Our 2011 minivan recently got totaled (yes - they already had cars back in 2011 😄 ). I haven't bought a car in a bunch of years and am wondering how the experience has changed: 1. The insurance is giving us around 10K for the minivan, but we will probably have to finance the rest - are the credit unions still the best places to do that? 2. If I am putting down roughly 1/3 of the amount, does my credit score matter? 3. What is the current average auto rate? 4. We live in Baltimore - is Lakewood "the place" to buy cars now or is that just a rumor? 5. Does the year of the car matter or just the mileage? So, if there are 2 cars with the same mileage, but one is of a more recent year (and thus more expensive)...? 6. Any other questions I am not thinking of?

1. Credit unions may have a Ribbis issue. Ask your LOR 2. I would assume yes. Loan rates tend to be based on credit scores, among other things 5. My personal opinion on modern cars is that year is more important than mileage. I prefer a 3-4 year old car with 100k miles than a 6 year old car with 50k. But I cannot back this up with serious stats.

@nutritious-raincoat-28876 - why do credit unions have any more of a Ribbis issue than banks? I am thinking APLFCU (aplfcu.org) - I would be shocked if it's owned by a Yid.

My understanding: Credit unions are "owned" by the members. So if any Jew has deposited money in the credit union, it can be a problem

I see what you are saying - interesting

Just get a toyota sienna or a honda odyssey that's less then 7 years old, get it checked by a reputable mechanic and you should be good to go.

2006 Sienna here 😎

Mechanics only see so much. You want to make the sure the car hasn't been in any major accidents and that is has been well maintained. Highway miles are also better than local miles...

@nutritious-raincoat-28876 - Overheard that my LOR take holds that even though CUs have makilim, the one who doesn't use them for autoloans תבוא עליו ברוכה Shkoach for bringing this to my attention!

ChatGPT is fun and a great start, but always verify anything it tells you. It can hallucinate

absolutely - here is my exchange the other day