
Can I buy a car before filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Buying a car before bankruptcy is not always the best financial move.
Kellye Guinan is a Bankrate editor. She joined the team in 2024 with seven years of experience already under her belt covering everything from auto loans to debt consolidation. Her journey started the same as most people, with little knowledge of the finance world outside budgeting basics.
Kellye helps others navigate auto and personal loans. At her core, she believes people deserve to make the most of their money and feel confident managing their finances, so she strives to write about personal finance in ways everyone can understand. Her goal is to break down the most complex aspects of personal finance into manageable tips paired with expert advice.
In her free time, she loves studying languages and reading an absurd amount of books. You can often find her around Chattanooga drinking bubble tea and lounging by the river. And yes, she will talk your ear off about the importance of smart budgeting — even when she’s not working.
No one is born with an innate knowledge of finance, but everyone can learn it if they have access to the right tools. She wants to ensure the advice, articles and comparisons she works on are factual without being bogged down by jargon. When we approach difficult topics with empathy and understanding, we succeed.
Carvana is available to consumers looking to purchase a vehicle on Carvana’s website and have it delivered to their doorstep or using a “car vending machine” in their local area.
Bank of America has nationwide coverage, but a high minimum loan amount and restrictions on dealerships.
USAA is a Texas-based company that serves U.S. military members and veterans, pre-commissioned officers and spouses and children of either.
Fifth Third Bank offers auto loans for new and used vehicles and auto refinance loans to its members with checking and savings accounts.
Online platform Autopay takes the guesswork out of finding an auto loan deal by shopping your information around to multiple partner lenders.
Older cars, bigger loans: What the rise in vehicle age means for borrowers.
Financing for a new Tesla can be done in-house or with a trusted third-party lender.
These car dealership tricks help salespeople maximize their profits.