Car Loan Calculator

Before you start shopping, learn how much you can afford to spend

Luckily, Birchwood Credit Solutions has a nifty online tool to help you determine your budget. We’ll show you how our Car Loan Calculator works and explain why it’s beneficial for every customer.

Vehicle Cost $[[ formatPrice(principal) ]]

Loan Duration [[ nper ]] [[ nper === 1 ? 'Year' :'Years' ]]

How is your credit?

Most lenders may be reluctant to approve customers with a credit score under 500. At Birchwood Credit, we look at your entire financial situation, not just your credit score.

The average credit score in Canada is around 650. Having average credit should open up more lending opportunities.

A credit score of 660 or above is considered good and lenders will typically view these customers as low-risk borrowers.

A credit score of 780 and up is considered excellent. Customers in this category are viewed as reliable borrowers and will get the best interest rates.

Projected Payment

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Bi-Weekly Payment $[[ formatPrice(biweekly) ]]

Weekly Payment $[[ formatPrice(weekly) ]]

Car Loan Terminology

There are three important numbers to keep in mind when it comes to a car loan: principal, term and interest rate.

The principal is the total cost of the vehicle, including taxes, loan administration fees and any add-ons you choose. The term is the length of time that payment will be made on the loan — typical terms range from 36 to 72 months. The interest rate is the percentage the lender is charging you to borrow.

Our Car Loan Calculator takes all of these into consideration to give you an idea of what your monthly loan payments will be under different circumstances.

How the Car Loan Calculator Works

The Car Loan Calculator is easy to use and gives you a range of monthly payment possibilities based on your financial and credit situation.

Step 1:
Select the price of your vehicle on the first sliding scale. This number represents your principal and ranges from $5,000 to $50,000. If you’ve already been shopping around, try to be as accurate as possible with this number.

Step 2:
Choose the duration, or term, of your loan. Slide the dial between one and 72 months to see how different terms affect your projected monthly payment.

Step 3:
Pick which credit category you fall under. It’s okay if you don’t know your credit score. The choices are broad and give a general idea of how interest rates can affect your payments. Customers with higher credit scores can usually access lower interest rates and therefore have lower monthly payments than those with poor credit.

Play around with the different options to find a monthly payment that works with your budget. Maybe that means opting for a less expensive vehicle or choosing a loan with a longer term. Whatever the case may be, the Car Loan Calculator is a good way to visualize the purchase.

Why Should You Make Budget for Your Loan?

You’ll want to consider everything from maintenance and gas, to insurance and loan payments when making a budget.

A budget will also determine whether you can afford a down payment. This will help you decide between a new or used vehicle. New vehicles are more expensive and depreciate faster in value faster than used cars. On the other hand, buying new means you’re covered under the manufacturer’s warranty if anything goes wrong in the first few years of ownership. Used cars are cheaper upfront but may require more maintenance in the long run.

In addition to your projected monthly loan payments, you should make sure your budget has room for all of these other car ownership costs.

Whatever your budget, Birchwood Credit Solutions can help you finance a vehicle that fits your lifestyle. Applying for our flexible in-house financing is fast and easy. Fill out an online application or get in touch to learn more about our services.