Red-hot auto sales and increasingly pricey cars are generally seen as a sign of a resurgent economy and a consumer base that is finally prospering after years of stagnant wages and poor prospects. But according to data from Experian, much of the growth may come from practices generally regarded as financially unhealthy.
In particular, major growth in loans lasting 73-84 months occurred in Q3 of 2014. These long term loans were once unheard of in the United States, but are now seen as a way to lower monthly payments on vehicles that may not be affordable for consumers on a more traditional 36, 48 or 60 month loan.
New vehicle loans lasting between 6 and 7 years grew an astonishing 23.7 percent year over year, with used vehicle loans for the same term growing 18 percent in that same period. The average amount financed was up nearly 4 percent to $27,799 for a new vehicle, and roughly 3.5 percent to $18,656. Leasing, another way for consumers to manage lower payments on a pricier vehicle, grew 7.1 percent year over year, to account for nearly 30 percent of all vehicle financing.
With the average age of vehicles pushing 11 years, many consumers are finally replacing their old car now that the economy appears more stable. While the lower payments may be easier to manage, the downside is that the consumer may very well be underwater on their loan before the vehicle is paid off, and trading it in well only lead to a further debt burden as they must pay off the "negative equity" on their old car, as well as a loan on a new one. But the unprecedentedly long loan terms point to a subset of buyers who are likely stretching themselves beyond what many would consider financially prudent.
The post Explosive Growth For Long Term Auto Loans In Q3 2014 appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
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