What Riverside Metro Auto Group does and how it operates
Riverside Metro Auto Group is a used-car dealership network operating in Southern California, primarily in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The group sells used vehicles through multiple locations and offers in-house financing to buyers who may not may have access to for traditional bank loans. Understanding how the dealership structures its sales, financing terms, and payment requirements helps you evaluate whether their approach fits your situation and what obligations you take on when you buy from them.
The group operates as a buy-here-pay-here dealership model in some locations, meaning they both sell the vehicle and finance the purchase directly. This differs from traditional dealerships that sell cars and refer buyers to separate lenders. When you finance through Riverside Metro, the dealership itself becomes your creditor, not a bank or credit union.
Like most buy-here-pay-here operations, Riverside Metro typically requires weekly or bi-weekly payments rather than monthly ones. They may also install GPS tracking and starter interrupt devices on financed vehicles — technology that allows the dealership to disable the car remotely if you miss a payment. These practices are legal in California but come with specific consumer protections you should understand before signing a contract.
Key Takeaways
- Riverside Metro finances vehicles directly to buyers, meaning the dealership holds the loan and collects payments, not a bank.
- Payment schedules are typically weekly or bi-weekly rather than monthly, and the dealership may require a down payment before you drive the vehicle off the lot.
- GPS tracking and starter interrupt devices are common in buy-here-pay-here financing; California law requires the dealership to disclose these in writing before you sign.
- If you fall behind on payments, the dealership can repossess the vehicle, and California law gives you limited time to reclaim it before they sell it.
- Your contract terms — interest rate, payment amount, down payment, and device fees — vary by location and your credit history, so comparing offers across their locations is worth doing.
How payment schedules and down payments work
Riverside Metro typically structures deals around weekly or bi-weekly payments rather than the monthly schedule you would see at a traditional dealership. This frequent payment cycle means you make 26 payments per year instead of 12, which accelerates how quickly you build equity in the vehicle and reduces the dealership's risk if you stop paying.
Down payments at buy-here-pay-here dealerships like Riverside Metro are usually higher than at traditional dealers — often 20 to 50 percent of the vehicle's sale price. The dealership uses this down payment to offset the risk of lending to buyers with poor credit or no credit history. Before you visit a location, ask what down payment they require for the price range you are looking at, because this amount directly affects how much you need to bring on the day you want to drive the vehicle home.
If you miss a payment or pay late, the dealership may charge a late fee, which varies by location and contract. Some locations also charge a fee to restart the vehicle if a starter interrupt device disables it after a missed payment. These fees add to your total cost, so read your contract carefully to understand what happens if you are a few days late.
GPS tracking and starter interrupt devices: what they are and what the law requires
Many Riverside Metro locations install a GPS tracking device and a starter interrupt device on financed vehicles. The GPS device lets the dealership know where the car is at any time. The starter interrupt device allows the dealership to prevent the engine from starting if you miss a payment or fall behind.
California law requires the dealership to disclose both devices in writing before you sign the purchase agreement. The disclosure must explain how the devices work, when they can be activated, and what happens if the starter interrupt is triggered. You have the right to refuse the devices, but the dealership can refuse to finance the vehicle if you do — they are not required to sell to you on their terms.
If a starter interrupt device disables your vehicle, you typically have a grace period (often 24 to 48 hours) to make the missed payment and have the device restarted. Some locations charge a restart fee on top of the overdue payment. If you are stranded because the device activates while you are driving, California law does not require the dealership to disable it when ready, but calling them and making the payment usually restarts the vehicle within hours.
Repossession and your rights if you fall behind
If you miss multiple payments or violate the terms of your contract, Riverside Metro can repossess the vehicle. California law allows repossession without a court order as long as the dealership does not breach the peace — meaning they cannot use force, threats, or trespassing to take the car. In practice, this usually means they send a tow truck during the day to a public location or your driveway.
Once the vehicle is repossessed, California law gives you a window to reclaim it before the dealership sells it. You have the right to pay off the full remaining balance plus repossession costs (towing, storage, and administrative fees) to get the car back. The dealership must notify you in writing of the repossession and tell you how much you owe to reclaim the vehicle and by when.
If you do not reclaim the vehicle within the allowed time, the dealership can sell it. If they sell it for less than you owe, they may pursue you for the difference (called a deficiency judgment), though this is less common with buy-here-pay-here dealers because they typically price vehicles to cover their risk. If they sell it for more than you owe, you are not may have access to to the surplus in most cases.
Interest rates and total cost of financing through Riverside Metro
Buy-here-pay-here dealerships like Riverside Metro charge higher interest rates than traditional lenders because they take on more risk. Interest rates vary by location and your credit history, but typically range from 18 to 29 percent annually, though rates can be higher or lower depending on the dealership's policies and California's usury limits.
The total cost of a vehicle financed through Riverside Metro includes the sale price, interest, down payment, any device fees (GPS or starter interrupt installation), late fees if you miss payments, and potential restart fees if the starter interrupt is triggered. Over the life of a two-year loan, these costs can add 40 to 60 percent to the original vehicle price. Before you commit, ask the dealership for a written breakdown of all costs, including the interest rate, total amount financed, and any fees.
Some Riverside Metro locations offer the option to pay off the loan early without penalty, which can save you money on interest. Ask about this when you are negotiating the deal, and request it in writing if it is offered.
How to evaluate whether Riverside Metro financing makes sense for you
Riverside Metro's financing works best if you have poor credit or no credit history and cannot get a loan from a bank or credit union. Traditional lenders often require a credit score of 620 or higher and proof of income; buy-here-pay-here dealerships typically have lower credit requirements and may work with you even if you have recent late payments or collections.
Before you finance through Riverside Metro, compare the total cost against other options. If you have a co-signer with good credit, a credit union loan or bank auto loan will almost always be cheaper. If you can save for a larger down payment, you can reduce the amount financed and the total interest you pay. If you can wait a few months to improve your credit score, you may may have access to for a traditional lender and save thousands of dollars.
If you do decide to finance through Riverside Metro, visit multiple locations in your area and ask for written quotes. Dealerships within the same group sometimes offer different terms, and comparing them gives you leverage to negotiate a better rate or lower down payment.
What happens when you pay off the loan
Once you have paid off the vehicle in full, the dealership removes the GPS tracking and starter interrupt devices (if they were installed). You receive the title to the vehicle, which transfers ownership to you. At that point, the dealership has no further claim on the car, and you can sell it, trade it, or keep it without their involvement.
Some buy-here-pay-here dealerships take longer to release the title after final payment, so ask when you sign the contract how quickly you will receive it after the last payment clears. California law requires the dealership to transfer the title within a reasonable time, but "reasonable" can be interpreted broadly. Getting this in writing protects you if there is a delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the dealership disable my car while I am driving if I miss a payment?
Legally, yes — the starter interrupt device can be activated while you are driving. However, most dealerships give you a grace period (usually 24 to 48 hours) to make the payment before activating it. If the device does set up while you are driving, the engine will not start again until you pay and the dealership remotely restarts it. This is a safety risk, so if you are considering financing through Riverside Metro, understand this risk upfront.
What is the difference between Riverside Metro and a traditional car dealership?
Traditional dealerships sell you a car and refer you to a bank or credit union for financing. Riverside Metro finances the vehicle itself, meaning they collect your payments directly. This allows them to work with buyers who have poor credit, but it also means they have more control over the vehicle through tracking and starter interrupt devices.
Can I refinance my Riverside Metro loan with a bank after a few months of on-time payments?
Yes. If you make all payments on time for several months, your credit score may improve enough to may have access to for a traditional auto loan at a lower interest rate. Refinancing can save you significant money on interest. Ask Riverside Metro if there is a penalty for paying off the loan early; if there is not, refinancing is usually worth exploring.
What happens if I cannot make a weekly payment?
Contact the dealership when ready and explain your situation. Some locations will work with you to skip a week or extend a payment if you have been reliable. If you do not contact them and miss the payment, late fees explore and the starter interrupt device may be activated. The dealership is not required to work with you, so communication early is your best option.
Do I own the car while I am paying it off?
No. The dealership holds the title until you pay off the loan in full. You have possession of the car and can drive it, but the dealership owns it legally and can repossess it if you breach the contract. Once the final payment clears, the title transfers to you.