Real-Life Savings Example: Refinancing to a Newer Car with Improved Credit

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Auto Financing

Let’s consider a practical example of how refinancing to a newer car and securing a lower interest rate can save a person money, especially when their credit score has improved over the last two years.

Scenario: Meet Emily, who purchased a car two years ago with a less-than-ideal credit score. At that time, her credit score was 600, and she financed a used car with a 7% interest rate for a 60-month loan term. The total loan amount was $20,000, resulting in a monthly payment of approximately $397.

Now, after two years of diligently improving her credit score and boosting it to 700, Emily decides to refinance her car loan to take advantage of her improved creditworthiness and acquire a newer car.

Refinancing Details:

  • Original Loan:
    • Credit Score: 600
    • Interest Rate: 7%
    • Loan Amount: $20,000
    • Loan Term: 60 months
    • Monthly Payment: $397
  • Refinanced Loan:
    • Credit Score: 700
    • Lowered Interest Rate: 4%
    • Loan Amount (for a newer car): $22,000
    • Loan Term: 60 months

Savings Calculation:

  1. Lower Interest Rate: With her improved credit score, Emily qualifies for a lower interest rate of 4% when refinancing her car loan. This reduces the cost of borrowing.
  2. New Car: Emily decides to purchase a newer car for $22,000 instead of keeping her older car, providing her with a more reliable vehicle and potentially reducing maintenance costs.

Monthly Payment Comparison:

  • Original Loan: $397
  • Refinanced Loan: $412

Monthly Savings: $397 – $412 = -$15

While her monthly payment increases by $15 due to financing a slightly more expensive car, Emily benefits from:

  • Lower interest costs over the loan term, potentially saving thousands of dollars.
  • Reduced maintenance and repair expenses associated with a newer vehicle.
  • Improved reliability and safety features of the newer car.

In this scenario, even with a slightly higher monthly payment for the newer car, Emily is likely to save money in the long run thanks to her lower interest rate and the advantages of driving a more reliable vehicle. It’s a prime example of how improved credit can lead to financial benefits in the car financing process.