transportation or ride-sharing
services. Higher density areas might require less use of a vehicle, but it’s
always useful for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances when you need to get
somewhere quickly.
Once you’ve decided to
take steps toward choosing and buying a car, it’s important to ensure you’ve
found a make or model that truly meets your needs, especially before you begin
to consider how you will pay for it. Do you want higher gas mileage? More trunk
space or a truck bed for hauling large items? What about safety features?
Once you’ve figured all of that out, the payment is the next step to begin thinking about.
Cash
or Car Loan?
When it comes to buying
a car, you generally have two approaches you can take. You can either finance
the car, which means you pay it off over a specified amount of time with an
additional interest rate on top of the cost. Or you can pay cash, which means
you buy the vehicle outright, using funds that you have immediately available
for the transaction.
Paying cash for a car
often sounds appealing to many folks, and understandably so—you won’t have to
worry about the cost of the car going forward, with the exception of paying for
insurance, maintenance, and repairs, and you won’t have to pay any additional
interest. Consider, though, that there are benefits to financing. First, you
may end up with a better car than if you pay cash. A car budget of $8,000 can
either pay for a used car, or you could use that $8,000 as a down payment on a
new car, making more options available to you.
If you want a model that
requires financing, the next step is to figure out what options you have. A
dealership may offer financing, but you could also look into getting a loan
from a bank or another type of financial institution. You can compare multiple
offers and decide what’s most appealing. If you’re an Oregon resident and you
want to go with a credit union,
then you might consider learning more about an Oregon credit union car loan.
Credit
Union Car Loan in Oregon
Perhaps you already
conduct your affairs at a specific bank but are curious about what other
financial institutions might offer. A great option for an auto vehicle loan is
a credit union. With the right Oregon credit union car loan,
you could end up saving a significant amount of money on your auto financing.
What are some of the features of this type of loan?
Membership
One difference between
credit unions and commercial banks that there’s a requirement to become a
member of the credit union in order to apply for a loan. This is usually a
simple process involving opening a checking or savings account and making a
nominal deposit.
Credit
Unions are Member-Focused
The membership
requirement described above comes with benefits. Credit unions are favored by many because they answer to members,
not investors. Any profits generated are invested back into the institution or
distributed in benefits the members. For instance, higher APY rates on checking
accounts and lower interest rates on loans.
Another benefit is that
credit unions think more holistically when it comes to approving a loan and may
look beyond traditional simple factors like your credit score. Member ownership
and focus on member needs mean credit unions have greater flexibility than
banks when deciding whether to issue credit. That could mean opportunities for
loan applicants that banks would refuse to consider.
Credit
Unions Are Not-for-Profit Entities
Not-for-profit status
means credit unions are exempt from paying taxes and therefore less concerned
with making money from borrowers, as compared to most commercial institutions.
It also means they’re more focused on taking care of their members than making
money for their stockholders. As result, an Oregon credit union car loan may
feature lower interest rates and fees than most banks.
Applying
is Simple and Secure
Just as with a
commercial lender or bank, the process of applying for a car loan through your
credit union is easy. Loan applications can be submitted online using a secure
web account or via hard copy. You’ll also need to submit your personal ID
information, including your Social Security number, which allows the credit
union to check your credit report. You’ll likely also need to provide a pay
stub or some other proof of income.
Flexibility
and More
Did you know that you
can apply for a car loan through an Oregon credit union even before you’ve
found the car you want to buy? It’s actually a great idea to secure your loan
prior to shopping for a vehicle so you know the amount you’re preapproved for.
This can help with budgeting and exploring all of the potential options.
You can also refinance
your vehicle through your credit union, with lower rates and lower fees than
most commercial banks and lenders. At Central Willamette Credit Union, there’s
no penalty for paying off any of your loans early.
Not
Just Car Loans
Last, credit unions
like Central Willamette Credit Union
offer loans not only for passenger vehicles, but also for RVs, boats, and
sportscraft. With members who love the great outdoors, it’s important to
provide loans that meet their needs, with competitive interest rates.
An Oregon credit union car loan may be just what you’re looking for to help finance your next vehicle. You’ll be on the road in no time.
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