Financing a vehicle purchase through the dealership
When thinking about a used car salesman, most people have a pretty distinct image in their mind. They are likely picturing a man twirling a mustache wearing tacky pants. In most cases, this image is completely false. A used car dealership can be an excellent way to get an upgraded vehicle or to get vehicle financing.
Where should you look for a car loan?
Applying for a car loan can be a confusing time since you have plenty of choices when it comes to how you will finance your vehicle. You can finance through a bank or credit union, which might be your best option if you have good credit. However, you can also apply for financing through the dealership. Hear this might once again conjure the same image from hearing used car salesman, but financing through the dealership can be a wise decision for some people.
If you apply for a loan with a bank, and then visit a dealership, it could be better to talk to them about financing, since you have an idea of what your rates would be, and the dealership might be able to offer you a better deal, or extended terms. If you want a one-stop-shop situation, the dealership is going to be your best bet. You’ll likely be able to get approved and get your vehicle on the same day.
[Related: How to fix having a bad credit score]
Getting an Auto Loan with bad credit
If you have a bad credit score, it might exclude you from qualifying for a traditional bank loan. If that is the case, getting a loan through a dealership like OkCarz can help you fix your credit. Again, going through a dealership is convenient, and even with bad credit, you can apply online for instant approval when you go through OkCarz.
If you are approved for financing through OkCarz, you aren’t bound to buying a vehicle. Should you choose to purchase a used car from OkCarz, you’ll get a quality vehicle that has been inspected with a six month/ 6,000-mile powertrain warranty. Look online at all the vehicles available, or visit one of the five locations in Florida.
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Getting a car loan while paying off student loans
How do student loans affect getting a car loan?
As a young adult, there are two big investments you’re going to have to choose to make. One is deciding to go to college, and the other is buying a vehicle. Both can be financially draining, and it is likely that you will need financial assistance. The best way to finance going to school or getting a car is through loans.
The majority of Americans are saddled with a monthly student loan payment, which can be both a good and bad thing. If you are struggling to pay your minimum payment, and are missing payments because of it, you can be doing damage to your credit score. If you are making your payments every month, it will reflect well on your credit score, which can be beneficial when you’re applying for a car loan.
[Related: How to make a budget]
Should you apply for a car loan?
If you are struggling to pay your student loans as it is, adding another loan payment every month is just going to bury you deeper in debt and hurt your credit score even more. However, if you have a student loan and have some excess money every month to dedicate to making the additional loan payment, upgrading your vehicle or getting a car for the first time can be a smart step toward getting your life on track.
Even if you had trouble with your student loans in the past and those issues left a black mark on your credit score, you can still get approved for a car loan. OkCarz is dedicated to helping customers rebuild their credit and work toward being able to buy a new car or qualify for traditional bank financing. While it can be tempting to immediately jump into a new car, opting for a used vehicle might be the best choice for you, financially. OkCarz has a wide range of used vehicle options across their five dealership locations in Florida. Stop by today to view the inventory and speak to an expert about financing.
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Is your vehicle a crossover or an SUV?
If you haven’t been in the market for a new vehicle for a while, or if you’re shopping for your first car, you might get a little confused at all of the new terms for describing a vehicle. There are quite a few vehicle styles that look remarkably similar, and it can be confusing to try and choose between them. Two of these styles include an SUV and a crossover.
Essentially, a crossover is the middle ground between an SUV and a hatchback. It provides the functionality of an SUV with the maneuverability of a smaller hatchback, while still providing better fuel economy.
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The 2017 Ford Explorer looks like an SUV, and can tow heavy loads, but is actually a crossover.
Crossover vs SUV Platform
The biggest difference between an SUV and a crossover is not the size, or the features available. It is the frame on which the vehicle is built. With its larger size and rugged capability, a true SUV is built on a truck frame, where the body and frame are built separately. A crossover uses a unibody platform, similar to that of a traditional car, where the body and frame are built as one piece.
Even with that easy distinction, there are still vehicles that technically fit one category, but are generally considered to be in a different one. The Ford Explorer is one such vehicle, based on a unibody platform, but considered an SUV because of its rugged abilities. This can go even further with a crossover being considered a car, like the Kia Soul, which Kia lists as an SUV or crossover on its website.
When you’re considering which vehicle to buy, how can you be certain that you’re getting the vehicle style that you want? Whether you are leaning toward purchasing a crossover or an SUV, the style of vehicle doesn’t matter as long as it fits your needs. No matter what vehicle you choose, you can find financing options at OkCarz.
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What to do if you have a bad credit score
Having a bad credit score can hang like a weight around your neck when you’re trying to buy a car. Whether you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of credit history, or if you’re trying to make up for youthful indiscretions, it is possible to fix your poor credit score.
Fixing your credit is not quick or easy. When you apply for a loan through an institution like a bank, you’re likely going to be given a loan with subprime interest rates, or not even get approved. Your past credit history will make the loan provider think that you’re a high-risk applicant. To increase your credit score and show that you’re able to handle your money responsibly, follow some of these steps.
[Related: Should you get a car loan?]
Know your credit score
You may have been told that checking your credit score can actually hurt your score. This is a misconception that has been passed on as a true fact of finance. A hard inquiry, which is done by a lender before they approve you for a line of credit, may affect your credit score, but you checking on your score will not. If you don’t check your score, you may fall prey to an out of sight, out of mind mentality so you might not know that you have a bad credit score.
Make payments on time
When you take out a loan or use a credit card, make sure that you aren’t biting off more than you can chew. If you are using a loan to try to fix your credit score, missing payments is just going to make it worse. Pay off any delinquent accounts or already missed payments, and then set a reminder or see if you can set up auto-pay through your lender.
Get Credit Help at OkCarz
When you have to try to fix your credit so you can get a car, it can feel hopeless. If you visit OkCarz at one of their five locations, you can find a used vehicle that will fit your needs, and you can also get help with financing. You are able to apply for pre-approval online, and OkCarz will help you with the rest.
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Haunted Attractions near Tampa, FL
Best Haunted Houses near Tampa, FL
For some people, fall means pumpkin spice and animal-themed costumes. For others, the changing of the seasons means one thing: Halloween is right around the corner. Halloween can either mean you gorge yourself on candy, or that you subject yourself to some of the worst frights around. If you’re looking to pack your October with scares, here are four of the best haunted attractions near Tampa, Florida.
[Read More: Where to pick pumpkins in Lakeland, FL]
Chamber of Terror
Open every weekend in October, visit the Chamber of Terror to experience a one-of-a-kind fright. This haunted house takes ghost ship to the next level on the SS American Victory, a World War II-era ship, where you can try to avoid the frightening crew.
Creatures of the Night
Visit with some animals and get some chills and thrills at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo during Creatures of the Night. There’s something for everyone, with all-new scare zones for those looking to be frightened, and night-time animal exhibits for those who want to see what the animals do after dark.
Howl-o-Scream
On weekends during October, tourist destination Busch Gardens is transformed into a haunted amusement park for Howl-o-Scream. With haunted houses, exciting rides, and random frights, Howl-o-Scream is one of the premier haunted attractions for late-night thrills.
Blood District
In Saint Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, you can explore two different haunted houses while enjoying food and drinks at Blood District. Enjoy terrifying entertainers, and frights galore with zombies and other frightening fares.
Make car buying less scary at OkCarz
Just because Halloween is a time for frights, it doesn’t mean that financing your vehicle has to be. Visit OkCarz at one of the five locations in Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Brandon, Orlando, or Lakeland to learn how they can help you with your credit. You can also apply for financing online, and then visit the dealership to view the inventory.
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How to jumpstart your vehicle
What to do if your car battery is dead
One of the worst feelings in the world is going to start your car and having nothing happen. A dead battery is an inconvenience to you, and can really ruin your day. Luckily, it is fairly easy to fix, as long as you have a set of jumper cables and another car that is running. If you don’t have jumper cables or a vehicle with a working battery, it is pretty easy to find another person who has both.
Setting up to jump-start your vehicle
When you’re going to jumpstart your battery, know what side it is on so you and the other person can get in position so that their battery and yours are next to each other. That could mean your vehicles are side by side or nose to nose. Make sure that you have enough space so you can get into your car, but not so much that the cables don’t reach. Both of the vehicles should be off.
[Related: What kind of maintenance do I need to do for my car?]
On most batteries, the red terminal is positive, and the negative is black. Make sure you know which is which when jump-starting your vehicle.
Attaching the cables
This is the part that scares some people. First, what you want to do is attach the red clamp to the positive terminal on the dead battery, and then attach the other red clamp to the positive on the working battery. Then, attach the black clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery. The last step is grounding the other black clamp on the vehicle with the dead battery by clipping it to a piece of non-painted metal.
Once the cables are securely attached, start the working car, and let the dead battery charge for a minute or two. After a while, attempt to start the dead vehicle. If it doesn’t start, wait a little longer, or rev the engine on the other vehicle by hitting the gas pedal. When the dead vehicle starts, you can disconnect the cables, starting with the ground and working backward removing the other black and the red clamp from the working vehicle, and finally the red clamp from the previously dead battery.
The last step is to drive your vehicle for about fifteen minutes to recharge the battery. If you feel like you’re constantly jumpstarting your car, and you can’t figure out why it might be time for you to find a new vehicle. If you’re looking for a used vehicle, visit OkCarz at one of their five Florida locations. You’ll be able to find a wide range of used cars, and get help with financing when you visit OkCarz.
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Reasons to buy a new car
For some drivers, the best way to fix a check engine light is to put a piece of tape over it and hope that their car doesn’t fall apart. Others will immediately take the vehicle to a service station immediately to diagnose whatever the problem might be. When you have an older car, both of those methods will end up costing you a lot of money. If your car is light up like a Christmas tree, or if it spends more time in the shop than on the road, it might be time to consider a new vehicle.
If you’ve been cruising around in the same clunker for years, upgrading your ride is going to be great for your wallet and your safety. Depending on how old your vehicle is, it might not have to same safety feature that are now standard features in most newer models like a backup camera, electronic stability control, cruise control, and curtain airbags. There are also plenty of other advanced safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning, that might be available on a new vehicle.
[Related: How much of my income should I spend on a car?]
Save Money with a Used Car
Upgrading to a new vehicle can save you money if you’re spending exorbitant amounts of money at a mechanic to keep your old vehicle running. Do your research and find out how much your vehicle is priced at, then compare that number to the amount you’ve spent keeping it running in the last year. If the total adds up to more than the cost of your vehicle and more than what a monthly payment for a new car would be, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model.
For most people, buying a brand-new car doesn’t make financial sense. New cars begin depreciating as soon as they’re driven off the lot. When you opt for a used vehicle, you’re able to find vehicles that have the same features as a brand-new vehicle without the steep price tag.
If you’re looking to upgrade your current vehicle, stop by OkCarz and take a look at the dealership’s used car inventory. If you worried about financing, OkCarz is able to help you get a car loan, and apply for financing.
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For many people, buying a used car makes the most practical sense. If you choose a used vehicle from the last decade, you are likely going to find a vehicle that offers a ton of new features and has the reliability we’ve come to expect from our vehicles. However, when you buy a used vehicle, you may feel like you’re missing out on some of the perks of a new car.
Of course, one of the biggest draws of a new car is that everything is new. There isn’t any wear and tear from previous owners, and everything is in pristine condition. While a used car has the weight of past owners, you can still make your used vehicle feel like new with a little bit of work.
Cleaning your vehicle
When you are cleaning your vehicle, it is easy to just zip through one of those automatic car washes. While that can be fun, it isn’t the best way to clean your vehicle. Spend a weekend with a bucket and a sponge, and thoroughly clean your car. You can invest in all the fancy car cleaning supplies, or you can use baking soda and water to clean the body of your car. Most experts suggest not using dish or hand soap, as they can hurt your car’s paint job.
An aspect that is often overlooked is the headlights of your vehicle. Your used vehicle might have cloudy headlights, which can diminish visibility, and look unsightly. You can buy kits that will help shine and clean away the haze, or you can use toothpaste to help get the gunk off.
[Related: What to do when you’re buying your first car]
Don’t overlook the details
There are some little things that you can upgrade to help make your car look good as new. If the seats are kind of outdated or if they look like they’ve taken a beating, you can easily fit them by buying some seat covers. You can also upgrade features like the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, or lightbulbs to make sure that all of the aspects of your vehicle are brand new, even if the car isn’t.
If the thing you were really craving from a new car was the quintessential new car smell, buy one of the many bottled varieties and hop over to OkCarz to take a look at a used vehicle. If your credit score is what’s keeping you from a new car, the dealership is able to help you fix your credit though financing. It is easy to apply for pre-approval online, and at OkCarz it doesn’t matter what your score is to start out.
What to do when you’re buying your first car
Buying a car using pre-approved vehicle financing
Buying a car with bad or no credit can be stressful. When you’re buying a car, you are making a huge purchase that is a necessity for most people. Making the wrong choice when you first start looking for a car can be detrimental to your credit and can cause even more problems down the line. Vehicle financing is a great way to be able to afford a car, and it can even help your credit score.
Once you start considering auto financing, car buying can be less stressful, but more confusing. You’ve likely heard a lot of different information about how you should buy a car, and many people will probably try to steer you away from applying for a loan. However, since cars can cost an exorbitant amount, a loan may be the best way for you to get a vehicle.
[Related: How much of my income should I spend on a car?]
Applying for Pre-approval
Getting pre-approved for vehicle financing is a smart move when you’re looking to purchase a vehicle. Pre-approval lets you know how much you can expect to pay for your car, and can help you set a budget so you know what to expect when you actually go to the dealership. You’ll also already know your interest rates and monthly payment so the process of buying your vehicle will be less stressful.
If you’re looking to finance your vehicle at OkCarz, it is easy to apply for pre-approval. You can quickly and securely apply online by filling out the form. Applying for pre-approval on the OkCarz website won’t affect your credit score, and will provide you with information regarding your score that you may not have had.
Find the used vehicle that will best fit you and your needs when you visit OkCarz at any of their five convenient locations in Florida. After you apply for pre-approval, take a look at the used vehicles that the dealership has in stock. All the vehicles at OkCarz are inspected and come with a free six-month, 6,000-mile powertrain warranty.
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Buying a car using pre-approved vehicle financing
Buying a car with bad or no credit can be stressful. When you’re buying a car, you are making a huge purchase that is a necessity for most people. Making the wrong choice when you first start looking for a car can be detrimental to your credit and can cause even more problems down the line. Vehicle financing is a great way to be able to afford a car, and it can even help your credit score.
Once you start considering auto financing, car buying can be less stressful, but more confusing. You’ve likely heard a lot of different information about how you should buy a car, and many people will probably try to steer you away from applying for a loan. However, since cars can cost an exorbitant amount, a loan may be the best way for you to get a vehicle.
[Related: How much of my income should I spend on a car?]
Applying for Pre-approval
Getting pre-approved for vehicle financing is a smart move when you’re looking to purchase a vehicle. Pre-approval lets you know how much you can expect to pay for your car, and can help you set a budget so you know what to expect when you actually go to the dealership. You’ll also already know your interest rates and monthly payment so the process of buying your vehicle will be less stressful.
If you’re looking to finance your vehicle at OkCarz, it is easy to apply for pre-approval. You can quickly and securely apply online by filling out the form. Applying for pre-approval on the OkCarz website won’t affect your credit score, and will provide you with information regarding your score that you may not have had.
Find the used vehicle that will best fit you and your needs when you visit OkCarz at any of their five convenient locations in Florida. After you apply for pre-approval, take a look at the used vehicles that the dealership has in stock. All the vehicles at OkCarz are inspected and come with a free six-month, 6,000-mile powertrain warranty.
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