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The websites require you to specify a loan amount and term and before they tell you if you qualify, the interest rate, and whether it will be secured or unsecured.

Is there a way to figure these factors out without submitting different applications with different variables?

For example: Rates for each loan amount and term combination below are shown in a minimum to maximum range because LightStream rates vary based on your credit profile. The lowest rate in each range is for LightStream's unsecured auto loan product and requires that you have an excellent credit profile. If your application is approved, your credit profile will determine your rate and whether your auto loan will be unsecured or secured. N/A means that LightStream loans are not available for that loan amount and term combination. - https://www.suntrust.com/loans/auto-loans-financing/used-car-loans

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  • What websites? Loan calculators? A secured loan just means you are borrowing to buy something that can be repossessed (car, home, boat, etc.)
    – D Stanley
    Jul 14, 2017 at 22:01
  • @DStanley technically a secured loan is any loan backed by collateral or other guarantees. The purpose of the loan doesn't have to be to buy the collateral although it is often the case in retail use cases (auto loan, mortgage...)
    – ApplePie
    Jul 14, 2017 at 22:30
  • I've updated my question with an example of a site I'm considering applying at. Jul 15, 2017 at 1:26
  • What are you wanting to borrow money for? If you're wanting a car loan you'll be much better off getting a secured one since it reduces the bank's risk and they'll charge a lower interest rate.
    – D Stanley
    Jul 17, 2017 at 15:26
  • @DStanley an auto loan. As you can see from the updated verbiage, they decide on whether it will be secured or not. What I'm interested in learning is how much money I can borrow for the lowest interest rate. Jul 17, 2017 at 21:21

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You can find out the most money they will loan you for a car loan when you approach your current bank/credit union. They should be willing to layout options based on your income, and credit history. You then have to decide if those terms work for you.

There are several dangers with getting loan estimates, they may be willing to lend you more than you can actually handle. They think you can afford it, but maybe you can't. They may also have a loan with a longer term, which does bring the monthly cost down, but exposes you to being upside down on the loan.

You then use this a a data point when looking at other lenders. The last place you look is the auto dealer. They will be trying to pressure you on both the loan and the price, that is not the time to do doing complex mental calculations.

The Suntrust web page was interesting, it included the quote:

The lowest rate in each range is for LightStream's unsecured auto loan product and requires that you have an excellent credit profile.

It also induced the example the rate of 2.19% - 4.24% for a 24 to 36 month loan of $10,000 to $24,999 for a used car purchased from a dealer.

Also note that my local credit union has a new/used loan at 1.49%, but you have to be a member.

Sunstrust seems to be in the minority. In general a loan for X$ and y months will have a lower rate if it is secured with collateral. But Suntrust is offering unsecured loans (i.e. no collateral) at a low rate. The big benefit for their product is that you get the cash today. You can get the cash before you know what you want to buy. You get the cash before you have negotiated with the dealer. That makes that step easier.

Now will they in the near future ask for proof you bought a car with the money? no idea.

If you went to the same web page and wanted a debt consolidation loan the rate for the same $ range and the same months is: 5.49% - 11.24%

the quote now changes to:

The lowest rate in each range requires that you have an excellent credit profile.

I have no idea what rate they will actually approve you for. It is possible that if you don't have excellent credit the rate rises quickly, but 4.24% for the worst auto loan is better than 5.49% for the best debt consolidation.

Excellent Credit

Given the unique nature of each individual’s credit situation, LightStream believes there is no single definition for "excellent credit". However, we find individuals with excellent credit usually share the following characteristics:

  • Five or more years of significant credit history.
  • A credit history with a variety of account types such as major credit cards (for example, Visa, MasterCard, Amex), installment debt (vehicle loans) and mortgage debt if applicable.
  • An excellent payment history with no delinquencies or other problems repaying debt obligations.
  • A proven ability to save evidenced by some or all of the following; liquid assets (stocks, bonds, bank deposits, etc.), cash down payments on real estate, retirement savings, and little, if any, revolving credit card debt.
  • Stable and sufficient income and assets to easily repay current debt obligations and any new loan with LightStream.

Finally, it should be noted again that each individual situation is different and that we make our credit judgment based on the specific facts of that situation. Ultimately our determination of excellent credit is based on whether we conclude that there is a very high likelihood that our loan will be repaid in a full and timely manner.

All the rates mentioned in this answer are from 15 July 2017.

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  • Thanks for the answer. What you are saying is to get in touch with a person instead of using a website to figure out what my options are before actually shopping at online lenders and filling out their applications? Also, I edited my question to include some verbiage from suntrust which seems to indicate that I could possible get a loan without collateral, which seems to contract what you're saying. Can you clarify? Jul 15, 2017 at 1:26

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