When you first start building your credit score it can be hard to know where to start and even harder to get people to trust you with a zero credit rating. While it may feel like you’re being punished before you’ve committed a crime, don’t worry. You can begin building towards a great credit score and not to mention finance a vehicle even if it may seem impossible.

Creditors and lenders use your credit history to establish whether or not you’re trustworthy. If you hope to take out a loan in the future, or buy a house, you need to establish a good credit rating early on and nurture that relationship over the years. We have a few tips to help you build up your credit.


1) Check out your credit score

I know you think you have a zero credit rating, but are you sure? Make sure you have a clean slate before you begin to move forward. Sometimes things you would not expect can show up on a credit report such as an unpaid library fine and a forgetten medical bill etc. Doing a credit report check will help you know exactly where you stand so when you have a discussion with lenders, they won’t blindside you! It will also give you the opportunity to pay off any of the sneaky debts you may have accumulated.


2) Apply for an auto loan and/or credit card.

You are more than capable of securing an auto loan with zero credit. It you are new to the country you start with a blank slate and creditors will often give you a chance, merely at a higher rate. While the rate may be higher than if you had already esablished an impeccable credit score, with the right team working for you, you can find yourself an affordable payment plan that works with your budget and still find a high quality vehicle.

If you are not in the market for a vehicle, credit cards are also a great way to establish trust with creditors. Talk to your local financial institution about what card may work for you. If you are in the position, you could get both. It you’re looking for a card and are able to secure a low-limit credit card, go for it! Taking loans and paying them back is how you establish credit.

3) Make your payments in full and on time

When you enter into a loan agreement, make sure that you are signing up for affordable payments. When you take out a loan, you are expected to make timely payments and if you fail to do so your credit score will fall. No if’s and’s or but’s. When discussing your financing options with the financial services department, make sure you are open and honest about what you can afford and don’t feel pressured to commit to something that is out of reach. If you feel the agent is pushing you, move on to work with someone more trustworthy.


If you have gone the credit card route, make small payments on your card that you are able to pay in full. It is not enough to pay the minimum payments so be aware of your spending and know that the creditors are watching!

While it may seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve been turned down, to get your first loan and build your credit score with zero credit, it is possible! An auto loan is a great way to start building towards a great future credit rating if you are in the financial position to do so. Everyone needs reliable transportation regardless of credit ratings. Working with a reputable lender and team of financial professionals like the staff at Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem is a great way to work towards your financial future.

Trying to find your next vehicle can seem like an endless process. With so many variables out there; new vs. used, private sale vs. dealership, lease vs. buy (and all this on top of which car!), it can be very overwhelming. Before pounding the pavement, we have a few tips that can help make your shopping experience a little less stressful and have you be a little more savvy. We are going to show you how to get buy with confidence by showing you the top four things to look for and ask yourself before making your next vehicle purchase.

Ask yourself what your real needs are.

Like all big decisions, financial or otherwise, doing some research will arm you with all the information you need. Before you start researching ask yourself how you and your family will be using this vehicle. If you are looking for a car to get you around town your needs will be different than someone who has a long daily commute. This is also a great opportunity to explore the possibility of new vs. used cars. Sometime buying used just makes more sense; they are less expensive than current models, and the right dealership can help you find a great financing plan, help with paperwork and find you a high quality vehicle.

Do a little online sleuthing!

Most car dealership have an online inventory available for you to browse from the comfort of your home. Explore these inventory pages and take a look at the specifications of some of the vehicles you’re interested in. This is also a great way to find dealership and factory incentives! Dealerships are often bringing their customers great savings opportunities so keep your eyes peeled, these are usually short term offers!
Once you know what kind of car you’re going to need (minivan, compact, sedan etc.) you can start to compare models and get a feel for the different features, add ons, and prices of different vehicles. This may seem like obvious advice but arming yourself with the right information is going to help you have productive conversations with the dealership you choose to work with.

Set a real budget aligned with your needs.

Once you have researched what’s available and picked the features that best fit your lifestyle, decide on a firm budget. This is where the previous two tips come into play. You know how much your ideal vehicles cost, you are armed with a “must haves and nice-to-haves” list. You’re ready to set your budget.  Be realistic and align your research with your finances. If a sound system is an absolute must, maybe you compromise with a smaller vehicle. If you really need the room of a larger SUV, sacrifice the power moon roof. It’s all about balance!

Always take it for a test drive.

Working with a reputable dealership like Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC is essential to getting the perfect vehicle that is not full of unwanted surprises. After you have set your budget, browsed the dealer’s incentives and you have picked some potential vehicles, go in and talk to the dealer. Take them out for a test drive, if they’re used vehicles you should ask for their vehicle history. The dealer should have this information available and be willing to share it with you. Knowing the quality of the vehicle you’re buying will help you determine any potential long-term care costs. This is also the added benefit of going through a dealership, transparency.
Shopping for a vehicle can be difficult if you don’t take the time to think about what you really need. By doing some research, thinking about what you actually need and doing your do-diligence once you’ve narrowed the field, you can relax a little and narrow your vehicle search to what fits your lifestyle and your budget.

Many people dream of owning luxury cars, but simply can’t find a way to justify the expense. Luckily, there are downmarket substitutions for just about every type of expensive car on the market. Our Winston-Salem used car dealership offers luxury alternatives at prices that will fit your budget. We also specialize in special finance and subprime auto loans- which means you can get the car you’ve been keeping an eye on!

The Comfort You Crave

When a car is such a frequently-used necessity, it’s perfectly rational to want one that can provide a superior ride, especially on long trips. Features like heated and cooled seating, generous passenger space, and premium interior appointments are some of the things that are associated with expensive cars, but those features are becoming more common in everyday, more affordable vehicles.

Take, for example, the Chrysler 300- it competes with Mercedes-Benz models in terms of performance and luxury. A powerful V8 engine provides performance-grade power under the hood, but with all the amenities you expect of a Chrysler. This roomy and smooth ride has the feel and the drive of a luxury ride, and shoppers are sure to love its awesome price tag! With the comprehensive used car financing we offer to Winston-Salem drivers, the luxury-grade vehicle you love is within reach.

The Must-Have Sports Cars

Is speed your need? Of course many upmarket brands also have serious contenders in the racing world, but luckily, there are plenty of more affordable sports cars, too. If you’re eying a BMW M series, you’ll probably think that there’s no comparison with anything on the road. However, we beg to differ: the Ford Mustang GT boasts a 435 horsepower V8 engine that can compete with the best of them. For drivers looking for a thrill ride, this may be the perfect pick with the perfect price.

There’s an affordable alternative for just about every luxury vehicle you want so badly. Contact us to see if we have a good fit for you!

Not everyone finds it easy to achieve financial security. Sometimes even a small bump in the road can leave your credit score damaged. If you’re looking for a new vehicle and you have a poor credit rating, don’t give up hope! There are ways to help secure an auto loan with bad credit and even start repairing past credit mistakes for a healthier financial future. Learn how securing a sub-prime loan is not only possible but can actually help you moving forward!

First let’s talk about what a subprime loan is. A subprime loans are loan agreements that are negotiated and awarded to individuals who have had issues with repayment in the past. While the rate is higher than that of someone with good credit, it is possible to find an affordable loan agreement, especially if you are working with a reputable dealer or loan facilitator.

While it’s possible to get approved or pre-approved you can increase your odds even further by taking a few steps to improve your credit before you apply for your auto loan. Try  ordering and checking your credit report. You want to be sure that you are familiar with your credit history, keeping track of any other outstanding payments that could be hurting you and you want to be able to ensure that the dealership gets all the correct information. You can also consider consolidating your debt and making sure that you make the minimum payment every month, even if you cannot pay your entire balance.

If these steps aren’t possible for you, or you find yourself unexpectedly needing an auto loan don’t panic! You can still reach out to a reputable lender and discuss your options!

Once you have secured a loan, making consistent and on time monthly payments will do wonders for your credit. You are now demonstrating that you are trustworthy and rebuilding your reputation as a borrower. This is essential to your success as a borrower in the future. Finding an affordable repayment plan is crucial and is possible so don’t give up! Work with someone who will work with you to create a customized plan. Your lender will report your progress and you can watch your credit rating rise! This won’t happen overnight but you can see your score rise over the term of your agreement.

If you’re looking for a sub-prime auto loan and have bad or poor credit, there are choices for you! Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC can help you create a customized repayment plan that works with your unique circumstance. Let your auto loan guide you to better credit, and secure personal transportation. We look at all your options and have access to a variety of financing packages to make sure that we can help as many people get on the road as possible.

In an industry that has to work hard to meet ever-evolving demands of consumers, there are bound to be a few stragglers left behind for one reason or another. Frequently, it’s not a quality issue- it’s simply a matter of falling prey to competition. At our Winston-Salem used car dealer, we make it a point to stock up on quality vehicles- even discontinued ones.

Efficient and Stylish

Before financial hardship resulted in the termination of the Saturn brand, it was a trustworthy model lineup with unique design elements, all structured on the ever-reliable GM platform. These sturdy and well-made cars were serviced by top-flight technicians, which is why the GM EV1, the first mass-produced electric vehicle from a major automaker, could only be serviced by Saturn dealerships. You can find fuel-efficient Saturn models right on our used car lot in Winston-Salem!

Speaking of unique design, it’s hard to find models more iconic than the Pontiac lineup. Classics like the Trans Am and GTO were hallmarks of the Pontiac brand, which halted production in 2009 as a result of General Motors’ reorganization. We wouldn’t let an American classic like Pontiac slip through our fingers- which is why we offer them to our shoppers at perfect prices!

Pillars of Design

When it comes to classic American vehicle aesthetics, you’d be hard-pressed to find brands quite as important as Mercury and Plymouth. Comfort always came first in the lush Mercury brand, which features a prominent grille and aerodynamic lines. Plymouth, which aimed for entry-level style, produced the famous Plymouth Prowler in the 90s- the aesthetically retro precursor to the PT Cruiser. Though Plymouth was discontinued in 2001, its standards of superior design on every level live on in American models today.

Interested in owning a piece of automotive history? Visit our dealership and check out some of the discontinued brands we have available to you. You get all the perks of riding around in a progressively more obscure vehicle while enjoying the time-tested reliability of American-made cars. Take a look at these and the rest of our selection!