ypically the interest rate on a new-car loan is lower, and you can get a six-year loan...as much as buying a car on payments is a sucker bet, it can make budgeting easier.

I got my Fit new, with financing from Honda: zero point nine percent over five years. At that rate I didn't quibble over sticker price. A Honda dealer's margin on a new Fit is about $500. I'm paying less than that for the total interest.