Advertising Disclosure Acorn Finance receives compensation from some of the companies featured on our website, which may influence the presentation and order of the offers shown. Please note that not all loan options, savings products, or lenders are represented on our site.

Personal Loan For Down Payment On Car

Compare monthly payment options from several lenders in under 2 minutes.

Online Loans For Car Down Payments

Can I use a personal loan for a down payment on a car?

Technically, yes you can use a personal loan to come up with the cash for a down payment to purchase a vehicle. Personal loans offer a lump sum of cash to be repaid in fixed installments over a predetermined repayment period with interest. With few spending restrictions, there are many ways to use the funds. In addition, some lenders can deposit the funds directly to your account. As an alternative you may also be able to use a credit card for a down payment on an auto loan. However, if you are unable to repay the credit card balance quickly, it can be much more costly compared to a personal loan. 

Before financing a down payment on a car, you may want to consider budget impacts from taking on two new payments; one for the down payment loan and one for the vehicle loan. Vehicle ownership can also come along with other expenses such as insurance, maintenance, parking fees, and more. While reliable transportation is of utmost importance, so is keeping up with payment commitments.

Get Started

Compare rates from top lenders

About LightStream

Coming Soon…

Pros

Coming Soon…

Cons

Coming Soon…

About Sofi

Coming Soon…

Pros

Coming Soon…

Cons

Coming Soon…

About Upgrade

Coming Soon…

Pros

Coming Soon…

Cons

Coming Soon…

About Bestegg

Coming Soon…

Pros

Coming Soon…

Cons

Coming Soon…

Learn More About Personal Loans For Car Downpayments

Personal loans can be used to buy a car. If you are making an inexpensive or private party purchase, a personal loan may be a good option. In most cases, a traditional auto loan will make the most sense but there are plenty of scenarios where a personal loan may work. Auto loans often have strict guidelines and requirements that you may not meet. Keep reading to learn more about using a personal loan to buy a car.

Read more - FAQ

What are the advantages of using a personal loan for a car down payment?

Utilizing a personal loan to come up with the cash for a down payment to purchase a vehicle may have some advantages. While the pros and cons can be situational, here are a few basic advantages that may be relevant. 

  • Qualify for an auto loan: In some cases, a specified down payment can be a requirement in order to get your auto loan funded and approved. If you’re unable to come up with the down payment, you may not be able to obtain the loan.
  • Avoid using a high APR credit card: In some cases, you can use a credit card to cover the down payment for a vehicle. While this can be convenient, with interest compounding daily, credit cards can lead to a cycle of debt. Personal loans on the other hand come with fixed installments over a predetermined period. Once you’ve made all the required installments on time, the loan is paid in full. Personal loans can be more cost-effective and simpler to manage. 
  • Keep savings intact: You may have the cash available for a down payment, but want to reserve it for emergencies. If this is the case, a personal loan can allow you to keep savings intact. 

What credit score is needed for a down payment personal loan?

Personal loans can be offered by some lenders up to $100,000, depending on credit score. As for credit score requirements, they can vary by lender. Offers are more likely to be returned to borrowers with fair, good, or excellent credit. According to the FICO® score scale the fair range falls between 580-660. While some lenders may have minimum credit score requirements lower and higher than this, this might help you determine your chances. It’s worth mentioning as well that some lenders may not have a minimum credit score requirement at all. 

Will using a personal loan for a down payment improve my car loan offer?

The car loan and the personal loan are separate. While increasing your down payment may help lower your payment, the repayment period and other details of the loan will likely stay the same. Talk with the auto loan lender to find ways to improve the auto loan offer. 

Can using a personal loan affect my car loan application?

It depends. One of the factors that can impact a loan decision is your current debt-to-income ratio. If you take out a separate loan for the down payment, your debt-to-income ratio can increase. If the lender notices, this may change their decision. While you may not want to advertise your plan to use another loan for the down payment, transparency is important. To ensure you can successfully carry out your plan, you may want to check with the auto loan lender or dealership facilitating the loan to confirm that taking out another loan won’t change the offer. 

When does a personal loan for a car work best?

Personal loans can be used to purchase a car. Compared to an auto loan, the rates may be higher, but there can be fewer restrictions. With an auto loan, the vehicle needs to meet certain criteria such as year model, mileage, title status, loan to value, and so forth. The requirements can vary by lender. A personal loan however does not take into consideration the vehicle being purchased. A personal loan is simply based on the creditworthiness of the borrower. If you’re looking to purchase an older vehicle, or one on a budget, a personal loan can offer more flexibility. 

Where can I get a personal loan for my car down payment?

Personal loans are a popular lending product, and therefore can be offered by many banks, credit unions, and online lenders. The online marketplace for personal loans can offer increased access to lenders and convenience.

Can I apply for a down payment personal loan with bad credit?

Bad credit can limit your options when it comes to qualifying for a loan. In addition, it can make it more challenging to take on more debt. To increase your chance of approval, you may want to invest time boosting your credit score. To get started on this path, check your credit score. Credit monitoring services can offer access to your credit report as well as suggestions on how to boost your score. Offers are more likely to be returned to borrowers with fair, good, or excellent credit. According to the FICO® score scale the fair range falls between 580-660.

Is it a good idea to use a personal loan for a car down payment?

The right financial decisions can depend on your situation. While taking on debt should be limited as much as possible, there are plenty of cases where it can help us make our budget work for us. Consider the pros and cons, as well as additional costs to determine if it makes sense for you. Checking personal loan offers can help you make the determination as well. Do so without credit score impact at Acorn Finance

Why choose Acorn Finance for personal loans on car down payments?

Acorn Finance partners with top national lenders to provide a secure platform for consumers to check loan offers through. With access to more lenders in one place, you can increase the chance of returning an offer. From your smartphone or computer, you can unlock offers in seconds with no credit score impact. Whether you’re just shopping around, or serious about the idea, you can do your due diligence without any commitment or impact. The convenience of comparing offers from multiple lenders in one place can help you find the right loan offer seamlessly. 

Discover the road to competitive personal loan offers with no credit score impact. . . visit Acorn Finance today!

Get prequalified for a personal loan to buy a car. . . check offers today!

See Also

$10000 Loan Calculator

Find the loan you're looking for

Table comparing monthly payments, APRs for approved personal loans.
1
See your options
Take a few minute to answer few questions, and we'll match you with the right range of lenders to consider
2
Choose your loan
Find your favorite marketplace of offers and apply directly with the lender you prefer
3
Do your project
If you're approved, use your funds to cover all your costs now, and pay the lender back month by month

What can I do with a $10,000 personal loan?

A $10,000 personal loan has a number of uses, including (but not limited to):
Home improvement Buying a car Wedding costs
Debt consolidation Medical bills Startup business costs

Still have questions?

One home, endless possibilities

MORE HOME IMPROVEMENT FINANCING OPTIONS

Personal Loan Information