Compare loans easily!

Auto Loans Instantly Glossary

As you search for auto loans instantly, you might run across a few financing terms that you don't know. Consult our car financing glossary for definitions of the most important words and terms.

  • APR - annual percentage rate. The interest rate on auto loans instantly expressed over the course of a year. By law, all lenders must calculate and disclose APR in the same way.
  • Balance - the amount that remains to be paid on your auto loan.
  • Credit - with regard to the financial world, credit describes one's ability to borrow funds. A borrower with good credit poses little risk to a lender and is more likely to qualify for affordable auto loans instantly. On the other hand, a borrower with bad credit is a poor risk and might have a hard time finding loans.
  • Down payment - with dealership financing, the portion of the vehicle the borrowers pays for in cash. With third-party financing, the borrower doesn't actually make a down payment, but rather subtracts the down payment from the amount he/she borrows.
  • Finance - paying for a car over time as you drive it. The only alternative to financing is to pay for the car in cash up front.
  • Finance and insurance office - if you get auto loans instantly at a dealership, the salesperson will handle the negotiations. Once an agreement is reached, the salesperson sends the borrower to the finance and insurance office to sign the contracts.
  • Four-square form - a worksheet that dealerships use to keep track of the four components of a car deal when negotiating. The four aspects of the deal are trade-in, vehicle price, monthly payment, and down payment.
  • Interest rate - the fee borrowers pay to the lender for the service of auto loans instantly.
  • Lease - a form of auto financing where the borrower pays a monthly fee to use the vehicle but does not own it.
  • Lending institution - any organization that lends funds. Lending institutions can include banks, credit unions, and car manufacturers.
  • Sales tax - a percentage of the car's purchase price that the borrower must pay to the state.
  • Term - the length of auto loans instantly. Common terms include 36, 48, and 60 months.
  • Title - a document that specifies information about a car and the person or entity who owns it. When you finance a vehicle with auto loans instantly, your lender will retain the title until you have repaid the loan.

If you have any inquiries, please examine our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Person using a steering wheel. Red car on a road.