The present invention relates to a method for financing ownership of a vehicle by a customer. A preferred method of the present invention includes financing the purchase of a vehicle with a RIC or loan. The RIC or loan is preferably repaid with a set of first payments followed by a set of second payments. The first payments preferably last until a decision point and are about 10 percent to about 40 percent lower than the second payments. The preferred method embodiment includes contacting the customer prior to the decision point to promote trade-in of the vehicle and a new vehicle purchase.