Can You Lease a Car With Bad Credit?

If you are shopping on a budget around Kelso or your credit score is not quite where you want it to be, you may be wondering if you can lease a car with bad credit. What does it mean to finance a car? Learn how car finance works and why leasing may be an attractive option. 

How Car Finance Works

What does it mean to finance a car? Here’s how car finance works. When you take out a car loan from a dealership or other financial institution, you receive that money in a lump sum. You then pay it back with interest over a specified period of time. Your monthly payment is determined by the cost of the car, your credit score, and how long it will take to pay back the loan. 

Leasing, on the other hand, means you essentially rent the vehicle for a couple of years. You pay for its usage rather than the full purchase price.  

Can You Lease a Car with Bad Credit?

Benefits of leasing include lower monthly payments, less money down, and less sales tax. While having good credit certainly will sweeten the deal, our team is still happy to work with you to find a vehicle that exceeds your expectations but not your budget. 

Negotiating Terms With Bad Credit

Here are a few tips to keep in mind during negotiations. 

• Make a larger down payment than requested if you can to help lower the interest and reduce the size of your monthly payments. 
• Take a few months to pay off smaller debts to get your score in the best shape possible before you decide to lease a vehicle. 
• If your credit score has been dinged due to an issue that doesn’t necessarily reflect your typical financial behavior, bring us pay stubs and proof of your good financial habits. You may be able to negotiate better terms! 

Lease Your Dream Car with Bud Clary Subaru

Now that you know how car finance works and the perks of leasing, are you ready to make your dream car a reality in Longview? Reach out to us today or continue to explore our car buying tips.