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by Sammy Hinson - Posted 1 month ago
Many people believe that buying a car is impossible if you have bad credit or no credit history. That’s simply not true—especially when you work with a dealership that understands real-world financial challenges.
At Car City Central, we help customers from Conway, SC, Whiteville, and Calabash, NC secure reliable vehicles without perfect credit. Whether you're recovering from missed payments, bankruptcy, or just starting out, auto financing is within reach—and we’ll show you how.
Yes, and it happens every day.
Many dealerships—including ours—offer financing solutions tailored for customers with less-than-perfect credit. These are called subprime auto loans, and they’re structured with flexibility in mind.
Whether your credit score is low due to medical bills, divorce, student loans, or you’ve simply never had a loan before, approval is still possible. In fact, many lenders focus more on your current stability than your past mistakes.
Subprime lenders (and Buy Here Pay Here dealerships like ours) look at these key areas:
Proof of income (pay stubs, direct deposits, gig income)
Proof of residence (utility bill or lease)
Down payment amount
Vehicle trade-in equity (if applicable)
Employment history and consistency
TIP: The more organized and upfront you are with your documents, the smoother and faster your approval process will be.
While many traditional lenders require 10–20% down, subprime auto loans often offer much lower down payments.
At Car City Central, we offer down payment options as low as $499, making vehicle ownership far more accessible for those who are short on cash but ready to drive.
Plus, we consider trade-ins to reduce your upfront cost even further.
Financing a car with bad or no credit offers more than just transportation—it offers a financial second chance.
Rebuilding Credit: On-time payments get reported to credit bureaus
Access to Safe Vehicles: No more relying on unreliable rides
Stable Monthly Payments: Budgeting becomes easier
Same-Day Approval: Fast processing with minimal stress
Apply Online or In Person
Apply for Financing Here
Bring Basic Documents
You’ll need ID, proof of income, residence, and insurance.
Get Matched with a Vehicle
Choose from a wide range of used cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Review Terms and Sign
Understand your payment schedule and drive away with confidence.
Even if your credit isn’t great, here are some tips to improve your chances:
Bring a larger down payment if possible
Show consistent employment history
Add a qualified co-signer
Provide references or previous lender relationships
Choose a vehicle within your budget range
Not with a soft pre-approval. We check eligibility first without impacting your score.
In many cases, same-day approval is possible, especially if you apply in advance online.
You’re not alone. Many of our customers have bounced back from similar situations. We focus on where you are today, not just your past.
National chains often apply strict guidelines. But local dealerships like Car City Central understand the community—and the credit challenges our customers face.
We work with people from all over the Carolinas, including:
Myrtle Beach, Loris, and Longs, SC
Shallotte, Tabor City, and Supply, NC
Fayetteville, NC and beyond
You’re not just a number here—you’re a neighbor.
You’ll find a wide variety of options at our Conway, Whiteville, and Calabash locations. Every vehicle is:
Fully inspected (150-point quality check)
Eligible for warranty and service plans
Financed in-house or through trusted lenders
Search our current inventory by clicking here.
Buying a car with bad or no credit isn’t just possible—it’s a smart first step toward financial recovery. With on-time payments and careful budgeting, you can turn that auto loan into a powerful credit-building tool.
At Car City Central, we’ve helped thousands of drivers from Conway, Whiteville, and Calabash find reliable transportation—no matter their credit situation.
Ready to start the process?
Apply Online in Minutes
Or visit one of our locations today.
We believe everyone deserves a second chance—and that includes you.
Welcome to Car City Central—your go-to destination for $399 down used cars, fast credit approvals, and subprime auto financing in Conway, South Carolina, and Calabash and Whiteville, North Carolina. Whether you’re dealing with bad credit, no credit, or rebuilding with new credit, we make car ownership fast, simple, and affordable for buyers from Myrtle Beach, SC, Fayetteville, NC, and the surrounding areas.
Our extensive used car inventory includes quality-inspected vehicles from trusted names like Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Every vehicle we sell goes through a 150-point inspection, so you can drive with confidence.
Looking for a car but short on cash? With our low $499 down payment program, we help you get approved and on the road today. We work with 20+ lenders, including local banks and credit unions, and also offer in-house Buy Here Pay Here options—so your credit history doesn’t stand in your way.
Beyond sales, Car City Central provides ASE-certified auto repair and maintenance at all locations. From routine service to complex repairs, we keep your vehicle running like new. Need temporary transportation? Ask about our affordable vehicle rental options. And if you're looking to upgrade, bring in your current vehicle—we’ll give you a top-dollar trade-in offer.
Come experience the Car City Central difference at any of our three convenient locations:
Whiteville, NC: 3598 James B White Hwy S | ☎ (910) 642-3196
Conway, SC: 2761 East Hwy 501 | ☎ (843) 331-1151
Calabash, NC: 9146 Ocean Hwy W | ☎ (910) 579-1110
We're proud to serve customers from Loris, SC, Shallotte, NC, Little River, SC, Longs, SC, Tabor City, NC, and beyond. At Car City Central, we say yes when others say no—your path to a better vehicle and better credit starts here.