An 800 credit score sits firmly in excellent territory, the tier that earns the lowest rates a lender offers. That minimizes the loan portion of the complete monthly cost. But even the best score does not lower the other ownership costs, so a buyer with an 800 score still needs to choose the vehicle carefully to keep the complete number down.

The Best Rates Available

At 800, you qualify for the lowest advertised auto loan rates, and you have strong leverage to decline marked-up dealer financing. The low rate reduces the payment and total interest, giving the loan portion of the complete monthly cost its smallest reasonable footprint. In most states, an excellent score also helps on insurance.

The Rest Still Matters

Fuel, maintenance, and registration do not care about your credit score. A buyer with an 800 score who chooses a thirsty, expensive-to-maintain vehicle can still end up with a high complete monthly cost. The excellent score is a powerful advantage on financing, but the complete monthly cost still depends on the whole picture.

Maximizing an Excellent Score

CarCostCX shows the complete monthly cost for your credit tier on every listing, so an excellent-credit buyer can see the full number, not just the favorable rate.

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