Do they offer GAP coverage?
See post 47.
Saw mine for the first time as part of an identity-theft program (reputable company).
It’s probably not worth worrying about small differences. I saw some interesting explanations for my score (around 800).
First, I have a couple of credit cards that I usually don’t use (keep them as a “safety” back-up). It turns out that will lower a score by some (small) amount.
Also, one credit-reporting organization said I had a balance of about $2,000 on a card, which also was supposedly a negative. Turns out I always pay off the card I use monthly
so it was somewhat of a surprise (if the report had been done one week later the balance would have been zero!).
Finally, big purchases (such as a car) are always paid in cash, so the credit-reporting organization has no info to make an estimate (sounds almost like what’s been happening in the sub-prime mortgage market?).
I suspect the person who said 720 or above is good has it right.
gap coverage is best gotten thru your auto insurance agency. you can take it off at anytime that way. if you get it thru the dealer, they charge you for coverage for the full term up front, then add it onto the loan.
as far as financing.. some of us feel greater need to have a reliable vehicle. if it were just for me, i’d buy a beater for cash, but having wife and kids, i feel more comfortable with a car with a warranty, that i know is going to start every time i stick my key in it.