Q. I need a cosigner on an auto loan, but I don't want the person to be responsible for the whole term. If I make timely payments, is there a loan company that will allow the cosigner to be dropped after a few years?

A. No.

Lenders will decide whether to make the loan, how much to lend and what the interest rate will be based on the creditworthiness of your cosigner.

Banks or finance companies won't allow that person to walk away from the responsibility of repaying the loan until it is fully repaid.

It sounds like you're looking for a way to reduce the risk and persuade a reluctant family member or friend to help you buy this car or truck.

Here's another idea.

Cosigning loans is a risky business because the cosigner is legally responsible for making the payments if you default, yet has no ownership rights to the vehicle.

The cosigner's name is not on the title, and the person can't seize it or demand any insurance payments if it's wrecked -- even if the person winds up making some or all of the payments.

We usually tell people to be a joint applicant instead.

By applying for the loan as an equal owner of the vehicle, the person will still be responsible for the payments, but his or her name is on the title. That gives the person equal rights to the car's use and any insurance checks.

See if that makes it easier to line up the financial help you need.