# Auto Refinance Resources

### [What is car refinancing & how does it work?](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/how-does-refinancing-a-car-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](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)
- Apr 7, 2025
- 7 min read

[Does refinancing a car hurt your credit score?](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/does-refinancing-a-car-hurt-your-credit)

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.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Mar 19, 2025

6 min read

[What is the total cost of owning a car?](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/essential-factors-that-impact-the-total-cost-of-car-ownership)

The total cost of owning a car includes the purchase price, interest on loans, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration, depreciation, and unexpected expenses.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Feb 5, 2025

3 min read

[Pros and cons of leasing vs. buying a car](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/important-factors-to-consider-when-leasing-or-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.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Jan 15, 2025

7 min read

[When to refinance your car loan (& when to wait)](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/when-can-i-refinance-my-car-loan)

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.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Dec 21, 2024

6 min read

[Why a good credit score is important when buying a car](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/what-is-a-good-credit-score-to-buy-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.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Sep 30, 2024

6 min read

[When is a good time to buy a car?](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance/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.

[Auto Refinance](https://www.happen.com/resource-center/auto-refinance)

Jan 4, 2023

8 min read