Financing a used car in New York may not be on the minds of many college grads

For younger first-time buyers, used cars in New York and other states may be their most likely choice, but auto financiers say they may not recognize the benefits of taking out a car loan.

Capital One Auto Finance recently released the results of a survey of college students about to graduate, having asked them about their budget for their first vehicle purchase and how they planned to pay for it.

The company found that about two-thirds of the respondents were planning on buying used cars because of their budgets, but nearly half also want to pay cash, up 15 percent from last year.

“Buying a car is not an intuitive process and it can be intimidating for first time purchasers, especially in such a challenging economic environment,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, president of Capital One Auto Finance, but added that parents who have been through the process can help their children understand what options make the most sense in terms of paying for a car.

He says that graduates considering used cars in New York and other options should research and compare prices, as well as financing options, and be sure to know what their credit rating is prior to approaching a seller.