Buying A Car Soon, Financing Advice?

Buying car soon, financing advice?
My girlfriend and I have been talking about buying our first car in the fall... we would like to start saving money for a down payment but are not really sure what our target should be... We would like to get either a Mazda3 or Mazda6 but my credit is not good... im just finally getting out of 3 years of debt, which has resulted in my credit card being taken away... is 10 months too short to do a major repair on my credit?? As well my girlfriend has very little credit as she has just finally got her first bill in her name and has not had credit before... we are looking at getting her a secured credit card to help build her credit...

What are the chances of us being able to secure a loan for a car? Should I apply? my girlfriend or jointly? and is a Mazda out of our price range?? (Meaning do you think its possible we could secure a car loan for around $13,000) Together we make about $50,000 a year.gross.

Thanks for your advice!

Do you two want to appear before Judge Judy when your relationship goes bad?

I would suggest that you don't go into this together. If you are intent on getting married, then you might do it. However, you have referred to her as your girlfriend and not fiancee, so what happens to the car if the relationship goes sour? Have you thought this out? This is much more important than the actual financing of the car.

If I were you, I would put the car in only one person's name, and have a mutual agreement on how to split the cost, but also agree that the person who has the car in their name gets to keep it if your relationship goes bad. They also get to keep the grief when the financing goes bad as well.

ok,
You both have good income.
2 options for you :

1) buy now at high rate using your GF credit
2) repair your credit and build hers in 6 monthes or so

in either way

talk to a credit union first and do not visit a dealership now at all !! unless you have financing lined up.

also visit

www.pastispastautocredit.com
click on auto loans , you may get approved online.

good luck 2 you.

BTW : dealers will run your credit and send it to 20 banks ( which will decrease your score , do not visit a dealer for now.

Save up and pay cash for your Mazda. Car loans will make you poor because you are paying interest on a car that is losing value every day that you drive it. If you can't afford to pay for the car with cash, then you can't afford it.