LoanStar Title Loans provides cash loans against vehicle equity at Texas locations. Founded 1990, loans up to $10,000 with simple 3-item qualification.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Founded in 1990 in Jonesboro, GA, LoanStar Title Loans has operated for over three decades as a title lending company with a regional focus on Texas. The company positions itself as one of America's established title lenders, helping borrowers access liquidity through the equity in their owned vehicles. LoanStar maintains multiple brick-and-mortar locations across the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area, including branches on Camp Bowie, McCArт Ave, E Lancaster Ave, Denton Highway in Haltom City, Blvd 26 in Richland Hills, and SW Wilshire Blvd in Burleson.
LoanStar offers auto title loans — collateral-secured loans backed by the borrower's vehicle — with amounts up to $10,000. Qualification requires only three things: a vehicle, a government-issued photo ID, and a clear (lien-free) vehicle title. Both single-installment and multiple-installment loan structures are available. Fee schedules for $600, $1,200, and $2,000 loan amounts are publicly disclosed via links on the site. Accepted repayment methods include cash, check, debit card, and Western Union, and an online payment portal is available.
LoanStar is regulated by the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC), which provides state-level oversight and disclosure requirements. The company publishes separate fee schedule disclosures for both single- and multiple-installment products, which is a transparency step above some competitors. Branch hours are consistent across locations (Monday–Friday 10AM–6PM, Saturday 9AM–2PM), and the toll-free line 877-511-CASH provides a centralized contact option.
Title loans carry significant financial risk regardless of lender. Borrowers pledge their vehicle as collateral, meaning default results in repossession. APRs on title loans are typically very high — often exceeding 200% annualized — and the specific rate is not prominently displayed on location pages; borrowers must follow the fee schedule links to calculate costs. The website copy referencing '25 years' appears outdated given the 1990 founding date. LoanStar is a legitimate, long-established operator in a high-cost lending category. This product should only be used when lower-cost alternatives — such as personal loans, credit union PALs, or family loans — have been exhausted.
See which lenders actually approve borrowers with bad credit. We compared APRs, fees, minimum scores, and funding speed.
Yes. Loanstar Title Loans is a registered company headquartered in 3639 Gus Thomasson Rd, Mesquite, TX 75150. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
LoanStar Title Loans is best suited for Texas vehicle owners who need fast cash and have exhausted lower-cost options — the simple qualification and up to $10,000 limit are genuine advantages. The main caveat is that title loans are high-cost secured debt: APRs are rarely below 100% annualized, and default means losing your car. Always calculate the total repayment cost using the linked fee schedules before borrowing.
ACE Cash Express offers payday loans, installment loans, title loans, and check cashing at ~700–900 U.S. locations and online, serving unbanked and underbanked consumers.
Best for: Unbanked or underbanked consumers who lack traditional bank accounts and need immediate cash access, Individuals facing a short-term cash shortfall between paychecks with no access to traditional credit products
Check 'n Go offers payday loans and installment loans with same-day or next-business-day funding at their Detroit location and nationwide network.
Best for: Employed individuals with bad or no credit who need emergency cash in 1-2 days and have a steady paycheck, Unbanked consumers who can access a checking account and prefer in-person service with staff support
TitleMax offers same-day title loans and flexible lines of credit secured by vehicle titles, accepting most credit types with quick approval at their Memphis location.
Best for: Vehicle owners with significant equity needing same-day emergency cash, Borrowers with poor or limited credit history who cannot qualify for traditional loans
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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