Bad Credit Car Buying: What to Avoid

Bad credit car buying in the U.S.: avoid negotiating payment first, stretching to 72+ months, and buy-here-pay-here traps (high rate, high price)—so you don't overpay. Here's bad credit car buying: what to avoid.

TL;DR Avoid: (1) "What payment do you want?"—they stretch term or inflate price. (2) 72+ month terms—more interest, longer negative equity. (3) Buy-here-pay-here with high price and high rate. Agree on OTD first; shop all lenders; use autopremo.com OTD calculator and payment calculator. Use autopremo.com.

Avoid Payment-First

Don't say "I want $X per month." Agree on out-the-door price first, then shop rate and choose the shortest term you can afford. Use autopremo.com OTD calculator. Get your numbers at autopremo.com.

Avoid 72+ Month Terms

Long term = more interest and longer negative equity. With bad credit you may only qualify for long terms—but choose the shortest you can afford. Use autopremo.com payment calculator to see total interest. See payment at autopremo.com.

Avoid BHPH Traps

Buy-here-pay-here dealers can charge high price and high rate. Shop banks, credit unions, and dealer-arranged lenders—compare APR and OTD. Use autopremo.com. Check at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Bad credit: avoid payment-first, 72+ month stretch, and BHPH traps. Agree on OTD first; shop rate; use autopremo.com OTD calculator and payment calculator so you don't overpay.