New or Used Car?

Should You Buy A New or Used Car?

When it comes to choosing between a new or used car, there are several considerations. Yes, you can analyze the market value of a car or use a car value estimator. Once you look at a used car valuation and a new car valuation, you can compare which option – a new or used car – works best for you.

Despite the historical stigma that used car values are low because used cars are considered old, the fact is that used car values often are better than new car valuation due to depreciation.

Top Picks For Student Loan Refinancing

December 2022

Advertiser Disclosure

Variable APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest rate can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly student loan payment. Typically, a variable-rate loan has a lower introductory rate than a fixed-loan rate loan. Variable APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.

Fixed APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Fixed APR means that your interest rate will always stay the same. Even if interest rates change, your interest rate or monthly payment will not. Fixed APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.

APR

4.49% - 8.99%

4.49% - 8.99%

4.49% - 8.99%

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View Details

on SoFi's website

Overview

Variable APR:

4.49% - 8.99%

Fixed APR:

4.49% - 8.99%

Minimum Credit Score:

650

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000 ($10,000 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All states

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Review

3.99% - 8.29%

4.39% - 8.99%

3.99% - 8.99%

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View Details

on Earnest's website

Overview

Variable APR:

3.99% - 8.29%

Fixed APR:

4.39% - 8.99%

Minimum Credit Score:

650

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5-20 years

Borrower Residency:

All States except NV

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

No

Review:

Earnest Student Loan Refinancing Review

3.99% - 8.29%

4.39% - 8.99%

3.99% - 8.99%

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View Details

on NaviRefi's website

Overview

Variable APR:

3.99% - 8.29%

Fixed APR:

4.39% - 8.99%

Minimum Credit Score:

650

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,001 ($10,001 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5-20 years

Borrower Residency:

All States except NV

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

No

Review:

NaviRefi Student Loan Refinancing Review

3.53% - 7.24%

4.48% - 7.29%

3.53% - 7.29%

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View Details

on ELFI's website

Overview

Variable APR:

3.53% - 7.24%

Fixed APR:

4.48% - 7.29%

Minimum Credit Score:

680

Minimum Income:

$35,000

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All States

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

ELFI Student Loan Refinancing Review

2.50% - 8.65%

3.99% - 8.49%

2.50% - 8.65%

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View Details

on Splash's website

Overview

Variable APR:

2.50% - 8.65%

Fixed APR:

3.99% - 8.49%

Minimum Credit Score:

640

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5 – 25 years

Borrower Residency:

All states

Hardship Deferment:

Varies

Co-signer Option:

No

Review:

Splash Financial Student Loan Refinancing Review

5.09% - 11.67%

5.39% - 11.87%

5.09% - 11.87%

Get My Rate

View Details

on Citizens' website

Overview

Variable APR:

5.09% - 11.67%

Fixed APR:

5.39% - 11.87%

Minimum Credit Score:

Not disclosed

Minimum Income:

$24,000

Fees:

No prepayment or origination fees

Minimum Loan Amount:

$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All states

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

Citizens Student Loan Refinancing Review

2.50% - 6.80%

4.49% - 6.90%

2.50% - 6.90%

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View Details

on Laurel Road's website

Overview

Variable APR:

2.50% - 6.80%

Fixed APR:

4.49% - 6.90%

Minimum Credit Score:

660

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All States

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

Laurel Road Student Loan Refinancing Review

3.27% - 6.87%

3.99% - 10.68%

3.27% - 10.68%

Get My Rate

View Details

on LendKey's website

Overview

Variable APR:

3.27% - 6.87%

Fixed APR:

3.99% - 10.68%

Minimum Credit Score:

680

Minimum Income:

$24,000

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All states, except ME, ND, NV, RI, WV

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

LendKey Student Loan Refinancing Review

-

3.94% - 9.08%

3.94% - 9.08%

Get My Rate

View Details

on ISL's website

Overview

Variable APR:

-

Fixed APR:

3.94% - 9.08%

Minimum Credit Score:

670

Minimum Income:

None

Fees:

None

Minimum Loan Amount:

$5,000 ($10,000 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:

Private & Federal

Eligible Degrees:

Undergraduate & Graduate

Loan Terms:

5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years

Borrower Residency:

All states, except OR and ME

Hardship Deferment:

Yes

Co-signer Option:

Yes

Review:

ISL Student Loan Refinancing Review

Checking Your Rate Doesn't Affect Your Credit Score

Disclosures: SoFi | Earnest | NaviRefi | ELFI | Splash Financial | Citizens | Laurel Road | LendKey | ISL

New or used car: what is depreciation?

Believe it or not, your new car valuation may lose 20-30% of its value when you drive your new car off of the dealership lot. Yes, it is called depreciation and it impacts the market value of your car. Each year, the market value of your car will depreciate more as their increased wear and tear on your new car.

Here is an example: Let’s say you are deciding between a new or used car, Which the best car to buy? A new car may cost $25,000. However, let’s say your sell that same car 5 years later for $10,000. That means that the market value of the car depreciated by $15,000 over 5 years.

Now, let’s say you purchase a used car for $15,000 and sell it for the same $10,000 5 years later. In this case, the market value of the car depreciated $5,000 over 5 years.

With the new or used car, you ended up with $10,000 when you sold it. However, the new car was $10,000 more expensive. So, when using a car value estimator to estimate a used car valuation versus a new car valuation, pay attention to the projected value in three, five or 10 years.

What are the advantages of new cars?

Even if new car valuation can be impacted by depreciation, the best car to buy for you may be a new car. Here are some advantages of new cars:

1. Reliability. Buying a new car means you will be getting the newest model with the highest reliability. That means fewer repairs and your new car is likely covered by a warranty. Most car manufacturers offer a three-year warranty or for the first 36,000 miles.
2. Advanced Features. A new car means the newest features and gadgets that can be harder to find with used cars. You will also find a new car has better fuel inefficiency.
3. Financing. When it comes to financing a new or used car, it is easier to find the best auto loans for a new car. You also can find lower interest rates.
4. It’s new. With a new car, you know that is brand new and you are the first owner.
5. Price transparency. There is more price transparency with a new car. You can compare prices for your make and model across offers to see which new car valuation and price works best for you.

What are the advantages of used cars?

When it comes to a new or used car, the best car to buy for you may be a used car. Here are some advantages of used cars:

• Less depreciation. Used car valuation can be better than new car valuation because of depreciation. For example, you could lose 30% of your purchase price when you drive off the dealership lot.
• Lower car insurance rates. The best car to buy for insurance is a used car because it costs less to insure a used car.
• Lower cost to register. Since you have a used car, the cost to register each year also will be less.
• More bang for your buck. Since used car values won’t be impacted as much by depreciation, you have more purchasing power to buy the car of your choice.
• Ok to get dirty. Unlike a new car, you will feel less stressed if your used car gets dirty or in a fender bender. After all, it’s a used car and the market value of the car is less impacted by its age. Focus on reliable cars that perform well even after 100,000 miles.

Best Auto Loans: New or Used Cars

Once you have selected a new or used car, you can compare the best auto loans on Mentor.

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