Q. If I have bad credit, what type of interest rate should I expect to pay to buy a new car?

A. Our latest survey of major lenders found the average 36-month, new car loan costs 6.95%.

If you have bad credit, you'll pay more than average rates. How much more depends on how bad your credit actually is. According to Fair Isaac Corp., creator of the FICO credit score, car buyers with a credit score of:

• 500-589 should expect to pay 15.03% for a three-year loan.
• 590-619 should expect to pay 13.95%.
• 620-659 should expect to pay 10.62%.
• 660-689 should expect to pay 8.75%.

Of course, that's the national average. You'll pay a point more if you live in California and up to a point less if you live in a lower-cost state such as Arkansas, West Virginia, Pennsylvania or Connecticut.