Financing
Apply for financing
Use the secure application below to start the financing process. The dealer's financing partner handles the information entered in the embedded application.
Buying your first car? Start with our first-time buyer guide. Considering a buy-here-pay-here lot? Read why our lender financing is usually the better route.
Credit application
What helps an approval
Lenders look at your whole situation, not just a score. Having these ready usually makes the process faster and the options better:
- A valid driver's license
- Proof of income (recent pay stubs or bank statements)
- Proof of residence (a utility bill works)
- A down payment
- A trade-in, if you have one
- Accurate information on the application
Prefer to talk first?
Not ready to apply? Leave your name and number and we'll walk you through your options — no application needed, nothing pulled.
Ask about financing
How used-car financing actually works
When you finance a car, a lender — a bank, credit union, or finance company — pays the dealer for the vehicle and you repay the lender in monthly payments. The dealer's job is matching your situation to the right lender; your payments then go directly to that lender, and on-time payments are typically reported to the credit bureaus, which can help build or rebuild your credit.
APR (annual percentage rate)
The yearly cost of borrowing, as a percentage. Your APR depends on your credit profile, the vehicle, the term, and the lender — two buyers can get different rates on the same car.
Term
How many months you repay over (commonly 36–72). A longer term lowers the monthly payment but costs more in total interest — the calculator on every vehicle page lets you compare.
Down payment
Money you put in up front. It lowers the amount financed, usually improves approval odds, and can earn a better rate. Trade-in value can count toward it.
Out-the-door price
The real total: vehicle price plus tax, title, registration, and dealer fees. Priced vehicles on this site show an out-the-door estimate right on the vehicle page, so the number at signing isn't a surprise.
A few honest tips: get pre-approved before you fall in love with a specific car; budget for insurance (it's required on every financed vehicle) and ask us for help finding a good rate; and judge affordability by the out-the-door payment, not the sticker. First car? Our first-time buyer guide walks through the whole thing step by step.
Financing questions, answered straight
- Do you offer buy here pay here financing?
- No — Cars R Us is not a buy here pay here lot. We arrange financing through outside lenders instead, including options for bad credit and no credit — usually on better terms, and payments are typically reported to the credit bureaus, so paying on time can help your credit. The full comparison is on our buy here pay here page.
- Can I get financed with bad credit or no credit?
- That's exactly what our lender network is for. Approval is based on your whole situation — income and stability, not just a score. Bad credit, no credit, past repossession, or first-time buyer: tell us where you stand and we'll work through real options.
- Do you work with bankruptcies?
- Often, yes. Some of the lenders we work with have options for buyers with a discharged bankruptcy. If your bankruptcy is still open, come talk to us anyway — we'll tell you honestly what's possible now and what has to wait.
- How fast can I get approved?
- Most approvals come together the same day. Applying online before you visit usually makes the visit faster.
- How much do I need for a down payment?
- There's no fixed number — it depends on the car and the lender. A down payment usually helps your approval and lowers your monthly payment, and a trade-in can count toward it.
- Do I need a co-signer?
- Usually not. A co-signer is an option that can help in some situations, but many buyers — including first-timers — qualify on their own income.
- What should I bring to apply?
- A valid driver's license, proof of income (recent pay stubs or bank statements), and proof of residence (a utility bill works). Bring those three and we'll walk you through the rest.
- Do I need insurance before I drive home?
- Yes — insurance is required on every financed vehicle. Cars R Us has plenty of experience helping buyers get insured or find a better rate, so don't let that stop you.