Auto Loan Rates in California

Overall, interest rates are the cost of borrowing money. Typically—but oftentimes not—interest rates for car loans are lower than that for mortgages and bigger property loans, and research online or with a bank will show typical loan rates available to consumers during the application process. However, car loan rates can vary widely depending on a few things:

• Credit. Lenders want to know the risk represented by certain borrowers before extending an auto loan. They use individuals' credit histories, which show the types of borrowing activity the individual has engaged in and how often bills are paid on time. They also use credit scores based on that history. Generally, the higher the credit score and the better the credit history, the lower the car loan rate you can earn.

• Debt-to-income ratio. Lenders will examine how much of a borrower's income currently goes towards debts and expenses. They want to ensure a new car loan will not stretch a borrower beyond his or her means. If you have a high ratio, you'll probably be charged a higher interest rate due to increased risk.

• Down payment. Spending a larger initial sum in the form of a down payment is a smart move to lower the total amount of the loan. It also lowers the interest rates on the remaining loan, as lenders look favorably on this move.

• Loan Term. Borrowers have more options for the length of a car loan today, with car  loans lasting up to seven years. But this elongated loan term comes with a cost of higher interest rates, and more interest paid over the life of the loan. The shorter the car loan, the lower the interest rate.

• Car choice. Finally, the car itself will determine the interest rate you can obtain. Overall, new cars will typically come with lower interest rates. Used car rates will vary much more, due to differing quality of the cars, variable resale value, and changing supply and demand.