By Adam Jusko, ProudMoney.com, adam@proudmoney.com

A 650 credit score puts you in the “fair credit” or “average credit” or “non-prime/near-prime” zone, meaning you’re definitely not going to get the best interest rates on an auto loan. But you won’t get the worst interest rates, either.

Interest rates on car loans vary with the condition of the overall economy, so the answer to what interest rate you’ll get with your 650 credit score is not fixed in time. The rate you’d be able to get today could be very different a year from now (or from this time last year).

• The rate you can expect on an auto loan with a 650 score in late 2020/early 2021 is around 6.51% for new cars and 10.13% for used cars.*

Updated December 22, 2020 – If you’ve ever been pitched on opening a new credit card at a retail store while making a purchase, you know that some stores are more than happy to give you instant credit — you apply on the spot, get approved, and you can use the card immediately. Below we offer a list of such cards, including regular bank credit cards as well as retail credit cards. Apply online and get shopping today. (Note that instant approval is not guaranteed.)

• American Express Cards – Most American Express credit cards and charge cards now offer the possibility of an “Instant Card Number” upon approval. Your “eligibility is based on our ability to instantly validate your identity.” If you are eligible, you’ll get an Instant Card Number that you can use even before you have the physical card in hand. Note, however, that you may not be able to access your card’s complete credit line instantly.
• PayPal Cashback Mastercard – One of our very favorite credit cards on the market also lets you use your card today if you are approved instantly. Here’s the language they use to describe the process: “If you’re approved, in most cases, a temporary credit line will instantly be added to your PayPal account and you can start using it on PayPal right away – – even before you receive your card.” Beyond the instant approval, this card gives you a 2% rebate on everything you buy with it — which is the top of the market for cash-back cards with a flat rate on all purchases.