Bankrate.com
News & Advice Compare Rates Calculators
Rate Alerts  |  Glossary  |  Help
Mortgage Home
Equity
Auto CDs &
Investments
Retirement Checking &
Savings
Credit
Cards
Debt
Management
College
Finance
Taxes Personal
Finance

Columns: Driving for Dollars
Terry Jackson   Expert: Terry Jackson
Driving for Dollars
Consumer affairs office can help
Driving for Dollars

Terms in used car purchase sound fishy
 

Dear Terry,
OK, I knew that I possibly would have to suffer consequences out of desperation for a used car, but little did I know it would get this out of control.

- advertisement -

I signed an agreement to keep this car for at least 18 months until eligible for trade. I am now in regret because I am suffering so much trauma being "out of pocket" with this car. I am paying literally $170 every two weeks for this car.

I signed an arbitration agreement that states that I can dispute the agreement and go into court. But how (with the least amount of hassle) can I get this reduced, or even be eligible for trade earlier than anticipated?
-- Rugi

Dear Rugi,
I am going to make some assumptions here: You bought a used car from a "buy-here, pay-here'' used car lot, and it's the dealer who gets your biweekly payments rather than a traditional lender, such as a bank. That's why you have this bizarre agreement that you can't trade the vehicle -- presumably back to the dealer -- for at least 18 months.

I don't know what the lending laws are in your state, but it might be worth contacting your state's consumer affairs bureau to have them look over your contract. Something seems fishy here. When buying a vehicle, you should be free to trade it or sell it at any time provided the loan amount is covered.

Here are this week's reader questions:
6 key ways car shopping has changed
How can I reduce my car debt burden?
Does a job loss limit my car loan options?
Can I dump a "charge off" from my record?
Bankrate.com's corrections policy -- Posted: Nov. 7, 2008
Read more Driving for Dollars columns
Ask a question

Auto Loans
Compare today's rates
NATIONAL OVERNIGHT AVERAGES
48 month new car loan 3.62%
60 month new car loan 3.78%
48 month used car loan 4.80%
RELATED CALCULATORS
  Auto loan calculator  
  A rebate or special dealer financing?  
  How much will the auto lease really cost?  
VIEW ALL  
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Rev up your portfolio
with these tips and tricks.
- advertisement -
- advertisement -

About Bankrate | Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights | Online Media Kit | Partnerships | Investor Relations | Press Room | Contact Us | Sitemap
NYSE: RATE | RSS Feeds |

* Mortgage rate may include points. See rate tables for details. Click here.
* To see the definition of overnight averages click here.

Bankrate.com ®, Copyright © 2012 Bankrate, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Terms of Use.