A handful of automakers' finance arms allow those affected by the U.S. government shutdown to defer payments they're making on their cars. Toyota announced its program for federal employees on Jan. 2. Drivers who purchased or leased their vehicle through Toyota Financial Services or Lexus Financial Services may be eligible for up to two months of...read more »

If you’ve been counting on a zero percent interest rate to help finance your next new car, it may be time to lock in the deal before it’s too late. According to a report by Automotive News, rising benchmark rates from the Federal Reserve and a drop in customer adoption may cause interest-free financing deals to fall by the wayside...read more »

Following the Great Recession, credit dried up, dealing a brutal blow to the auto industry. Lenders tightened up so much that even people boasting fairly good credit scores were offered loans with sky-high interest rates or denied altogether. Half a dozen years down the road, credit restrictions have loosened dramatically. Unfortunately, according...read more »

Today, many Americans have a pretty solid understanding of how credit scores work. Thanks to the internet and the many, many resources it offers, we know what makes scores go down, and we know how to bring them back up again. Among the worst things for your credit score are defaults, late payments, and high balances. However, hard credit inquiries...read more »

If your credit has been hurt by issues with job loss, mortgage payments, or the economic conditions of the past several years, there’s far more hope than in the past to get into a new car—or at the very least, a late-model used one. There’s actually never been a better time. The market for so-called subprime lending for auto...read more »

If you want to buy a new car, but are afraid the monthly payments are going to be out of reach for the vehicle you want, you need a strategy. There are several approaches to take to get the lowest car payment, any one of which may work in your situation. Maintain good credit. Finance experts say that the best interest rates are offered to people...read more »

If you have to finance your car purchase with a loan, you’re certainly in the majority. How you establish it can set you apart, though. Follow these guidelines for a better experience. Shore up your credit score. Always a good idea regardless, tidying up credit well before you start car shopping gives you an edge on better finance options...read more »

Consider the improving economic indicators and an upswing in home construction; factor in relatively stable, affordable gas prices, that are expected to stay that way through the summer; and altogether, it's no surprise that during May truck sales surged with new market muscle--and that auto sales blossomed. Sales of the Ford F-Series finished the...read more »