Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. logo

Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL

3.8/5

Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) auto finance company offering in-house vehicle financing and used car sales with local credit decisions for bad credit borrowers in North Florida.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. Review

Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. is one of three finance companies operating under the Cars & Credit of Jacksonville and Select Car & Truck Store umbrella in North Florida. The company specializes in Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) auto financing, a model where the dealership itself provides financing directly to consumers rather than through traditional banks or lenders. Operating since at least the early 2000s, Sunrise Automotive Finance serves the Jacksonville and Orange Park areas with physical retail locations.

The company's primary service is providing in-house vehicle financing for used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans to consumers with bad credit, previous repossessions, or limited credit history. They market themselves as making local credit decisions that consider factors beyond credit scores and are willing to work with consumers who have negative credit events. Their financing model allows customers to drive home vehicles without requiring traditional bank approval. Payment plans appear to be structured on a weekly or bi-weekly basis typical of BHPH operations. The company reports monthly account status to Equifax credit bureau, potentially helping customers rebuild credit through on-time payments.

Sunrise Automotive Finance distinguishes itself through its explicit willingness to work with high-risk borrowers, local decision-making authority, and a focus on understanding individual circumstances rather than relying solely on credit scores. They operate two physical locations (Jacksonville and Orange Park) allowing customers to make in-person payments. The company emphasizes customer service and inventory quality, positioning themselves as offering better vehicles than competitors in the used car market. They maintain multiple contact methods including phone, email, and online forms for customer service inquiries.

However, potential borrowers should understand that BHPH financing typically comes with significantly higher interest rates than traditional auto loans and involves GPS tracking or payment collection systems embedded in vehicles. The company's website provides limited transparency on actual interest rates, down payments, or payment terms. While monthly credit reporting is positive for credit building, the business model inherently serves subprime borrowers with limited alternatives, and customers may face vehicle repossession if payments are missed.

Services & Features

Bad credit auto loans with local credit decisions
Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) auto financing for used vehicles
Credit reporting to Equifax (monthly account status)
Customer support via phone, email, and online contact forms
In-house vehicle financing without traditional bank approval
Online loan pre-approval application
Recall checking services for vehicles
Test drive booking services
Used car, truck, SUV, and van sales
Vehicle insurance update coordination
Vehicle payment processing and collection
Vehicle trade-in/sell your auto services

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Local credit decisions that consider factors beyond credit scores and individual circumstances
  • Willing to finance customers with bad credit history, previous repossessions, and limited credit
  • Monthly credit reporting to Equifax potentially helps rebuild credit through on-time payments
  • Two physical locations (Jacksonville and Orange Park) for in-person payments and customer service
  • No traditional bank approval required to purchase vehicles
  • Serves North Florida region extensively with inventory in multiple cities
  • Multi-channel customer support: phone, email, online forms, and physical locations

Cons

  • Website does not disclose interest rates, APR, down payments, or specific payment terms, limiting consumer transparency
  • BHPH model typically involves GPS tracking or starter interrupt devices on vehicles
  • High risk of vehicle repossession if payments are missed or late
  • Limited information about loan terms, contract length, or total cost of financing
  • No mention of payment flexibility, hardship programs, or loan modification options

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.0
Customer Service
3.7
Transparency
3.5
Ease of Use
3.7

Compare the Best Personal Loan Options

See which lenders actually approve borrowers with bad credit. We compared APRs, fees, minimum scores, and funding speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. legitimate?

Yes. Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. is a registered company, headquartered in 1200 Cassat Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
1200 Cassat Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205
BBB Accredited
No
Starting Price
Contact provider
Setup Fee
None
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc.

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc.

Sunrise Automotive Finance is best for North Florida consumers with damaged credit or repossession history who need immediate vehicle access and are willing to accept the higher costs and restrictions inherent to BHPH financing. The main caveat is that this is a subprime lending model with undisclosed rates, GPS tracking/payment monitoring devices, and significant repossession risk—customers should fully understand these terms before committing and ensure they can reliably make weekly or bi-weekly payments.

Best For

  • Consumers with bad credit who need immediate vehicle access and cannot qualify for traditional auto loans
  • Borrowers with recent repossessions seeking a second chance at vehicle ownership
  • North Florida residents needing local, in-person financing and payment options
  • Consumers willing to accept BHPH terms in exchange for credit-building opportunities
Updated 2026-04-29

More Emergency Cash

Financial Wellness Guides

Financial Terms Explained (10 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Interest & Rates

APR — Annual Percentage Rate

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.

Why it matters

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.

Compound 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.

Why it matters

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.

MAPR — Military Annual Percentage Rate

A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.

Why it matters

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.

Usury Rate — Usury Rate (Interest Rate Cap)

The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.

Why it matters

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.

How Loans Work

Collateral — Loan Collateral

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.

Why it matters

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.

Fees & Costs

Late Fee — Late Payment Fee

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.

Why it matters

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.

NSF Fee — Non-Sufficient Funds Fee

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.'

Why it matters

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.

Legal Terms

Usury — Usury (Illegal Interest)

The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.

Why it matters

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.

Credit Cards

Cash Advance — Credit Card Cash Advance

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.

Why it matters

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.

Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Sunrise Automotive Finance Company, Inc. and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.