If you live in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, there's a good chance that you're a fan of one of the most successful football teams in the country, the New England Patriots. You may also be currently facing moderate to severe credit issues.

When most people think of New England, they typically don't associate this geographically and architecturally beautiful region with bad credit. Instead, Ivy League schools come to mind, as well as Martha's Vineyard and, of course, the Pats.

However, recent data gathered by Drivers Lane reveals that 9,597 New Englanders have filed for bankruptcy over the past year, and 27,329 potential Patriots fans have applied with us for a bad credit car loan. This seems to indicate that compromised credit is a very real issue for more than a few New England residents. And while many cities in the northeast are very walkable, there are plenty of areas that require the use of a car.

This means that a good number of people in New England with credit issues are facing the challenge of buying a vehicle. Luckily, Drivers Lane can make the bad credit car buying process faster and easier, but which car should you consider if you have damaged credit and you're on a budget?

If you're looking for a place to start with your automotive research, we have used our data to construct a list of the most popular vehicle choices among bad credit buyers in New England.new england, bad credit, auto loan

  1. The 2012 Honda Civic
  2. The 2012 Honda Accord
  3. The 2009 Ford F150
  4. The 2013 Ford Focus
  5. The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  6. The 2014 Honda Civic
  7. The 2007 Toyota Yaris
  8. The 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  9. The 2014 Ford Fusion
  10. The 2012 Kia Optima

While these vehicles may be popular among buyers with credit issues, a few are better options than others. When you're selecting a car to purchase with your bad credit auto loan, you would be well advised to strongly consider price, performance and reliability.

Recommended Cars for New Englanders with Bad Credit

At Drivers Lane, we understand that you want to not worry about how you're going to make it to work, school or Foxborough for games. You'll also want several years of hassle-free transportation. This is why we've taken the list of popular vehicles and narrowed it down to options that are highly rated and can be purchased for under $15,000.

  • The 2012 Honda Civic: When it was introduced, this car was ranked #1 among "Affordable Small Cars." With outstanding safety ratings and impressive fuel economy (29 mpg/city, 39 mpg/highway), it’s no wonder that the 2012 Civic is a popular choice. If you choose to purchase this Civic, you can also expect to enjoy the benefits of responsive steering, a spacious interior and comfortable seating.
  • The 2012 Honda Accord: This offering from Honda was voted #2 in the “Affordable Midsize Car” class and received nearly perfect safety ratings. It gets good gas mileage (23 mpg/city, 34 mpg/highway), and is available with a V6 engine if you want a little more power behind your driving experience. And tall drivers and passengers should take note of the fact that the Accord has been praised for providing plenty of room in both the front and back of the vehicle.
  • The 2013 Ford Focus: Most of all, critics have been impressed with this car's athletic handling and tastefully appointed cabin. The 2013 Focus has also earned high safety ratings, and is considered to have good fuel economy (27 mpg/city, 38 mpg/highway). While some reviewers have claimed that the Focus is cumbersome to turn in tight spaces, most drivers have been very satisfied with its strong brakes, accurate steering capabilities and solid body control.
  • The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta: Because of the recent emissions scandal involving diesel-powered Volkswagens, now may be a good time to get a great deal on a used, gas-powered VW. Many consumers have vowed to never again buy a Volkswagen, but if you're willing to take the plunge, you might score a Jetta (or another model) at a considerable discount. The 2012 Jetta has been rated pretty highly when it comes to safety, and gets okay gas mileage for its class (24 mpg/city, 31 mpg/highway). This vehicle has also been praised for having controlled handling and a nicely designed interior.
  • The 2012 Kia Optima: If safety and comfort are primary concerns of yours as a driver, the 2012 Optima may be the perfect car for you, especially if you want a midsize vehicle that gets excellent gas mileage. Your family will get a roomy ride, and you'll save money at the pump by getting 22 mpg/city and 34 mpg/highway. Does your regular commute involve twisty, challenging roads? No worries. Critics have noted that the Optima offers nimble handling, nicely weighted steering and powerful brakes.

Regardless of what kind of vehicle you're in the market for, rest assured that Drivers Lane will help you to get approved for the best possible financing. Why should supporters of the best football team in the league be expected to accept anything less?

It's GAME ON for Car Buying

New Englanders are used to winning, so don't get rejected for financing again. Regardless of what the current condition of your credit happens to be, Drivers Lane can work with your unique situation. We'll connect you with a dealer in your area that can get you the car that you need, and you may be able to get financed with little or no money down.

Just fill out our fast and secure online application to get started today.