Car loan

Six and seven-year car loans are increasingly popular, though they come at a higher price over the long term.

Cheap credit is boosting car sales. But more buyers are taking loans of up to seven years. Monthly payments are lower; the total cost is higher.

I have been paying down my debt using the snowball method. I'm making great headway and have cut my debt load in half in 3 years. I'm at a point where I need to choose between a home-equity loan with a variable rate (currently at 4.24 percent but eligible for tax deductions) and a car loan at 3.5 percent fixed. Which makes more sense to pay down? Scott, Chatham, MI

My current car is getting up there both in years and in miles, and I'd like to replace it before anything major goes horribly wrong. If I sell some of the stock I've accumulated in my Employee Stock Purchase Plan, I should be able to pay for the car in full in cash. The other option is to finance the other half of the purchase. Which route would you recommend? Thank you! Arcadiy, Atlanta, GA