Friends, every day at Alfa Car, we receive around a hundred calls and conduct 4-5 full consultations. And almost every time, we hear the same questions.


Let’s go over the most common ones...


1️⃣ If you don’t have a Social Security number, you have two options.


The first option is to get a car loan. But honestly, the conditions aren’t the best: the interest rate is around 16% per year, and the down payment is about 30% of the car’s price. It’s expensive, and you’ll end up overpaying a lot, but if you need to own a car, this is the only option.


The second option—if you understand how things work in the U.S.—is to simply lease a car and drive it until you get your Social Security number.


Once you have your Social Security number, you have more options. You can still take out a car loan, but the conditions remain the same: a high interest rate and a large down payment. Another option is to start building your credit history by opening one or two credit cards at a bank where you already have an account and waiting about 3-4 months until your credit score appears in the system.


Or you can come to us for a credit boost. In just 1.5 months, we can help you build a 4-5 year credit history. Your credit score will be around 740-770, and after just 1.5 months, we can easily help you get a new car lease or loan with great terms.


2️⃣ Another common question — which is better, a loan or a lease?


It all depends on your needs, and I’ll explain it as simply as possible...


If your annual mileage is within 10,000-12,000 miles, go for a lease without hesitation. It’s more cost-effective, easier, and you won’t have to worry about reselling the car in the future.


However, if you need a car for work—for example, for Uber, deliveries, or other high-mileage driving—a lease won’t work for you. In that case, it’s better to take out a loan right away to avoid mileage restrictions and extra charges.


3️⃣ Another popular myth — "I want to take out a loan because I will be paying for my own car."


This is an illusion. If you miss just two payments, the bank will quickly remind you who really owns the car.


Yes, on paper, both with a loan and a lease, the car is registered in your name—your title, your registration. But the real owner is the bank because they hold the lien. If you stop making payments, the bank takes the car back. So, in reality, until the loan is fully paid off, the car is not truly yours.


4️⃣ Why do I always recommend leasing (if you stay within the allowed mileage)?


Because it’s a more flexible way to own a car. At the end of the lease term, you have a choice—if you like the car, you already know how it performs, what type of oil was used, how often it was serviced, and whether it had any issues. If everything is good, you buy it for the remaining balance.


All lease payments (excluding taxes and interest) go toward paying off the car’s residual value. For example, if a new car costs $50,000, you might buy it at the end of the lease for around $25,000. And you don’t have to pay in cash—you can simply convert the lease into a loan and continue making payments to the same bank.


But if you didn’t like the car, if it had frequent issues or was involved in multiple accidents (even 10 accidents), you can simply return it to any authorized dealer of that brand and get a new one.


5️⃣ Another myth — "Leasing is just renting, but with a loan, I’m paying for my own car, so I’m not throwing money away."


We have done the math many times, and here’s what happens: with a lease, your monthly payment is always about $100-$150 lower. You drive the car for three years, return it, get a new one, and keep driving.


With a loan, the car does become yours, but only after six years. Now, here’s the interesting part—after six years, once the loan is paid off, you sell the car. Its resale value is much lower than what you originally paid for it. If you divide that resale value by the 72 months you made payments, the difference between lease and loan payments almost disappears.


So, in the end, with a loan, you paid more and drove the same car for six years. With a lease, you paid less and drove two different new cars over the same six years. The total amount spent is nearly the same.


And this doesn’t even include the warranty factor. You already know that car manufacturers design cars to last just as long as the warranty. The moment it expires, the car starts breaking down, and you’re forced to buy a new one. That’s just marketing.


So if the mileage limit works for you, get a lease. If you drive a lot, need the car for work or travel, go for a loan.


6️⃣ And one more important point – it’s very important to use credit cards correctly.


The difference in the cost of leasing or financing a car with a credit score of 660 vs. 720 can be as much as $150-$200 per month. So keep an eye on your credit score—it has a real impact on your payments.


7️⃣ Another common myth, especially among those who recently moved to the U.S., is that brokers are just resellers.


Guys, we are not resellers. We are the ones who help you buy a new car easier, faster, cheaper, and without unnecessary stress.


You sign all documents directly with the dealer and the bank—you don’t sign anything with us. All manufacturer warranties, bonuses, and roadside assistance remain with you. 


Our job is to guide you through the process, especially if you don’t speak English, and to help even after the purchase.


We don’t disappear after the deal. We stay in touch, help with registration, payments, and renewal of plates. Even if you just need to know where to change your tires, align your wheels, or book a service appointment, you can always reach out to us.


There’s another important point—I don’t agree to every deal. If I see that the terms are bad for you, I would rather say no than let you sign an unfavorable deal. I’m not here to sell cars at any cost—I don’t have a warehouse full of cars that I need to sell quickly. My goal is to find the best option for you.


A broker and a dealer are not the same.


A dealer only sells their brand. If you go to a Honda dealership, they will only offer you a Honda. At a company like Alfa-Car, you can compare Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, and more—all in one place.


Dealers try to sell at the highest price and push extra services. Brokers get a fixed fee from the dealer, so we have no reason to overcharge you. We also know which add-ons are actually useful, like Gap Insurance or Warranty, and we won’t try to sell you things you don’t need.


We also know exactly how to submit paperwork to the bank for the best approval chances. A dealer sends your application to 10-20 banks, which hurts your credit score. We only apply to one bank—the one that gives you the best rate.


We even know how to convince the bank to approve your loan, even if your credit is new, weak, or you’ve never financed a car before. We can get you the lowest interest rates—sometimes as low as 0%. 99% of our clients get approved for the car they want.


And if you’re new to the U.S. and don’t speak English well, we support you even after the purchase. You’ll always have someone to help with payments, accounts, service appointments, insurance claims, and more.


If you buy a car through Alfa-Car, you’ll never be left alone with your questions. We’re always here to help.


8️⃣ Unlike dealerships, where the salesperson who sold you the car may quit in a week and stop answering your calls, we stay in touch. A dealership salesperson has already sold the car and is no longer interested in you.


We, on the other hand, want you to come back to us in 2-3 years for your next car. And we want you to recommend us to your friends and family because you’re happy with our service.


When you buy a car with our help, you can be confident that you're getting the best deal. 


We find the lowest price, secure the best interest rate possible for your situation, and support you even after the purchase. You can be sure that you won’t be left alone with your questions because you can always reach out to us for assistance.


Our goal is not to pressure you into buying. We give you all the information, explain everything clearly, and let you make an informed decision on your own.


That’s all for now! Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Our manager will contact you soon for a consultation. :)