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Why is Car Loan Debt at an All Time High?

Finance | 04/22/2023 16:02

It’s no secret that the economy has been a bit all over the place the past few years. And while there are many reasons for this and many factors at play, one thing is for certain: a lot of people have seen their debt increase recently. In fact car loan debt is now at an all time high, with more people shelling out more and more money every month for their new car payments. So what’s going on?

 

Here’s why car loan debt is at an all time high right now.

How high is American car loan debt?

US auto loan debt is at around 1.552 trillion dollars, which is up about 1.84% from the previous year. This number sounds so large it’s hard to actually imagine how much debt this is, but for the 107 million Americans who have auto loans, this means that their payments are higher than ever before. The average monthly car loan payment is over $700, up from about $620 last year. On top of that, 2 out of every 13 people with a car loan today are paying over $1000 a month. 

 

These high car payments make paying for a new car nearly impossible for most people with moderate incomes, and many analysts feel that new cars are becoming a luxury that only high income families can afford.

Reason #1: The interest rates are high.

One of the primary reasons for the high amount of auto loan debt is the high interest rates. In an effort to combat inflation, The Fed has been increasing interest rates steadily over the past two years, which has had complicated implications for the economy at large. 

 

The Fed has the task of balancing interest rates in a way that encourages reasonable savings and reasonable investing. When rates are very high, spending is discouraged and saving and investing is encouraged. When rates are low, spending is encouraged and saving and investing are discouraged. 

 

In order to get our economy back on track after the pandemic, The Fed lowered interest rates to encourage spending and revive the economy. But now it must slow the amount of spending to decrease demand and keep the value of the dollar steady. And all of this leads to now, where the prime rate (the benchmark interest rate for the economy) is particularly high. This high prime rate affects rates across the board, including mortgages, credit card rates, and auto loan rates.

 

This increase in car loan interest rates makes getting a new car all the more expensive, and makes it unattainable for some. These rate increases affect everyone, but they will affect those with lower credit scores the most. So if you need a new car and depend on a loan, you might be out of luck (and get yourself way in debt).

 

Reason #2: Car prices are high.

On top of the rising interest rates, cars are just more expensive in general right now. The average new car cost $49,075 at the end of 2022, which was an increase of $2,297 over the previous 12 months. So why such a jump? 

 

Inflation is certainly part of the story, but there are many other factors that are causing this increase. The major factor is simple supply and demand. Auto manufacturers are still playing catchup from the pandemic which caused manufacturing to slow majorly. And there are still many people who are simply willing to shell out the money for a new car. Pickup trucks specifically have been selling particularly well, with Kelley Blue Book reporting that Ford sold more than 75,000 F-series trucks in December alone, with an average sticker price of $66,451. If people are willing to pay the price, manufacturers have no incentive to reduce prices. Automakers are still recording record high profits despite the fact that they are excluding millions of Americans from the car buying process. So even as we are moving past low supply levels, it seems unlikely that prices will lower.

 

Additionally, new cars just have nicer features than ever before. Car buyers have come to expect a certain high level of trim, safety features, and infotainment systems that all add to the base price of the car. Cars are also more powerful now than ever before, with more horsepower coming standard.

 

When you add on a few upgrades it’s easy to see how a new car price can tick up north of $50,000 very quickly.

What should I do if I want to buy a new car?

Unfortunately you might not have a ton of options if you have your heart set on a new set of wheels. If you can wait it out for a few months (or even a year) you may find better rates and reduced prices, but nothing is a guarantee. Some manufacturers are offering incentives and deals to encourage sales, but it might not be enough to make the sale worthwhile.

 

If you really need a new car, it’s important to make sure your personal finances are in good order (a good credit score is still your best bet to get a good car loan interest rate). But there are also some other steps you can take to keep your car payments reasonable.

  1. Get preapproved for a loan. This will help to give you more negotiating power when you step foot in the car dealership. You already know what interest rate you have been approved for, so you know what interest rate the dealer will have to beat if they want to finance with you.

  2. Do your research ahead of time to compare prices. Look around at different dealers to compare prices and see where you can get the best deal. 

  3. Decide what features you need. Determining which features you can’t live without will also help to keep you in your budget. Skipping on the upgrades and addons is a great way to keep your monthly car payments more manageable. 

  4. Get a cosigner. If your credit score isn’t great, a cosigner may help you to secure a better car loan APR than you would be able to secure on your own.

  5. Buy your leased car to get a good deal. You will be able to buy your leased car for the amount that is listed in your leased contract, so you might get the best deal that way.

 

While these steps may help to make your payments more manageable, it might make the most sense for you to wait on your new car purchase.

 

That’s why car loan debt is at an all time high (and what you can do to get the best deal possible).

 

If you are interested in buying your leased car, contact Auto Approve today to see how they can help!

 

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The Best Car Movies for Kids Who Love Wheels

It can be hard to find movies that are both suitable for kids and fun for adults, especially in the younger years when kids are super into cars, trucks, and wheels of all kinds. This list contains some of the top-rated kid-friendly car movies, whether you’re setting them up for a watch from the road, preparing for a road trip, or just planning a fun family movie night.Here are some of the best kid-friendly movies featuring vehicles and characters with wheels.Kids Movies with Cars and WheelsWe’ve included information about content suitability here, but it’s ultimately up to you to know what’s right for your child and your household rules, of course!1. Cars SeriesCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 5+ (up to 8+ depending on the film)Starting this list off with a bang, Pixar’s Cars and all its various sequels and spin-offs are probably the number one choice for parents and car-obsessed kids. There’s tons of content in the series, and all of it has the Disney-Pixar stamp of approval, meaning you know you’re getting good family fun.The series includes Cars, Cars 2, Cars 3, several TV series and short films, and the spin-offs Planes and Planes: Fire & Rescue. Cars (the original) has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score and Planes has the lowest, so prepare yourself accordingly.2. Herbie MoviesCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 7+Another well-known car-centric family friendly series, The Love Bug, its Herbie sequels, and the 2005 remake Herbie: Fully Loaded are widely accepted as car-centric kid-friendly classics. While older movies can sometimes come with discussion points about content, The Love Bug remains good family fun with little that hasn’t aged well – and Herbie: Fully Loaded might be better than some remember (or at least will keep the kids entertained).3. TurboCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 6+This animated movie about a speed-loving snail played by Ryan Reynolds may have slipped past the radar for adults without kids in 2013, but it’s a delightful little racing movie about a snail with a dream. While there are technically no cars featured in this movie – the snails themselves are the racers – it’s still a solid pick for kids that love all things vehicles as the gastropods hit the pavement. And the star studded cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Rudolph, Paul Giamatti, and Bill Hader, makes it fun for grown-ups too!4. It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldCommon Sense Media Age Rating: 8+This beloved 1960s road race classic is a barrel of laughs for kids of all ages – and happens to feature tons of different vehicles, car chase scenes, and slapstick antics on the road. This movie skews a little older – its run time is almost 3 hours and there’s a character who drinks profusely – but things are kept light and broad. 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The good news is, the odds are good that Auto Approve can help you lower your monthly auto loan payment, your rate, or both!Simply tell us a little bit about your vehicle and current loan – no commitment or credit check required to get started – and you’ll be matched with an Auto Approve representative who can help you find the best deal for you, then do the paperwork for you.Get your free quote now.

The 3 Best American Road Trips To Take This Year

Thinking about a road trip this year, but not sure which of the many amazing classic American road trips to take? You’re in the right place.While it’s hard to say that any one singular road trip is the best most beautiful roast trip to take – the United States has tons of interesting terrain, stunning vistas, and cultural landmarks from sea to shining sea – we’ve compiled three favorites that you can start planning right now.There are many more great options. Traveling Route 66 or visiting the Grand Canyon are evergreen classics. But these uniquely excellent drives were selected for weather, accessibility, and combination of natural wonders and modern conveniences. American Road Trips to Take In 2025What’s the best road trip to take for you? Only you can decide that, but it’ll depend on who you’re driving with (or if you’re flying solo!), where you’re starting your journey, and how long you want to spend in the day, per car and overall. Each of these road trips can be shortened or lengthened with fewer or more stops, and each has their pros and cons. And once you’ve picked one, check out our road trip planner.1. New England: Jamestown to Acadia National ParkIf you’re craving a seaside getaway, it doesn’t get much more iconic than a drive up the New England coastline. This is a great option for summer and fall road trips. During the summer, you get cooler temperatures than much of the US, sea breezes, lobster rolls, and beach days. During the fall, you get stunning fall colors, script temperatures, bonfires, and apple pie.This is a particularly great road trip for families and those not inclined to spend endless hours in the car, since the total driving time is fairly short and the stop options are plentiful, from bustling city life in Boston to the amazing restaurants of Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME, to the lighthouses, ocean views, and sprawling forests of coastal Maine and Acadia National Park. Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 6 hoursStop ideas: RI: Jamestown, Providence; MA: Cape Cod, Boston, Salem; NH: Portsmouth; ME: Ogunquit, Portland, Freeport, Augusta, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park You won’t want to make all these stops in a row, but if you’re driving round trip, you can always see the LL Bean boot in Freeport one way and make time for Salem’s witches (or lack thereof) on the way back.One word to the wise: This road trip won’t work in the winter due to the weather in the Northeast. 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Just remember, when you’re spending a lot of time in National Parks, you want to make sure you plan your road trip meticulously. Gas stations and places to stay the night can be few and far between, and some things may book up months in advance.Don’t have a ton of time but want to see Big Sky Country? You can also fly into Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and land just two miles from Yellowstone National Park.Which of These 3 Beautiful Road Trips In The United States Sings to You?There’s no wrong choice – you want to choose something that fits the amount of time you have, your budget, and your interests.Want to spend more on your dream road trip and less on your monthly car payment?Most people are paying more than they need to on their auto loan, thanks to dealership rate markups! AutoApprove can help you find a better rate in just a few clicks. Tell us a bit about your vehicle – no commitment required – to find out how much you could potentially save through refinancing. An AutoApprove representative will help you find the deal that’s right for you, and once you’ve selected your refinance, we do the paperwork for you, easy as that!That means more money in your pocket for the things that matter most – whether that’s a soul-searching solo trip or an unforgettable family vacation.Get your free quote now.

Useful Skills You Can Learn While Driving

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AutoApprove can help you find the right deal for your unique situation – and do the paperwork for you.Get a free, no-commitment quote to see how much you could save.5. Practice Using Your VoiceWhether you’re a nervous public speaker or thinking about getting into amateur opera, the car is the perfect place to get vocal reps in. There are tons of voice teachers making content online – you could find a vocal warm-up to try while you drive, or look up exercises in advance and put them into practice when the car door is closed.Whether you rehearse a presentation or sales pitch, practice improvising speeches, or sing do-re-mi, the car is a rare place where you can let yourself be as noisy as you want, take advantage of it!6. Build Your Understanding of MathRegardless of your current level of math expertise, you can skill build while in the car. Some people work on basic skills like solving simple number problems, memorizing multiplication tables, or learning more of the digits of pi. Or, if you prefer to simply listen, there are many engaging math listens that can make you fall in love with math. A few top podcast options include: The Joy of XBreaking MathMy Favorite TheoremOpinionated History of MathematicsLeveling up your understanding of math can help you see the world in a new light! And hey, maybe you can impress your friends with your new intel.7. Learn About the WorldLast but certainly not least, there are so many great educational podcasts about all manner of things, from history to economics to niche scientific fields. Taking the time to simply learn broadly about different topics that interest you wherever you can is a very productive way to spend your time in the car. Some of the best options happen to overlap with our recommended podcasts for long drives, like Ologies, 99% Invisible, The Happiness Lab, and Revolutions. 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