We’ve all heard the commercials: “Come on down, we’ll give you $2,500 for your trade-in – no matter the condition! That’s right! Push, pull, or drag your vehicle to our store and we guarantee…” If it sounds too good to be true, you’re right. These deals – sometimes known as push, pull, or drag events – are called minimum trade-in allowances, and they can cost you big time if you’re not careful.

Terminology varies around the world, even when you're talking about car loans. Take the phrase “low doc” car loan. This isn't something we're accustomed to in the US, but in Australia, it refers to getting a car loan without income documentation. This is something which can be very difficult to do if you have bad credit.

It can be tempting to jump into the car buying process, but it can pay off in the long run to take a step back and really prepare for the task at hand – especially when it comes to saving up a down payment for a car. Here's where your money goes, and why a down payment is a big helping hand when you have poor credit and need a car.

The holidays make a perfect time for car shopping, and for taking advantage of some of the best deals of the year – especially on certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. CPO cars make a great choice for credit challenged people who are in need of a vehicle.

You may feel like you can't qualify for a car loan if your credit is horrible, but that may not be the case. No matter how far down your credit gets, you can build it back up with the right practices. You might be surprised by the auto loan options that are out there for you.

A buy here pay here dealer can be a unique option for people who feel they have no choices left for a car loan. They do the lending themselves, which truly makes the car financing and shopping process a one-stop experience. Though there aren't as many requirements as a traditional lender, you'll still need to meet their qualifications.

There are several classifications that car titles can fall into. Regardless of the status of a vehicle's title, the bottom line is it has to be signed. So, if you're purchasing a car, beware if the title isn't signed, or it isn’t in the name of the person selling it.

For the most part, everyone likes to get the best deal they can, and getting the best interest rate on a car loan is no exception. But there’s no one size fits all annual percentage rate on car loans, so instead of worrying about the best rate, focus on getting your best rate.

As an automotive special finance writer, I give my readers advice every day on how to be smart about their credit. But I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve struggled with credit my entire adult life. So, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and use the advice I give as a writer to improve my own credit.

With the auto industry pushing forward new technologies such as autonomous vehicles, a new survey highlights the fact that people enjoy driving, and want to preserve the driving experience.