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Planning to refi auto loan

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k-s
Regular Contributor

Planning to refi auto loan

So, about 8 months ago, my fiancé and I bought a car together. At the time, our credit was not as good as it now (no baddies, just youth and low AAoA), so we ended up with a pretty bad interest rate (5.14%). We have since increased our income, been approved for another auto loan (at 1.25% this time), gotten several prime credit cards, and seen our scores jump up. All is well for us now, except that darn interest rate! But, I am a member of a credit union and they just lowered their auto loan refi rates down to 1.85% for a 60 month term.

I calculated it and that would save us $50 a month (about $3000 over the life of the loan!) and I am very tempted to apply. The only thing that concerns me is that I was just approved for the BCE and TrueEarnings cards ($10,000 and $2,000 limits) and I'm wondering if A: will this be too many inquiries in too short a time period? and B: should I wait until the new Amex cards have had a chance to report for a bit?

I really want to take advantage of this savings, but not at the cost of my credit. What affect do you guys think this would have on my scores?
EQ MyFICO: 719 - Discover It TU FICO: 749 - EX 728
Amex PRG: NPSL | Amex Blue Sky: 2k | Amex BCE: 10k | Amex TrueEarnings: 5k | Amex Delta Gold: 2k | Discover It: 4k | SFCU: 13k | Quicksilver: 4k | Venture: 10k | Freedom: 2k | CSP: 7.5k | Amazon Visa: 5k | Citi TYPremier: 6.3k | Best Buy: 4.5k | Macy's Amex: 6k | Nordstrom: 4k | Old Navy Visa: 4k | Target: $1.2k | Angel: 1k
Message 1 of 6
5 REPLIES 5
Revelate
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Planning to refi auto loan

Best time to take additional inquiries is when you have several already mathematically Smiley Happy.  Constant sprees don't make any sense, but spacing them out to make one's applications in groups is a good approach.

 

Better to garden it all at the same time, if it'd save you money, just apply now.  Worst case you get denied and have to wait six months or whatever, which would be about the same time as just waiting anyway if trying to optimize for best chance, so this inquiry costs you next to nothing.

 




        
Message 2 of 6
parakleet
Valued Contributor

Re: Planning to refi auto loan

The whole point of having good credit is so that it'll save you money. If you have a chance to save some money with a refi, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Gardening since 7/16/14
Current: EQ 711 7/13/14; EX 724 TU 721 6/19/14
Goal: 760+
Message 3 of 6
kroberts67
Established Contributor

Re: Planning to refi auto loan

Saving $50/month is more important than score. Score is temporary, time goes by with perfect payments and inq fade away.
FICO: EQ 814 | TU 847 | EX ? (Started in the low 500's... you can do it!)

Amex BCE $25000, Amex AP $20000, SFFCU Visa $15000 + LOC $5000, USAA Amex $6000, USAA MC $7000, Cap1 $9500, Freedom $12000, Slate $500, Barclays "RIP" SM $11500, USBank Cash+ $12500, Citi Diamond $11200, Citi Double Cash $12000, Care Credit $13500k.
My Credit Repair Journey
Message 4 of 6
k-s
Regular Contributor

Re: Planning to refi auto loan

You guys are so right. I don't know what I was so worried about. I am definitely going to make an appointment with a loan officer at the bank next week. 

Thanks!

EQ MyFICO: 719 - Discover It TU FICO: 749 - EX 728
Amex PRG: NPSL | Amex Blue Sky: 2k | Amex BCE: 10k | Amex TrueEarnings: 5k | Amex Delta Gold: 2k | Discover It: 4k | SFCU: 13k | Quicksilver: 4k | Venture: 10k | Freedom: 2k | CSP: 7.5k | Amazon Visa: 5k | Citi TYPremier: 6.3k | Best Buy: 4.5k | Macy's Amex: 6k | Nordstrom: 4k | Old Navy Visa: 4k | Target: $1.2k | Angel: 1k
Message 5 of 6
SamsungHDTV
Established Contributor

Re: Planning to refi auto loan

I also vote for the refinance. Good luck.

Message 6 of 6
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