zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
Honda Finally Caved, Will Offer 7 Year Loans
Honda Finally Caved, Will Offer 7 Year Loans-May 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:24

Image for article titled Honda Finally Caved, Will Offer 7 Year Loans

Cars are getting more and more expensive, especially with EVs on the horizon. As of January of this year, the was heading towards $50,000. But automakers and their respective finance companies want you to know they’re here for you. They’re going to do whatever they can to make sure that monthly payment looks attractive and affordable, and that’s why they’ve been pushing loan terms farther out. Honda is the latest automaker to jump on the long-term wagon, as reports that the company is now offering 84-month loans.

“But wait,” you may say. “Didn’t Honda say those kinds of loans weren’t good?” You’re right, dear reader. Back in 2015, speaking to at the North American International Auto Show, Honda’s U.S. sales chief John Mendel said that Honda wouldn’t be getting in on 84-month loan terms, saying, “You’re ringing the bell on a new-car sale, but that customer is saddled — they’re stretched so thin.” He then called the long terms “stupid not just for us, but for the industry.”

Honda’s site still shows 72-month terms even though 84 months became available April 1st.

Ironically, 84 months later, the company is now offering the very thing it said it wouldn’t do. Previously, the longest term you could do with Honda was just 72 months. But the company says the 84-month terms will be offered after feedback from dealers.

While that 84-month term may make that payment on an Si look appealing, it’s not a good idea in the long run. For one, the vehicle will lose value faster than you can repay the loan, and the long term means a person will be paying more interest, especially if a buyer doesn’t have a Tier 1 (scores of 700 or above) credit score.

The worst credit Honda will finance for 84 months is so-called Tier 8, or a credit score of 660 to 669. However, with a rate of 7.85% APR, or 8.85% with dealer markup, a $30,000 car could cost well over $40,000. Although longer loans can be a tool to score lower monthly payments, the total cost can be easy to overlook.

And yes, you read that right, dealers can markup a percentage rate on a loan. Looks like it won’t be long until 96-month terms are the industry norm.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
May 6, 2025
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
May 6, 2025
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
May 6, 2025
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
May 6, 2025
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
May 6, 2025
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
May 6, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved