LightStream Logo
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Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: April 23rd, 2021

LightStream, is a division of SunTrust Bank, offering secured and unsecured auto loans with fixed rates starting at 3.99 percent APR.

Loans can be applied for online via phone, tablet or computer and are available for a variety of purchase types:

  • New car purchases
  • Used and classic car purchases from a dealership or a private party
  • Auto lease buyouts
  • Auto loan refinancing
  • Motorcycles 

Loan amounts: $5,000–$100,000
Loan terms: 24–84 months
Max APR: 3.99%–17.49% APR

Keep reading for pros and cons of borrowing with this lender.

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The Good

  • Rate Beat Program
  • Same-Day Funding
  • $100 Satisfaction Guarantee
  • No Vehicle Requirements
  • Plant a Tree
  • AutoPay Discount

Rate Beat Program

LightStream offers a Rate Beat Program. If you find and are approved for a lower rate with another lender, this company will beat the competing rate by 0.10 percent.

Same-Day Funding

With LightStream, same-day funding is available. This is not always an option when it comes to auto financing.

$100 Satisfaction Guarantee

Lightstream offers an interesting guarantee to customers. If you're not completely satisfied with your loan experience, contact the company. It will email you a questionnaire and send you $100 for filling it out. This guarantee expires 30 days after you get your loan.

No Vehicle Requirements

While many car loan companies have vehicle requirements outlining which makes and models it will finance and which it won't, this company is more lax. LightStream is more stringent with its borrowers than they are about vehicle requirements for lending.

Trees

If you like trees and the environment, you should know that LightStream works with a foundation called American Forests. Since 2013, the lender has planted a tree for every loan funded.

Autopay Discount

Like many auto lenders, if you sign up for autopay, you can get a rate discount of 0.5 percent APR.

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The Bad

  • Credit Score

Credit Score

Although LightStream has excellent options for car loans, unfortunately, the company requires customers to have good or excellent credit. If you want to qualify for a loan with LightStream, you need to have a solid history of good credit.

 

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The Bottom Line

Although LightStream requires a high credit score from its customers, the company values reflect an emphasis on service and community. LightStream offers extended term lengths, high loan amounts, and fast approval. If you have high credit, we would recommend LightStream as an excellent source for your auto loan.

*The APR rates listed in this review were current as of May 2019. Please visit LightStream's website for the most up-to-date rates.

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Starski Cene Vienna, VA

Went to the dealership to purchase a car, knew what we qualified for ahead of time but after going back and forth negotiating, we still didn't get the best rate. Went online to light stream, filled out the app and completed the whole process in less than 24 hours without having to haggle for the best rate. - Best interest rate online - Finished the entire process online

6 years ago

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Christian Laursen

Awesome! Got my loan on the same day within hours.. on a saturday!

6 years ago