Car Blog

If you need to buy a car with poor credit, you’re certainly not by yourself. Millions of Americans have bankruptcies, repossessions and foreclosures, late payments, medical collections, judgments and the list goes on and on. Having poor credit is not the taboo that it used to be and fortunately if you need a car, there is help.

Just because you have a low credit score, doesn’t mean that you can’t buy a car with poor credit. Some lenders realize that you have a need… These days, you can’t just walk where you’re going unless you live in a very convenient area. You’ve got to get to work, to school, to the grocery store and so on. More and more loan companies these days are specializing in helping people with bad credit auto finance and I’m not talking about those buy here pay here lot kind of places. I’m talking about real, legitimate online loan companies that will get you in a new or used vehicle, regardless of your credit history.

If you’ve got your bills paid on time for the last 90 days, have your bankruptcy discharged or dismissed and have an income of more than $2200.00 combined household income per month, you can get approved for a brand new car. Now the interest rate won’t be 4%. It’ll be more like 9-12%, depending. It’s still reasonable and so long as you’re not trying to buy a $40,000.00 car, you don’t have anything to worry about.

Buying a car with a low credit score is much easier than you might think that it is…

The trick is initiating your auto financing on your own and taking things up with the dealer, second. There are lenders that will approve you for a payment amount based on your income. That payment amount translates into a total dollar amount that you can use to buy a car from any number of dealerships in your area. Don’t let poor credit hold you back as there is help online.

When buying a used car one of the most important factors that consumers consider is reliability. You sure don’t want to spend your hard earned money on something that will break down and need costly repairs. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, here is a list of the best reliable used cars you can buy.

This list is taken from Consumer Reports which rates cars on multiple years of reliability from 1999 to 2008. This data is taken from the Annual Auto Survey on more than 1.4 million new and used vehicles in which owners reported on serious problems with vehicles in the previous year. According to the survey results, here are the best ones to look for.

Small Cars

#1 Honda Civic – This car is both reliable and economical to drive. The redesign in 2001 saw its popularity grow even larger and in 2003 the hybrid model was introduced. The redesign in 2006 included standard anti lock brakes, curtain air bags and owners report that the ride is even better than before.

Next Best Choices

• Toyota Echo
• Scion xB
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Matrix
• Pontiac Vibe
• Mazda3
• Mazda Protege
• Subaru Impreza

Family Cars#1 Honda Accord – This car has been a top choice for years. The redesign in 2003 made this car more agile and even quieter plus standard anti lock brakes were added.

Next Best Choices

• Toyota Prius
• Ford Fusion
• Mercury Milan
• Toyota Camry (except ‘08 V6)
• Subaru Outback (6 cyl.)
• Nissan Altima

Upscale Cars#1 Lexus ES – This quiet and comfortable car has tested reliable for many years. In 2004 a stronger more fuel efficient engine was added.

Next Best Choices

• Lexus IS
• Toyota Avalon
• Acura TSX
• Lincoln MKZ, Zephyr (FWD)
• Infiniti G20
• Acura TL
• Infiniti I30, I35
• Infiniti G35 (Sedan)
• Volvo S60
• Buick Lucerne (V8)
• Nissan Maxima

Luxury Cars#1 Infiniti M35 – This car has been on the list of reliable vehicles since 2003. The redesign in 2006 added more comfort to this well built car.

Next Best Choices

• Lexus LS
• Lexus GS (6 cyl., RWD)
• Acura RL

Sports and Sporty Cars#1 Mazda Miata – This car gets points for reliability, easy handling, good performance and affordability.

Next Best Choices

• Lexus SC
• Honda S2000
• Toyota Camry Solara
• Acura RSX
• Toyota Celica
• Scion tC
• BMW Z3, Z4
• Acura Integra
• Porsche Boxster
• BMW M3
• Subaru Impreza WRX/STi
• Ford Mustang (V6)
• Nissan 350Z

Minivans#1 – Toyota Sienna – The 2003 redesign gave this reliable vehicle more power and more room, and is also available with AWD.

Next Best Choice

• Honda Odyssey

Small SUVs – Toyota RAV4 – This vehicle has been reliable since it was first introduced in 1996. The 2001 redesign brought more power plus more room inside and in 2006 an available third row was added.Next Best Choices

• Honda CR-V
• Subaru Forester
• Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsized and Large SUVs#1 – Honda Pilot – Since first introduced in 2003 this vehicle has had excellent crash test results and reliability. There is plenty of room in this fuel efficient vehicle and it also has flexible seating for eight.

Next Best Choices

• Toyota Highlander
• Lexus RX
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota 4Runner
• Infiniti FX35
• Acura MDX
• Infiniti QX4
• Lexus GX
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Subaru Tribeca
• Nissan Xterra (‘05-’08)
• Toyota Sequoia

Pickup Trucks#1 – Honda Ridgeline – This vehicle delivers all you need in a truck but handles and rides like a sedan. It has an in-bed, weather-tight lockable trunk and a smooth V6 engine.

Next Best Choices

• Toyota Tacoma (‘05-’08)
• Toyota Tundra
• Subaru Baja
• Nissan Frontier (‘05-’08)

As you can see from the results, Toyota and Honda come out way ahead of the pack for reliable used cars. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, this list will point you in the right direction for reliability.