There's a lot to think about when you're shopping for a new vehicle, from the make and model to your financing options. Our team at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC is here to make this process as simple and painless as possible. The skilled professionals in our finance center can assist with both financing and leasing vehicles. Whether you're looking for a brand new car or you want to explore your options for affordable pre-owned vehicles, we'll help you get just what you're after.
Leasing Vs. Buying a Vehicle
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Unless you're paying for your new car in full with cash, you'll have two options to consider: leasing and financing. There are pros and cons to both, so you should consider both options carefully.
When you lease a vehicle, you essentially rent it from the dealership. You will make monthly payments for the use of the car, but at the end of the lease term, you don't own anything. You return the vehicle when the lease is over. Lease terms vary, but many include maintenance costs like oil changes and other scheduled maintenance so you don't have to deal with these expenses. If you continually move from one lease to the next, you'll always enjoy a late-model car during its best years.
The disadvantage to a lease is that you will always have a monthly payment to contend with. Your lease will also place limitations on your use of the car, setting a specific number of miles that you're allowed to drive. If you go over the miles or do any kind of excess damage to the car, you will have to pay extra fees. You will also face penalties and early termination fees if you decide you can no longer afford the lease and need to terminate the agreement.
When you finance a car, you will eventually own the vehicle outright. A portion of your payments go toward interest, but the rest go to the vehicle itself. When you've paid off the loan, you will still have your car but you will no longer need to make monthly payments on it. The monthly payments on a car loan are usually higher than the payments on a lease, because you only pay for depreciation with a lease and you pay for the entire vehicle with a loan.
When you purchase a car, there are no limits on how many miles you can drive or what you can do to it. While cosmetic damage may lower the resale value of the car, it's not something that you'll have to pay for outright, and you may never suffer financially from stained upholstery or bumper sticker residue if you simply drive the vehicle for the duration of its lifespan.
Simplified Financing From Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMCÂ
Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC offers vehicle financing right at our dealership. You can trade in your used vehicle, get a new loan approval, and drive away with your new car all in one transaction! Our finance team can help you with car loans and leases for Chevy, Buick, and GMC vehicles. We'll assist as you compare your options and find the fit that's best for your needs. Whether that means leasing a new vehicle with a standard three-year term or exploring options for a long-term car loan, we can assist.Â
If you're planning to finance your vehicle, you can get started online by filling out our finance application. This will give us the information we need to determine the type of loan you qualify for based on your credit and other financial information. We're here to help you get into the car of your dreams now.
Finding the Right Vehicle for Your Budget
As you're considering your budget for a new or used vehicle, it's important to include all the costs associated with purchasing and owning a vehicle. When you buy a car, you have to pay more than just your down payment. You also need to account for:
- Registration.
- License plates.
- Title fees.
- Sales tax.
- Dealership fees.
There are also ongoing expenses that come with car ownership. Even if you're simply replacing an existing vehicle with a new one, you will need to think about how these costs will change. Consider:
- Fuel costs: If your new vehicle is more efficient than your last one, your fuel costs should go down. Compare the MPG of your previous vehicle with the one you're purchasing for a better idea of how fuel expenses will compare.
- Maintenance: All vehicles require regular maintenance to stay in prime condition. The older a vehicle is, the more maintenance it will need. If you're purchasing a used car, you might need to consider the cost of a new battery, tires, or windshield wipers in the near future.
- Car insurance:Â Speak with an insurance agent before purchasing a new vehicle to get a quote for your new car insurance. You may have to pay more each month for comparable coverage, depending on the type of car you're replacing. You may also want to reconsider the insurance you're carrying. If you're taking out a loan for a new vehicle, gap coverage is an important consideration. This will cover the unpaid portion of your loan if your car is totaled before it's paid off.
With these expenses in mind, you can determine how much you can afford to pay as a down payment for your vehicle now and how much you can pay each month in car payments. It's important to find a vehicle you can comfortably afford so your new vehicle doesn't put undue strain on your finances. Our payment calculator will help you compare different cars and see how much you'll pay each month based on your down payment, term, and APR.
Contact Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC today to learn more about our financing options, find out what's available on the lot, or make an appointment to visit the dealership. We're open seven days a week, so you can find the car you're looking for on your schedule. Plan your visit now.
Buying a vehicle is an easy process. Like any industry, however, the financing world has its share of odd and sometimes difficult to understand language. Here's a short list of the most common terms used during the finance process:
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