Estimate Your Vehicle Payment¹
Monthly Payment
:
Interest rate / APR³
:
Monthly Payment
: $
Interest rate / APR³
:
%
2) Gives you negotiation power
No doubt about it, an auto loan pre-approval can set you up with more sway at the negotiation table when it comes time to talk shop. Since you’ve already done the hard part of getting the interest rate you can qualify for, knowing this amount will help you avoid the possibility of a dealership marking up an approved rate they would offer you, which could cost you a lot more in the long run.
Make sure you do your research beforehand to estimate your
trade-in amount (value of your old car) to help you get the best deal and reduce your loan amount.
3) Widens your range for dealership choices
Last but not least, an auto loan pre-approval in hand means you’re not tethered to one dealership’s financing terms. With an offer from SCCU, you can shop at any dealership in Florida and find the best car for your money. If you decide to take care of your financing at the dealership instead of getting a pre-approval auto loan letter beforehand, be sure to ask for SCCU!
How long are auto loan pre-approvals good for?
A car loan pre-approval at SCCU is good for 30 days. If you need an extension beyond that time, give us a call and we’ll see what we can do. One of the best parts? You can apply online for free! Not to worry, you can also decline a car loan pre-approval if it’s not for you.
If you’re an educator, first responder, military member, medical professional, or law enforcement professional, be sure to take advantage of our
Hero Auto Loan discounts!
How to Buy a Car with a Pre-Approved Auto Loan
Now to the main event. We’ll break down how auto loan pre-approvals work step by step with some helpful tips sprinkled in too.
1) Check your credit report.
You can go to
AnnualCreditReport.com to look at your credit reports from the three credit reporting bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax (for free once a year). If you notice any errors, you can reach out to them for corrections. This will help avoid any surprises when it’s time for a pre-approval.
The credit reports won’t show your FICO® Score, which is what many lenders use. At SCCU, you can check yours for free in your
Online Banking account. What’s the minimum credit score you need to get an auto loan? In most cases, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 661 to qualify for an auto loan. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate.
If you’d like to
improve or build your credit, this article provides numerous helpful tips.
2) Define the monthly auto loan amount that works best for you.
The best place to start is with a
budgeting spreadsheet like this one that identifies your total monthly income and expenses to see what you can comfortably afford for your auto loan monthly payment. Then, with your estimated trade-in value and down payment, you’ll have an easier time calculating your monthly loan amount, like comparing a
60- vs. 72-car loan term, in our
auto loan calculator.
3) Gather personal and financial documentation.
Pump the brakes, don’t apply for a pre-approval just yet! First, get your ducks in a row with your documentation to ensure that you have everything you need (and because some information may take longer to obtain than others) to be prepared. Some documents you’ll need include:
- Government-issued identification
- Social Security number
- W2s or other income verification
- Proof of employment status
- Proof of assets
4) Find the best auto loan lender for you.
Take a look at a few auto lenders’ websites to evaluate and compare auto loan rate ranges and qualifications.
Hint hint, credit unions usually have the best auto loan rates in your area because they exist to serve members, not shareholders.
You can also give auto lenders a call to see if their loan offerings would specifically work for your financial needs. Ask them if they do any auto loan pre-qualifications so you can get an idea of what loan amount you’d get before you jump in with an auto loan pre-approval application.
Once you’ve selected your top lenders, then it’s time to apply for an auto loan pre-approval. Then, review the loan amount, rates, terms, and estimated monthly payment on the pre-approval letter. See our
essential guide to car loans to learn more about what to look for in a lender.
Effective Date: June 01, 2023
Apply Now
Payment Period
|
Purchase APR* "As Low As"
|
Minimum Loan Amount
|
Payment per $1,000
|
Up to 36 Months |
5.49% |
No minimum loan amount |
$30.19 |
Up to 48 Months |
5.74% |
No minimum loan amount |
$23.37 |
Up to 60 Months |
5.99% |
$10,000 |
$19.33 |
Up to 66 Months |
6.24% |
$10,000 |
$17.94 |
Up to 72 Months |
6.49% |
$12,000 |
$16.81 |
Up to 75 Months |
6.74% |
$15,000 |
$16.38 |
Up to 78 Months |
7.24% |
$20,000 |
$16.11 |
Up to 84 Months |
7.49% |
$25,000 |
$15.33 |
Rates shown are fixed Annual Percentage Rates for vehicle model years 2023 and newer. Rates are subject to change. Your actual rate and terms are affected by your creditworthiness, term selected, vehicle type, and model year. Certain restrictions apply. You may be asked to furnish a down payment. Florida loans are subject to Documentary Stamp Tax. The tax amount is not included in the quoted APR.
5) Shop around for a car that suits your financial needs.
Now that you have your letter and terms, you can better compare used or
new car options online (
CarMax,
Carvana,
iSeeCars.com), hit dealership floors, take some cars for a drive, and close the deal within that auto loan pre-approval letter timeframe. Here are our
top tips for buying used cars. Then buckle up for some fun in your new ride!
Auto Loan Pre-Approval | Space Coast Credit Union
At SCCU, you can expect low auto loan rates for new and used vehicles
8, fast approval decisions, and flexible terms
9. If you meet our qualification of living or working in one of these
counties, but you’re not a member, not to worry! You can still apply for an auto loan at SCCU, and we’ll set up your membership for you (with a $5 deposit to a share savings account, which fun fact, makes you a shareholder at SCCU). You can easily apply online or in a branch. Have any questions? Feel free to
contact us via one of our many methods that work best for you.