Do your used cars have warranty?

Yes everyone of our cars come with excellent peace of mind warranty so you can finance your car with confedence.

I have no credit at all. Can you help me get a car?

We can help you get in a car even with no credit. You may not not be able to get you in that expensive car you were probably eying, but we can get you in a decent car you will like. Lenders tend to be a bit careful with buyers who have no credit at all. Is there a way to get you approved? Yes there is.

I have bad credit. Can you get me in a car with my bad credit?

We have helped many drivers with bad credit get in a car. There are different things we do to by-pass your bad credit sitauion. We look at your current income, time on the job, your down payment and the car you want. We can help bad credit drivers get in a car.

I am on SSI. Can you help me?

Yes we can help. We count SSI as income. Our minimum income required for approval is $2k per month. As long as your social security income is at that amount or over, we can get you in a car. If your SSI is low, we recommend you use a co-signer.

Do you have fuel-efficient cars? I need cars that don't consume too much gas.

Yes we have lots of fuel-effecient used car brands. We have Nissan, Chevy, Ford and more. Please see our inventory here https://columbusautogroupwest.com/inventory/

Do you have low mileage used cars?

Yes we do. About half of our inventory are low mileage cars. Please check our inventory here. https://columbusautogroupwest.com/inventory/

How does you financing process work?

To improve your chances of getting approved, you just need to prove that you make $2k+ a month, show job time of 3+ months, and no repo within the past 90 days. Driver's license and insurance is helpful but we can work without it. We will submit your application to the lender and the lender will let us know what your down payments and monthly payments will be. After everything is agreed to, we finalize your insurance. You go for a test drive and the car is yours.

How much are your used cars? Do you have used cars under $10,000?

We have very affordable used cars. About half of our inventory is under $10,000 or right around $10,000. We also do trade-ins. You can use your old car as down payment for a new one.

What are your down payments and monthly payments like?

We have no set down payment. We try to work with what you have. We may be able to do zero down in some cases. The type of car you choose and your income may also factor in your down payment. The banks we finance through will tell us how much they need down. Most customers do down payments between $500 and $1,000. Some do $1,500 or more. In some cases $0 down or $49 down is possible. Monthly payments ranges from $350 to $499 a month. We try to get you a payment plan that fits your budget.

Are you a buy here pay here or do you finance through banks?

We are not a buy here pay here [ bhph ]. We do somethings that BHPH does but we finance through banks/lenders. We are affiliated with about 4 lenders. This will help increase your chances of getting approved.

My income is not enough. Can I use a co buyer?

Yes we accept co- buyers or co-signers. If your income is too low or you have a repo on your record that makes you ineligible for approval, you can used a co-signer.

What's the minimum income required to get approved?

As of now, we ask that you make at least $2,000 a month in income to qualify for financing. If your income is too low you can use a co-signer or you can put down a larger down payment to help convince the lender.

How long do I have to be at my job to get approved?

If you have been at your job for at least 3 months or more, you have a better chance to get approved. If you have been at your job for less than that, there may be ways we can still get you approved.

I don't have a driver's licence. Can I still apply?

Yes you can. Some of the lenders we work with don't need a driver's license to get you approved. We can get you started with the financing process then you can get the driver's license later. Go ahead and apply.

What should I bring with me when coming to your dealership?

Please bring with you some paystubs [If you can pull them up on your phone at the dealership, that's fine], piece of mail or utility bill with your name, ID, and any other stuff you think may help approve you faster.

Can I apply online before I come in?

Yes sure you can. That helps to speed up the approval process. Here is the link to apply. https://www.columbusautogroupwest.com/apply-online/

Yes we accept trade-in. Let us know the year,make and model of your old car including mileage so we can give you the right offer. You can use your old car as part down payment for another car.

What is the best Used Car Dealer in Columbus?

Columbus Auto Group West is a premier Used Car Dealer based in Columbus, OH. We have the best used car deals and offers for those who live on the Westside Columbus, Far Westside Columbus or Southwest Columbus OH.

What areas does Columbus Auto Group West serve?

West Side Columbus OH, Far West area of Columbus, German Village, Lockbourne, Grove City, Galloway OH, West Jeff, and parts of Franklin County Ohio.

Does Columbus Auto Group West accept credit cards?

Columbus Auto Group West accepts the following forms of payment: American Express, Discover, PayPal, Financing Available, Personal Checks, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Insurance, Google Wallet

Looking For a Better Ride but Stuck with Negative Equity? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know - Columbus Auto Group West | (614) 272-2035

Name: Columbus Auto Group West
Address: 2035 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH, 43223, US
Telephone: (614) 272-2035

Columbus Auto Group West Front Lot

Feeling "upside down" on a car loan is a common headache for many drivers. You want a newer, more reliable vehicle, but you owe more on your current car than it’s actually worth. This situation is called negative equity. It can feel like you’re stuck in a contract you can’t escape, but we have some good news for you.

When you are searching for used cars Columbus OH dealerships offer, you might feel held back by your current loan, but negative equity doesn't have to be a dead end. At Columbus Auto Group West, we help people in this exact situation every single day.

Whether your car is starting to need expensive repairs or you just need something bigger for your growing family, here are 10 things you should know about trading in when you owe more than your car's value.

1. Understand What "Upside Down" Really Means

Negative equity isn't a scary legal term: it’s just a math problem. If you owe the bank $15,000 on your car, but a dealership or private buyer is only willing to give you $12,000 for it, you have $3,000 in negative equity.

Most people end up here because of high interest rates, long loan terms, or simply because cars lose value (depreciate) faster than some loans are paid off. Knowing exactly how much you are "underwater" is the first step to fixing the problem.

2. Get Your Real Trade-In Value First

Before you start dreaming about a new SUV or truck, you need to know your numbers. Don't just guess what your car is worth. You can use tools like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to get a ballpark figure.

However, the best way to know for sure is to bring it to us. We provide fair, transparent appraisals that help you understand the real-market value of your vehicle today. Knowing your value versus your loan payoff amount gives you the "gap" number you need to work with.

Customer happy with trade-in paperwork

3. You Can Roll the Balance Into a New Loan

This is the most common way to handle negative equity. If you have $2,000 in negative equity and you buy a car from us for $12,000, we can often work with our lenders to create a new loan for $14,000.

This essentially "rolls" your old debt into the new car payment. It allows you to drive away in a better vehicle today without having to pay thousands of dollars in cash upfront. We specialize in finding the best used cars Columbus OH has to offer for every budget, and our finance team is expert at making these "rollover" deals work for our customers.

4. Cash Can Bridge the Gap

If you have some savings put aside, using cash is the cleanest way to deal with negative equity. If you owe $3,000 more than the car is worth, paying that $3,000 at the time of trade-in means your new loan starts at a "zero" balance.

This is great because it keeps your new monthly payments lower and prevents you from paying interest on "old" debt. Even if you can't pay the whole difference, every bit of cash you put down helps reduce the total amount you have to finance.

5. Your Credit Score Still Matters

While having negative equity is a challenge, your credit score plays a huge role in how easily you can trade in. Lenders look at the "Loan-to-Value" (LTV) ratio. If you are rolling over debt, the LTV goes up. A higher credit score makes lenders more comfortable with a higher LTV.

The good news? At Columbus Auto Group West, we work with drivers in all kinds of credit situations. Whether you have good credit, bad credit, or you're a first-time buyer, we have relationships with multiple lenders to help get you approved.

Dealership exterior showing easy financing signage

6. Consider "Trading Down" to Save Money

If your current monthly payment is too high and you have negative equity, you might consider trading in for a more affordable vehicle. For example, if you are driving an expensive SUV but don't really need the space, trading for a reliable sedan can lower your total loan amount.

Even with the negative equity added in, a cheaper car can result in a lower monthly payment than what you are paying now. This gives your budget some breathing room while you work on paying down the debt.

7. Look for Vehicles with "Room" in the Value

Some cars have more "room" in their financing than others. When you are looking at our inventory, our team can point you toward vehicles that lenders are more likely to approve for a rollover loan.

Typically, these are high-quality, low-mileage vehicles that hold their value well. Many people looking for used cars Columbus OH don't realize they can still trade in if they pick the right vehicle that fits the lender's requirements.

8. Don't Forget About GAP Insurance

If you roll negative equity into a new loan, you will be "upside down" on the new car immediately. This is where GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance becomes very important.

If your new car is totaled in an accident or stolen, standard insurance only pays the market value of the car. GAP insurance covers the "gap" between that value and what you actually owe the bank. It is a vital safety net when you are dealing with negative equity.

9. The Warranty Advantage

One of the biggest risks of staying in a car you owe too much on is the cost of repairs. If your engine fails and you already owe $5,000 more than the car is worth, you are in a very tough spot.

When you trade in at Columbus Auto Group West, all our cars come with a warranty. This gives you peace of mind. Instead of worrying about a surprise $2,000 repair bill on a car you already hate, you can focus on one predictable monthly payment for a reliable vehicle.

Happy customer with new Jeep

10. You Can Get Approved the Same Day

Many people procrastinate trading in because they think the process will take weeks of back-and-forth with banks. That isn't the case here. You can apply online right now and get an answer quickly.

We pride ourselves on our "Easy Financing" process. We take the stress out of the numbers so you can focus on finding a ride you actually enjoy driving.

Why Choose Columbus Auto Group West?

We aren't just any used car lot. We specialize in helping the Columbus community find high-quality, pre-owned vehicles regardless of their financial history. We offer:

Trade-in Acceptance: Use your old car as a down payment, even with negative equity.
Low Down Payments: Some deals start as low as $49 down.
Quality Selection: From Ford F-150s to Chevrolet sedans and Jeep SUVs.
Expert Advice: We explain every part of the contract so there are no surprises.

Stop by today to see our full inventory of used cars Columbus OH and get a fair price for your trade. We are here to help you move forward, not stay stuck in the past.

Customer with new SUV keys

Columbus Auto Group West
2035 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43223
Call us (614) 272-2035

Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Closed Sundays
We're on the Westside Columbus OH

Columbus Auto Group West | (614) 272-2035 | 2035 Sullivant Ave Columbus OH 43223

Financing Used Cars Starts Here. Ask About Our $49 Down Deals

Looking For a Better Ride but Stuck with Negative Equity? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know