MONEY DECISION GUIDE
48 vs. 72-Month Car Loan
A longer loan lowers the payment but can raise interest cost and negative-equity risk.
Reviewed and updated September 3, 2026 · About 2 min read
A practical way to decide
- Compare total interest and the full ownership cost—not only the advertised monthly payment.
- A 72-month term keeps debt around longer while the vehicle usually loses value. That can make selling or replacing it harder.
- Stress-test insurance, fuel, maintenance, registration, and the payment inside your monthly surplus before deciding.
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