Insurance For Trucks :: Articles

Loans for Cars: Establishing How Much You Can Afford to Borrow

Loans for Cars: Establishing How Much You Can Afford to Borrow

Loans for Cars: Establishing How Much You Can Afford to Borrow
When it comes to car loans, one of the first things you need to determine is your budget – how much can you afford to borrow and still comfortably make your monthly car loan repayments?

Borrowing power

Borrowing power is the ability to obtain credit from lenders. This can be in the form of a loan, credit card, or line of credit. Individuals with a high borrowing power will typically have a high credit score, which indicates to lenders that they are low-risk borrowers.

There are a few things that can impact your borrowing power. Your income and employment history are two of the biggest factors. Lenders want to see that you have a steady income and a history of making on-time payments. Another factor is your credit history. If you have a good credit history, lenders will be more likely to lend you money.

Best Car Loans
Image for Best Car LoansFinance for all new or used cars including personal or business use vehicles, private sale or dealer purchase. Loans for $10,000 and over Rates from as low as 3.85%

This knowledge will help you narrow down your choices and find the right car for you and the features you can afford. It will also help you decide whether you should buy a new or used car and help you avoid getting into financial trouble.

If you’re not sure how much you can afford to spend on a car, one of the best ways to figure out your car loan borrowing power is to use an online car finance repayment calculator. There are many different car loan calculators available online. Some are more complex than others. But, in general, they all ask for the same information: the price of the car, the interest rate, the term of the loan, and the down payment. With this information, the calculator will generate a monthly payment estimate.

Your Income and Savings

Before you begin to apply for a car loan you need to understand how much you are currently earning from working or investments and the existing amount you have set aside for future expenses.

To get a loan, you will need to present a downpayment. Your money is needed to fund the deposit or downpayment, which comprises the up-front portion of your loan. Once this payment is made, you may obtain a loan for an amount calculated minus the deposit.

To repay a loan, you will need to make periodic payments - these are set payments over a dose size period until the mortgage has been paid in full. These payments may change during periods of resetting interest rates. You have to be conscious that your monthly income after expenses can cover your loan repayments. This will ensure that you can repay the loan comfortably.

Accounting for any past or existing Debt

Credit history is a record of a borrower's past credit experiences, including information about late payments, bankruptcies, and other negative information. This information is used by lenders to determine whether or not to extend credit to a borrower.

A borrower's credit history is important because it can impact the interest rate that they are offered on a loan. For example, a borrower with a good credit history may be offered a lower interest rate than a borrower with a bad credit history.

Poor credit history will reduce your borrowing power and therefore, it is important to clear debts and improve your credit rating to secure financing.

Calculating Repayments

A car loan calculator is a tool that can help you determine your monthly car loan payments. This can be a useful tool when you are considering a new car purchase, as it can help you budget for your new vehicle. There are a few different ways to calculate your car loan payments, but the most common method is to use the interest rate and the loan term to determine the payment amount. Just enter the loan amount, interest rate, and term of the loan, and the calculator will do the rest. 

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money, and it is expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. For example, if you take out a 5-year loan for $25,000 at an interest rate of 5%, you will be required to pay $3306.80 in interest over the life of the loan. Your monthly payment will be lower if you choose a loan with a lower interest rate.

Try to get a few quotes from different financial institutions so that you can compare and contrast. Make certain you comprehend and don’t miss any clauses in a quote and of course, always pay your monthly payment on time. You may be surprised at how easy and fast it is to attain your auto financing with some smart shopping for the best rates.

Our specialist Car Finance Brokers are qualified and experienced to do this for you with guaranteed results. Simply complete our short Car Loan Eligibility Assessment form on this website to get started, no charge, obligation-free.

Published: Thursday, 27th Oct 2022
Author: Paige Estritori


Insurance News

AFCA Rules in Favour of Owners in Lift Vandalism Dispute AFCA Rules in Favour of Owners in Lift Vandalism Dispute
28 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

In a landmark decision, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has mandated that Chubb Insurance replace the hoist ropes of two lifts in an apartment block, following damage attributed to vandalism. The owners' corporation successfully argued that the damage to the lifts was part of a previously recognized vandalism incident. - read more
NSW Government Targets Predatory Practice of Claim Farming NSW Government Targets Predatory Practice of Claim Farming
28 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

The New South Wales Government is taking decisive action against 'claim farming', a predatory practice that exploits vulnerable individuals by pressuring them to file compensation claims. This practice often involves unethical tactics targeting susceptible groups, including child abuse survivors. To combat this, the government is set to introduce the Claim Farming Practices Prohibition Bill 2025. - read more
RAA Partners with Duck Creek for Major Tech Overhaul RAA Partners with Duck Creek for Major Tech Overhaul
27 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

The Royal Automobile Association (RAA), a leading motoring group in South Australia, is set to revamp its technology infrastructure by adopting Duck Creek's OnDemand cloud platform. This strategic transition will see RAA's outdated systems for motor and home insurance transformed to include streamlined policy, rating, billing, and claims management, as well as enhanced data handling and insights capabilities. - read more
Consumer Advocates Criticise Insurers Over 'Poverty Premiums' and 'Loyalty Taxes' Consumer Advocates Criticise Insurers Over 'Poverty Premiums' and 'Loyalty Taxes'
26 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

Consumer advocacy groups have voiced strong opposition to the insurance industry's decision to reject recommendations designed to eliminate practices that disadvantage consumers, including charging higher rates for monthly bill payments and increasing renewal premiums for loyal customers. The Financial Rights Legal Centre has cited ongoing reports from consumers being adversely affected by these pricing practices, which they refer to as a 'poverty premium' and a 'loyalty tax.' - read more
Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums
25 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has called for urgent action to address the factors driving the significant rise in motor insurance premiums. In a detailed policy paper, the ICA has outlined a strategic plan, urging government intervention to address key issues like labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, and inefficiencies in accident management practices. - read more
Car Theft Claims Skyrocket, Raising Insurance Concerns Car Theft Claims Skyrocket, Raising Insurance Concerns
24 Mar 2025: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia has unveiled substantial data revealing that the expense related to vehicle theft claims has almost doubled since 2015. Last year, the industry handled $428 million in claims, signaling a stark increase from $218 million a decade ago. The data comes from Insurance Statistics Australia, which has adjusted historic dollar values for inflation, highlighting an urgent trend in rising car crime claims. - read more
Truck Insurance Articles

Loans for Cars: Getting an Even Better Deal Loans for Cars: Getting an Even Better Deal
If you're in the market for a new car, you're probably wondering what you need to do to get the best car loan. It's no secret that the car dealership will try to sell you a loan, but you don't have to take their offer! In fact, you can get a much better loan if you know what you're doing. - read more
Temporary Resident? Learn How You Can Qualify for an Australian Car Loan Temporary Resident? Learn How You Can Qualify for an Australian Car Loan
Welcome to your comprehensive guide on navigating the Australian car loan landscape as a temporary resident. Whether you're here for work, study, or leisure, having your own vehicle can vastly improve your time in Australia. However, securing a loan for a car might seem like a formidable task given your temporary status. That's where this article steps in—to enlighten and empower you in this financial journey. - read more
The Ultimate Guide to Fast Track Your Car Loan in Australia The Ultimate Guide to Fast Track Your Car Loan in Australia
Welcome to The Ultimate Guide to Fast Track Your Car Loan in Australia, designed to help you navigate the exciting journey of buying a car for the first time. Buying a car is a significant milestone, and securing the right finance can make all the difference. - read more
Navigating Credit Scores: How They Impact Your Car Loan Options in Australia Navigating Credit Scores: How They Impact Your Car Loan Options in Australia
Welcome to the guide designed to help you navigate the intricate world of credit scores and their impact on your car loan possibilities in Australia. Whether you're a long-term resident or here for a temporary stay, understanding the nuts and bolts of credit scores is crucial in securing your ideal vehicle through a loan. This post aims to shed light on this pivotal financial metric and aid you in your car financing journey. - read more
Understanding Specialist Lenders: The Secret to Better Car Loan Terms Understanding Specialist Lenders: The Secret to Better Car Loan Terms
Specialist lenders are financial institutions that offer tailored loan products to meet the unique needs of borrowers who may not be well-served by traditional banks. These lenders often have more flexible lending criteria and can accommodate a broader range of financial situations. - read more
Essential Guide for Australian First-Time Car Buyers Essential Guide for Australian First-Time Car Buyers
Welcome to your essential guide for Australian first-time car buyers! Whether you're dreaming of your first sleek, new vehicle or a reliable pre-owned car, buying a car for the first time is a big milestone and an exciting experience. - read more
Insurance Renewal Approaching? Tips to Ensure You're Still Getting the Best Rate! Insurance Renewal Approaching? Tips to Ensure You're Still Getting the Best Rate!
Is it that time of the year again when your car insurance is up for renewal? Often, it comes as a reminder in the mail or a notification from your insurer. But instead of instinctively renewing your existing policy, let's pause and explore the underrated benefits of a periodic insurance review. Taking the time to scrutinize your policy could unveil potential savings and align coverage with your current needs. - read more
The Credit-Savvy Car Buyer’s Guide to Obtaining Affordable Insurance The Credit-Savvy Car Buyer’s Guide to Obtaining Affordable Insurance
Embarking on the journey of car ownership comes with its share of responsibilities, one of which is securing affordable insurance. Understanding the intricacies of insurance rates is central to managing this recurring expense effectively. Insurers take into account numerous factors when determining your premium, including but not limited to driving history, vehicle type, and geographic location. - read more
Your free Truck Insurance quote comparison starts here!
First Name:
Postcode:
Your quotes are provided at no charge and with no obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Policyholder:
The individual or entity who owns the insurance policy.