Getting A New Car Maybe Harder Than You Think
By: Jenna Zibton
Updated: September 10, 2009
Now may be the best time to buy a new car but the hard part is getting financed.
"I dont think lenders are taking the risks theyve taken in the years past" says Shreveport Federal Credit Union President Helen Godfrey-Smith.
And car dealerships are taking notice. "You just have to be cautious as a dealership of who you put on paper. Obviously we send everything to the banks, but we try to put our banks in a better situation" explains Gregg Orr Auto General Sales Manager Steve Robinson.
More people are defaulting on auto loans. The Shreveport Federal Credit Union has seen 7-percent more this year over last.
"There are many people who had a solid financial foundation and then they lost money in their 401K(s) and retirement accounts which has caused a reductions in their monthly incomes. So there are lots of reasons" says Godfrey-Smith.
That means lenders are finding creative ways to get their money.
"They [customers] have to bring everything they can to the table. The lenders are going to be rather demanding" she says.
If youre in danger of losing your car there are some things you can do: talk to your lender and offer options like adding a co-signer who can help you refinance, ask for an extention or add payments to the end of your loan.
The auto dealership says banks are starting to lend money again and that is encouraging news.
