Happen Bank Resource Center
Auto Refinance Resources
What is car refinancing & how does it work?
Auto loan refinancing is when you use a new car loan to pay down your old loan—often with a lower monthly payment or interest rate.
- Auto Refinance
- Apr 7, 2025
- 7 min read
Does refinancing a car hurt your credit score?
Your credit score may be impacted when you refinance your auto loan thanks to a hard credit check, but the effects are typically short-lived.
Mar 19, 2025
6 min read
What is the total cost of owning a car?
The total cost of owning a car includes the purchase price, interest on loans, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration, depreciation, and unexpected expenses.
Feb 5, 2025
3 min read
Pros and cons of leasing vs. buying a car
Should you lease or buy your next car? Leasing costs less on a monthly basis and puts limits on how you can use your car. Buying comes with ownership responsibility but will cost you less in the long run.
Jan 15, 2025
7 min read
When to refinance your car loan (& when to wait)
Timing matters when refinancing an auto loan. So before opting for a new loan, make sure you understand when it’s a good idea to refinance and when it’s better to wait.
Dec 21, 2024
6 min read
Why a good credit score is important when buying a car
If you’re in the market for a new car, you might be wondering if your current credit score will help you get a good deal or hold you back. Your credit score is an important part of the process, but it’s not the only factor. Though good and excellent credit scores help when taking out any line of credit, it is possible to buy a car with a less-than-ideal score.
Sep 30, 2024
6 min read
When is a good time to buy a car?
Is now a good time to buy a car? At the time of this writing, inventory shortages, rising interest rates, a lack of dealer incentives, and a stressful shopping experience are still making the car-buying process unusually difficult for buyers of both new and used cars.
Jan 4, 2023
8 min read