You can finance a USAutozilla car through lenders who specialize in classic and imported vehicles, such as LightStream, Woodside Credit, Collector Car Lending and J.J. Best. Loans start around $10,000, terms run up to 144 months on qualifying cars, and the lender wires the balance to Salvage Motors LLC directly. Get pre-approved before you place a deposit.
How it fits the process
- Choose a car and get pre-approved for the landed price (minus your down payment).
- Place the deposit. Your deposit counts toward your down payment.
- Review the inspection file. Send it to your lender; most ask for it.
- Sign the bill of sale. The lender wires the balance to Salvage Motors LLC.
- We ship. On delivery, the title is issued in your name with the lender’s lien recorded, exactly as with a domestic car.
Lenders generally want the car to have a VIN and a verifiable value. Every one of our cars has both. Some lenders require the car to be in the US before funding; in that case you wire the balance and refinance on arrival, or we can hold the car at Autozilla until funding is confirmed. Ask us and we’ll help you match the timing to your lender.
The lenders
LightStream (a division of Truist Bank)
Unsecured loans, so no lien on the title and no restriction on the car’s age or origin. $5,000 to $100,000, terms to 84 months, funding in as little as one business day. Needs good to excellent credit (roughly 660+). Best for cars under $60,000 when you want speed and no lien.
Woodside Credit
Secured loans built for collector cars. Terms up to 144 months, which keeps payments low on expensive cars. Loans from $10,000 to $1,000,000+. Requires a vehicle valuation and typically a 10–20 % down payment. Best for cars over $50,000.
Collector Car Lending
Secured collector-car loans from $7,500, terms to 120 months, works with credit from the low 600s. Flexible on unusual and imported vehicles. Best when your credit is good but not perfect.
J.J. Best Banc & Co.
The oldest classic-car lender in the country (since 1985). Loans from $6,000 to $2,000,000, terms to 144 months, usually requires 650+ credit and a 10 % down payment. Best for higher-value cars and buyers who want a lender that knows classics inside out.
Credit unions you may already belong to (Navy Federal, USAA, PenFed) also finance classic cars and often beat these rates. Bring us any lender; we’ll work with them.
Rough numbers
A $45,000 landed Defender 110 with 20 % down ($9,000) and $36,000 financed over 120 months at 9.5 % APR runs about $466 a month. Over 84 months at 8.5 % APR, about $571 a month. These are examples, not offers; your rate depends on your credit, the lender and the car.
Disclosure
USAutozilla and Salvage Motors LLC are not lenders and don’t make credit decisions. Lender names, amounts and terms on this page are taken from the lenders’ public information and can change; check with the lender before you apply.
FAQ
Can I finance the deposit?
No. The deposit is paid by wire from your own funds. Financing covers the balance.
Can I finance inland transport and taxes?
Some lenders will include transport in the loan if it’s on the bill of sale. State sales tax is paid at registration and is not financed.
Does the car need to be in the US to get a loan?
Depends on the lender. LightStream doesn’t care (unsecured). Secured lenders may require the car to be landed and titled before funding. We’ll structure the timing with you.
What if my loan is denied after I’ve deposited?
Within the 7-day window, your deposit is refunded in full. After that, the deposit is non-refundable, so get pre-approved first.