Lenders price auto loans in tiers. Super-prime borrowers (781+) routinely see rates under 6%, while subprime borrowers (501–600) can pay 13% or more for the same car.
On a $30,000, 60-month loan, moving from subprime to prime can cut your payment by over $100 a month and save thousands in interest. That is why improving your score even 20–40 points before buying can be worth more than haggling on price.
Quick wins: pay down revolving balances below 30% utilization, dispute errors on your report, and avoid opening new accounts in the 90 days before you apply.
See your numbers in seconds
Run the affordability calculator with your own income and credit.
Open the calculator