This is one of the most popular ways to spend your tax refund. If you're like many Americans with shaky or bad credit, tax season is a great time to lay down a substantial down payment. This will also open up financing options that would otherwise not be available. A down payment will show the dealership that you're a serious car buyer and can also help you get a loan with lower monthly payments, which makes buying a car even more financially feasible.

Whether it's a new set of tires to improve fuel economy or a much needed tune-up, a well-maintained car can last well past 100,000 miles. Routine maintenance and the occasional upgrade might not be as thrilling as driving off the lot in a new car, but it's a great way to stretch a dollar and the life of your car. And if you've got a car that you'd like to customize, why not consider some of the following Hyundai accessories?

• Custom floor mats
• Splash guards
• Running boards
• A trailer hitch
• Custom wheels
• Fog lights

Which of these accessories would make your car stand out in a crowd?

Used cars are a great option when you're looking to find a deal on a reliable car but don't want to spend too much money. Used cars used to have a bad reputation, but nowadays that's no longer the case, especially at a respectable dealership like Crain Hyundai. Don't let the miles on the odometer fool you. Those miles prove that with proper care and maintenance a used car can also be a reliable car. High-mileage cars probably have mostly highway miles, and those miles put less wear and tear on a car. It's unlikely that a used car will still be under warranty, so it's important to make sure you buy your car or SUV from a trusted dealer, like Crain Hyundai of Fayetteville. That way you can rest assured that you're getting a quality used car that will last for years to come.

The general rule of thumb on car leases is that if you put down a larger down payment, your monthly payments will be a lot lower. With a larger down payment, your lease payments are more manageable, so if you do decide to extend your lease, you can negotiate to keep the same low payments.

Putting a nice, big payment on an existing car loan can help you get one step closer to becoming debt free. You can either make an extra payment, which will help you pay off the loan quicker, or pay down the balance, which will reduce your interest over time. It's also a good idea to call your lender to see what they think is the best thing to do in your particular circumstances.

Did you know you can restructure an existing car loan? If your car loan has a high interest rate or you've improved your credit score since getting the loan, you could use your tax refund as leverage to structure a better loan with lower monthly payments. You can even use a portion of your tax refund to reduce the principal and get a better interest rate on the balance.

We hope you've found this tax refund guide helpful. Feel free to call our Hyundai Finance Department at (888) 202-3601 with any questions. Crain Hyundai has been serving Fayetteville and neighboring communities for years, so people know we're the most trusted car dealer around. We want to see you get the most for your tax refund, so stop by our dealership to browse our new and used cars this tax season.