---
title: "60 vs 72 Month Car Loan: Which Should You Choose?"
description: "Comparing 60 vs 72 month car loans? A 60-month loan costs $1,000 less in interest but has higher payments. Learn which term fits your budget and driving habits."
canonical: "https://sidekick.vin/answers/should-i-finance-60-or-72-months-for-a-used-car"
type: "qa"
vertical: "financing"
lastModified: "2026-02-26T19:29:35.990Z"
keywords: ["60 month car loan vs 72 month", "should I get a 60 or 72 month loan", "car loan term length", "auto loan comparison", "how long should car loan be"]
---
# Should I finance 60 or 72 months for a used car?

> **Quick Answer:** A 60-month loan costs less overall but has higher monthly payments. A 72-month loan lowers your monthly payment by about $50-75 but adds $600-1,000 in total interest. Choose based on your budget and how long you plan to keep the car.

**Category:** financing
**Question Type:** comparison

**Related Questions:**
- Is a 60-month or 72-month car loan better?
- What's the difference between a 60 and 72 month auto loan?
- Should I get a shorter or longer car loan term?
- 60 vs 72 month car loan: which should I choose?

---
## Should I Finance 60 or 72 Months for a Used Car?

The choice between a 60-month and 72-month loan depends on your monthly budget and how long you keep cars. Here's what you need to know:

**The payment difference is real.** A 72-month loan reduces your monthly payment by roughly $50-75 compared to 60 months. On a $25,000 loan at 5% interest, you'd pay about $470 per month for 60 months versus $396 per month for 72 months. That lower payment makes a 72-month loan appealing when cash flow is tight.

**But you pay significantly more in interest.** Over a $25,000 loan at 5%, a 60-month term costs around $1,800 in total interest, while 72 months costs about $2,800. That's an extra $1,000 just for spreading payments over one more year. The longer your loan, the more time interest has to accumulate.

### When to Choose 60 Months

Pick a 60-month loan if you:
- Plan to keep the car 5-7 years or longer
- Want to build equity faster and avoid being underwater on the loan
- Can comfortably handle the higher monthly payment
- Want to trade or sell the car within the loan period
- Prefer lower total interest costs

A 60-month loan helps you stay ahead of depreciation. Used cars lose value quickly in early years, so owning your car faster means you won't owe more than it's worth.

### When to Choose 72 Months

Pick a 72-month loan if you:
- Need the lower monthly payment to fit your budget
- Plan to keep the car 7-10 years
- Have other financial priorities like an emergency fund or student loans
- Want maximum flexibility in your monthly cash flow

A 72-month loan makes sense only if you're comfortable with the extra interest cost and confident you'll keep the car long enough to justify it.

### The Real Numbers

| Loan Term | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 months | $470 | $1,800 | $26,800 |
| 72 months | $396 | $2,800 | $27,800 |

*Based on $25,000 loan at 5% APR*

### Key Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Can you comfortably afford the 60-month payment without skipping other savings?
2. How long do you typically keep a car?
3. Do you have stable income, or might a lower payment protect you during uncertain times?
4. Could you start with a 72-month loan and pay extra when cash allows?

Most experts recommend the shortest loan term you can manage. If the 60-month payment is only moderately higher and you can swing it, the interest savings add up fast. But if stretching to 72 months is the difference between affording a reliable used car and not buying at all, that lower payment has real value.

Consider your complete financial picture: car payment, insurance, maintenance, and savings goals. The best loan term balances all of these, not just the monthly number.