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Driving Sense: Lease Alternative Financing

Monthly payments up to 40% less than conventional financing on new, pre-owned, or refinanced vehicles.

Like a lease, Driving Sense™ offers payments that are considerably lower than conventional financing. But unlike a lease, with Driving Sense you own the vehicle and have all of the flexibility and benefits of vehicle ownership, without the restrictions! Other benefits include: 

  • Available on new or pre-owned vehicle purchases, or refinance your existing loan (even your First Northern loan!)
  • Vehicles up to five years old qualify 
  • Flexible loan terms of up to 72 months 
  • Mileage options from 7,500 to 18,000/year
  • No down payment, no early payoff penalty, no security deposit and no acquisition fees 
  • Easily upgrade and/or change your vehicle every couple of years—or walk away at the end of your term! View end of term options and details.
  • Negotiate the purchase price of the vehicle with the dealer, like any other transaction
  • GAP coverage is included at no additional cost ($725 value)
  • A one-time program fee of $895 applies which can be paid upfront or financed into the loan2
  • Optional Extended Warranty and Mechanical Repair Coverage available

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How It Works

Don't pay for the whole car — pay only for what you use! 

Based on the term of the loan, a Guaranteed Future Value is established using industry-approved guidelines, similar to leasing. The difference between what you pay for the vehicle and the Guaranteed Future Value is used to determine the principal portion of your payment, which results in a lower monthly payment than conventional financing.

For example: a vehicle price of $40,000 with a Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) of $18,500. You pay for what you use which is $21,500

red sedan split into 2 sections

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Flexible end of loan term options

  1. Trade in vehicle and apply positive equity toward next vehicle
  2. Make final balloon payment (Guaranteed Future Value) and keep vehicle
  3. Walk away! Simply return the vehicle at loan maturity in lieu of making the final balloon payment with no end of loan term hassles. Vehicle pick-up is arranged, even if you have moved to a different state! No "back end surprises" — you won't be exposed to hidden expenses (like wear and tear clauses) during the loan (or at loan end) if you elect to return the vehicle. With Driving Sense, we clearly define vehicle return condition requirements. 

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Driving Sense™: New Vehicles (Purchase or Refinance)
Term APR*
Up to 29 months As low as 4.84%
30 - 41 months As low as 5.04%
42 - 53 months As low as 5.34%
54 - 65 months As low as 5.54%
66 - 72 months1 As low as 6.04%

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Driving Sense: Pre-Owned Vehicles (Purchase or Refinance)
(5 model years or newer)
Term APR*
Up to 62 months As low as 5.54%
63 - 66 months As low as 5.84%
67 - 72 months2

As low as 6.04%

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*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates are subject to Lender’s credit criteria, certain conditions, and restrictions. Your rate and corresponding APR may be higher than the published rate. Rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Your rate will be determined at the time of your application. Repayment example for a vehicle priced at $40,000 with a loan amount of $21,500: At 5.54% APR and term of 60 months with the $895 one-time program fee paid upfront: Payments 1-59 are $411.07 with a 60th/final payment due for the residual value amount of $18,500 (Guaranteed Future Value) and total interest paid of $3,164.32.

You have four options to satisfy the final payment, as noted above. If you elect to return the vehicle you will have the following obligations: 1. All original equipment that came with the vehicle when you purchased it must still be with the vehicle. 2. If you exceed your mileage allowance, the excess mileage fee is $.10 per mile, and 3. The condition of the vehicle when returned must comply with the Loan Addendum provided to you at the time of loan disbursement. If you return the vehicle in accordance with the Loan Addendum, you will be charged a low $195 disposition fee and the residual amount is considered to have been fully satisfied and the loan is closed. 

1 Retail value must be greater than $15,000. 2 Retail value must be greater than $15,000 and vehicle must be 5 model years old or newer.

2 A "High Priced Vehicle Surcharge” may apply based on MSRP,  and the surcharge amount varies depending on term