EXHIBIT 10.30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     between

                  FIRST INVESTORS AUTO RECEIVABLES CORPORATION
                                   as Issuer,

                                       and

                         ENTERPRISE FUNDING CORPORATION,
                                   as Company,

                          Dated as of October 22, 1996

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                     PAGE
                                   ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

      SECTION 1.1.      Definitions..................................  1

                                   ARTICLE II
                               FUNDINGS; THE NOTE

      SECTION 2.1.      Funding; The Note............................  7
      SECTION 2.2.      The Surety Bond; Demands Under the Sure-
                        ty Bond...................................... 19
      SECTION 2.3.      Fees......................................... 19

                                   ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
                                  OF THE ISSUER

      SECTION 3.1.      Representations, Warranties and Cove-
                        nants of the Issuer.......................... 20

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

      SECTION 4.1.      Indemnity.................................... 23
      SECTION 4.2.      Indemnity for Taxes, Reserves and Ex-
                        penses....................................... 25
      SECTION 4.3.      Other Costs, Expenses and Related Mat-
                        ters......................................... 27

                                    ARTICLE V
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      SECTION 5.1.      Notices, etc................................. 28
      SECTION 5.2.      Successors and Assigns....................... 29
      SECTION 5.3.      Severability Clause.......................... 30
      SECTION 5.4.      Amendments; Governing Law.................... 30
      SECTION 5.5.      No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Com-
                        pany......................................... 30
      SECTION 5.6.      No Proceedings............................... 31
      SECTION 5.7.      Setoff....................................... 31
      SECTION 5.8.      No Recourse.................................. 31

                                        i
<PAGE>
                                                                     PAGE

      SECTION 5.9.      Further Assurances........................... 31
      SECTION 5.10.     No Recourse against Merrill.................. 31
      SECTION 5.11.     Counterparts................................. 32
      SECTION 5.12.     Headings..................................... 32

                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A      Form of Note

EXHIBIT B      Form of Funding Request

EXHIBIT C      Form of Surety Bond

                                       ii

                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

            NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of October 22,
1996, between ENTERPRISE FUNDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as
purchaser (together with its successors and assigns, the "COMPANY"), for itself
and as agent for the Liquidity Provider, and FIRST INVESTORS AUTO RECEIVABLES
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as transferor (together with its successors
and assigns, the "ISSUER").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

            WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Security
Agreement, the Issuer desires to obtain funds from time to time from the
Company, and to evidence the obligation to repay such amounts through the
issuance of the Note;

            WHEREAS, pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Issuer will pledge
to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties its interest in
the Receivables and related property including the Issuer's security interest in
the Financed Vehicles;

            NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

            SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS. All capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meanings herein specified, and shall include in the singular number the
plural and in the plural number the singular:

            "ADDITION DATE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.
<PAGE>
            "ADDITIONAL RECEIVABLES" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" shall mean NationsBank, N.A., as
administrative agent for the Company.

            "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Note Purchase Agreement, as it may from
time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with
the terms hereof.

            "AMORTIZATION EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3
of the Security Agreement

            "AVAILABLE COLLECTIONS" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "AVAILABLE FUNDS" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "BORROWING BASE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "CARRYING COSTS" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "CLOSING DATE" shall mean October 22, 1996.

            "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time (including any successor statute), and the regulations promulgated
and the rulings issued thereunder.

            "COLLATERAL" shall have the meaning specified
in Section 2.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "COLLATERAL AGENT" shall mean Texas Commerce Bank National
Association, as Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement, or any successor
thereto.

            "COMMERCIAL PAPER" shall mean promissory notes of the Company issued
by the Company in the commercial paper market.

            "COMPANY" shall mean Enterprise Funding Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, together with its successors and assigns.

                                   2
<PAGE>
            "CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER" shall mean the Person or Persons who will
provide credit support to the Company in connection with the issuance by the
Company of its Commercial Paper.

            "EFC COLLATERAL AGENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

            "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "FACILITY LIMIT" shall mean $105,000,000.

            "FINANCED VEHICLE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1
of the Security Agreement.

            "FUNDING" shall mean any advance by the Company to the Issuer
hereunder, and shall consist of the Initial Funding pursuant to Section 2.1(a)
hereof and each Subsequent Funding pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof.

            "FUNDING REQUEST" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a)
hereof.

            "GECC" shall mean General Electric Capital Corporation.

            "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "INDEMNIFIED AMOUNTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.1 hereof.

            "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.1 hereof.

            "INITIAL FUNDING" shall mean the Funding which is made pursuant to
Section 2.1(a) hereof.

            "INSURANCE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Insurance Agreement dated as of
October 1, 1996 between the Issuer, the Seller, the Collateral Agent, the
Reserve Account Agent and the Surety Bond Provider.

                                   3
<PAGE>
            "INTEREST RATE CAP" and "INTEREST RATE CAPS" shall have the meanings
specified in Section 3.2(n) of the Security Agreement.

            "ISSUER" shall mean First Investors Auto Receivables Corporation, a
Delaware corporation, and its successors and permitted assigns.

            "LAW" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "LIQUIDITY AGREEMENT" shall mean the agreement, between the Company
and the Liquidity Provider evidencing the obligation of the Liquidity Provider
to provide liquidity support to the Company in connection with the issuance of
Commercial Paper.

            "LIQUIDITY FACILITY" shall mean the asset purchase facility provided
to the Company pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement.

            "LIQUIDITY PROVIDER" shall mean the Person or Persons who will
provide liquidity support to the Company in connection with the issuance by the
Company of its Commercial Paper, which , as of the Closing Date, is NationsBank,
N.A.

            "MOODY'S" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

            "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1
of the Security Agreement.

            "NET INVESTMENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "NOTE" shall mean the note issued to the Company pursuant to Section
2.1(f)(i) of this Agreement.

            "NOTEHOLDER'S PERCENTAGE" shall equal 90%.

            "OBLIGOR" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 the
Security Agreement.

            "OFFICIAL BODY" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

                                   4
<PAGE>
            "ORIGINAL INVESTMENT" shall mean $59,322,154.20.

            "OTHER TRANSFEROR" means any Person other than the Issuer that has
entered into a transfer and administration agreement, receivables purchase
agreement or other similar agreement with the Company and which is not a party
to any Transaction Document.

            "PERSON" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "PLAN" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "PLAN EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "POTENTIAL AMORTIZATION EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "POTENTIAL TERMINATION EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "POTENTIAL WIND-DOWN EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "PROGRAM FEE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
October 22, 1996, between the Issuer, as purchaser thereunder, and the Seller,
as seller thereunder, as the same may be amended, modified and supplemented from
time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

            "PURCHASED INTEREST" shall mean any interest in the Note acquired by
the Liquidity Provider.

            "RECEIVABLE SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

                                   5
<PAGE>
            "RELATED COMMERCIAL PAPER" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "REMITTANCE DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "REQUIRED RESERVE ACCOUNT BALANCE" shall have the meaning specified
in Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "REQUIREMENTS OF LAW" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "RESERVE ACCOUNT" shall mean the account established pursuant to
Section 5A.1(b) of the Security Agreement.

            "RESERVE ACCOUNT AGENT" shall mean NationsBank, N.A., solely in its
capacity as Reserve Account Agent under the Security Agreement and the Insurance
Agreement.

            "RESERVE ADVANCE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of
the Security Agreement.

            "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.

            "SECTION 4.2 COSTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2
hereof.

            "SECURITY AGREEMENT" shall mean the Security Agreement dated as of
October 22, 1996 among the Seller, the Issuer, the Collateral Agent, the
Company, the Reserve Account Agent and the Surety Bond Provider, as amended,
modified and supplemented from time to time.

            "SELLER" means First Investors Financial Ser- vices, Inc.

            "SERVICER" shall mean GECC as servicer under the Servicing Agreement
or any successor Servicer acceptable to the Surety Bond Provider.

            "SUBSEQUENT FUNDING" shall mean a Funding which is made pursuant to
Section 2.1(b) hereof.

                                   6
<PAGE>
            "SURETY BOND" shall mean that certain surety bond, substantially in
the form annexed hereto as Exhibit C.

            "SURETY BOND PROVIDER" shall mean MBIA Insur- ance Corporation.

            "TARGETED MONTHLY PRINCIPAL PAYMENT" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.1 of the Security Agreement.

            "TERMINATION DATE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1
of the Security Agreement.

            "TERMINATION EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1
of the Security Agreement.

            "TRANSACTION COSTS" shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.3
hereof.

            "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" shall have the meaning as specified in the
Insurance Agreement.

            "UCC" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Security Agreement.

            "UNUSED PROGRAM FEE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.1
of the Security Agreement.

            "WIND-DOWN EVENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2 of
the Security Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               FUNDINGS; THE NOTE

            SECTION 2.1. FUNDING; THE NOTE. (a) INITIAL FUNDING. Upon the terms
and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company shall make advances
(any such advance, a "FUNDING", and the first such advance, the "INITIAL
FUNDING") to the Issuer from time to time on or after the Closing Date and prior
to the Termination Date. In connection with the Initial Funding, the Issuer
shall, by notice to the Company in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Funding
Request") request such Funding at least ten Business Days prior to the proposed
date of

                                   7
<PAGE>
such Initial Funding. Such notice shall specify the pro- posed Funding Amount
(which shall be at least $1,000,000) and the proposed date of the Initial
Funding.

            (b) SUBSEQUENT FUNDING. On any Business Day occurring after the
Initial Funding under Section 2.1(a), upon ten Business Days notice to the
Company of a Funding Request and prior to the Termination Date, the Issuer may
request that the Company make additional Fundings (which shall be at least
$1,000,000 and shall occur no more than once per consecutive three month
period)(each such additional Funding, a "SUBSEQUENT FUNDING").

            (c) CONDITIONS TO FUNDING. The Company shall not, and shall have no
obligation to, advance any funds to the Issuer in connection with any Funding
unless on the date of such Funding (i) the sum of the Net Investment after
giving effect to such Funding plus the interest component of Related Commercial
Paper would not exceed the Facility Limit; (ii) the Net Investment, after giving
effect to such Funding, would not be greater than 90% of the Borrowing Base;
(iii) the Surety Bond shall be in full force and effect and the Surety Bond
Provider shall not have failed to make any required payment thereunder; (iv) an
amount equal to the Required Reserve Account Balance shall be on deposit in the
Reserve Account; (v) each representation and warranty of the Issuer herein, in
the Security Agreement or in any other Transaction Document shall be true and
correct; (vi) a Wind-Down Event, an Amortization Event, a Potential Termination
Event, a Potential Wind-Down Event or a Potential Amortization Event shall not
have occurred or be continuing and the Termination Date shall not have occurred;
(vii) the Company is able to obtain funds for the making of such Funding in the
commercial paper market or pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement and (viii) in
connection with the Initial Funding, the conditions precedent set forth in
paragraph (g) of this Section shall be satisfied.

            (d) FUNDING REQUEST IRREVOCABLE. The notice of the proposed Initial
Funding and any Funding Request shall be irrevocable and binding on the Issuer
and the Issuer shall indemnify the Company against any loss or expense incurred
by the Company, either directly or indirectly (including through the Liquidity
Provider Agreement) as a result of any failure by the Issuer to complete the
requested Funding including, without limita-

                                   8
<PAGE>
tion, any loss (including loss of anticipated profits) or expense incurred by
the Company, either directly or indirectly (including pursuant to the Liquidity
Provider Agreement), by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of funds
acquired by the Company (or the Liquidity Provider) (including, without
limitation, funds obtained by issuing commercial paper or promissory notes or
obtaining deposits or loans from third parties) for the Company to complete the
requested Funding.

            (e) DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. No later than 4:30 p.m. (New York City
time) on the date on which a Funding is to be made, the Company will make
available to the Issuer in immediately available funds, the amount of the
Funding to be made on such day by remitting the amount thereof to an account of
the Issuer as designated in the related notice requesting such Funding.

            (f)   THE NOTE.

                        (i) The Issuer's obligation to pay the principal of and
      interest on all amounts advanced by the Company pursuant to any Funding
      shall be evidenced by a single note of the Issuer (the "NOTE") which shall
      (1) be dated the Closing Date; (2) be in the stated principal amount equal
      to the Facility Limit (as reflected from time to time on the grid attached
      thereto); (3) bear interest as provided therein; (4) be payable to the
      order of the Company and mature on the Remittance Date occurring in the
      third calendar month following the calendar month in which the latest
      maturing Receivable (determined as of the Termination Date) is scheduled
      to mature (without regard to extensions subsequently granted on any
      Receivable by the Issuer or any servicing agent); (5) be entitled to the
      benefits of the Surety Bond and the Security Agreement; and (6) be
      substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, with blanks
      appropriately completed in conformity herewith. The Company shall, and is
      hereby authorized to, make a notation on the schedule attached to the Note
      of the date and the amount of each Funding and the date and amount of the
      payment of principal thereon, and prior to any transfer of the Note, the
      Company

                                9
<PAGE>
      shall endorse the outstanding principal amount of the Note on the schedule
      attached thereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that failure to make such notation
      shall not adversely affect the Company's rights with respect to the Note.

                        (ii) Although the Note shall be dated the Closing Date,
      interest in respect thereof shall be payable only for the periods during
      which amounts are outstanding thereunder and on such amounts as are
      outstanding thereunder. Although the stated principal amount of the Note
      shall be equal to the Facility Limit, the Note shall be enforceable with
      respect to the Issuer's obligation to pay the principal thereof only to
      the extent of the unpaid principal amount of the Fundings outstanding
      thereunder at the time such enforcement shall be sought.

                  (g) The Company's obligations under this Agreement are subject
to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Issuer
contained herein, as of the date hereof, and as of the Closing Date (as if made
on such date), to the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under this
Agreement and to the satisfaction of the following further conditions on the
Closing Date:

                        (i) The Company shall have received letters of Vinson &
      Elkins LLP, special counsel to the Issuer, that it may rely on such
      counsel's opinions to Moody's and S&P as to "true sale" and substantive
      nonconsolidation issues under the Bankruptcy code (each such opinion
      referred to herein as a "RATING AGENCY OPINION").

                        (ii) The Company shall have received an opinion, dated
      the Closing Date from Buck, Keenan & Owens, L.L.P., special counsel
      for the Issuer, with respect to:

                              (1) Each of the Note, this Agreement and the
      Security Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
      the Issuer and is a valid and binding agreement,

                              10
<PAGE>
      enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its respective terms,
      except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (1)
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
      now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (2)
      general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is
      considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (3) the qualification
      that certain remedial provisions of the Security Agreement may be
      unenforceable in whole or in part, but the inclusion of such provisions
      does not affect the validity of the Security Agreement, and the Security
      Agreement, together with applicable law, contains adequate remedial
      provisions for the practical realization of the benefits of the security
      created thereby;

                              (2) The pledge of the Receivables and the other
      property pledged by the Issuer to the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the
      Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Agreement, the compliance by the
      Issuer with all of the provisions of the Security Agreement, this
      Agreement and the Note and the consummation of the transactions therein or
      herein contemplated will not (A) conflict with or result in a breach of
      any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any
      indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
      instrument known to such counsel to which the Issuer is a party or by
      which the Issuer is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
      Issuer is subject, (B) result in any violation of the provisions of any
      order known to such counsel of any court or governmental agency or body
      having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties or (C) result
      in any violation of the provisions of the charter or the by-laws of the
      Issuer or any statute or any rule or regulation of any governmental agency
      or body having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties;

                                       11
<PAGE>
                              (3) No authorization, approval, consent or order
      of, or filing with, any court or governmental authority or agency is
      required by the Issuer in connection with the consummation of the
      transactions contemplated in the Security Agreement and this Agreement,
      except such as have been obtained;

                              (4) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and
      information, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
      threatened (A) asserting the invalidity of the Security Agreement or this
      Agreement, (B) seeking to prevent the consummation by the Issuer of any of
      the transactions contemplated by the Security Agreement or this Agreement
      or (C) which might materially and adversely affect the performance by the
      Issuer of its obligations under the Security Agreement or this Agreement;


                              (5) The provisions of the Security Agreement are
      effective to create a valid security interest in the Collateral in favor
      of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and such security
      interest is perfected and prior to all other creditors of and purchasers
      from the Issuer; and

                              (6) The Issuer is not required to be registered
      as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
      amended.

                        (iii) The Company shall have received an opinion, dated
      the Closing Date, from Buck, Keenan & Owens, L.L.P., counsel to the
      Seller, to the effect that:

                              (1) The Seller is a corporation organized,
      existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas, with
      corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
      business as currently conducted; and the Seller is qualified to do
      business as a foreign corporation in good standing in each jurisdiction in
      which it

                              12
<PAGE>
      owns or leases substantial properties or in which the conduct of its
      business requires such qualification;

                              (2) The Seller has or had at all relevant times
      full power, authority and legal right to exercise, deliver and perform its
      obligations under the Purchase Agreement; and has or had at all relevant
      times full power, authority and legal right to acquire, own and transfer
      the Receivables and the other property transferred by it to the Issuer
      pursuant to the Purchase Agreement;

                              (3) The Purchase Agree- ment has been duly
      authorized, executed and delivered by the Seller and is a valid and
      binding agreement, enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its
      terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (1)
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
      now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (2)
      general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is
      considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

                              (4) The transfer of the Receivables and the other
      property transferred by the Seller to the Issuer pursuant to the Purchase
      Agreement, the compliance by the Seller with all of the provisions of the
      Purchase Agreement, the Security Agreement and this Agreement and the
      consummation of the transactions therein or herein contemplated will not
      (A) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions
      of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
      loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel to
      which the Seller is a party or by which the Seller is bound or to which
      any of the property or assets of the Seller is subject, (B) result in any
      violation of the provisions of any order known to such counsel of any
      court or governmental agency or body hav-

                              13
<PAGE>
      ing jurisdiction over the Seller or any of its properties or (C) result in
      any violation of the provisions of the charter or the by-laws of the
      Seller or any statute or any rule or regulation of any governmental agency
      or body having jurisdiction over the Seller or any of its properties;

                              (5) No authorization, approval, consent or order
      of, or filing with, any court or governmental authority or agency is
      required by the Seller in connection with the consummation of the
      transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement and this Agreement,
      except such as have been obtained; and

                              (6)  To the best of such
      counsel's knowledge and information, there are no legal or governmental
      proceedings pending or threatened (A) asserting the invalidity of the
      Purchase Agreement, the Security Agreement or this Agreement, (B) seeking
      to prevent the consummation by the Seller of any of the transactions
      contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Security Agreement or this
      Agreement or (C) which might materially and adversely affect the
      performance by the Seller of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement,
      the Security Agreement or this Agreement.

                        (iv) The Company shall have received an opinion, dated
      the Closing Date, of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., counsel for the Collateral
      Agent, to the effect that:

                              (1) The Collateral Agent is a national banking
      association with trust powers, and is duly and validly existing under the
      laws of the United States of America with corporate power and authority to
      execute, deliver and perform its obligations required under the Security
      Agreement.

                              (2) The Security Agreement has been duly
      authorized, executed and

                              14
<PAGE>
      delivered by the Collateral Agent and constitutes the valid and binding
      obligation of the Collateral Agent, enforceable against the Collateral
      Agent in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof
      may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent
      transfer, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, receivership,
      moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
      creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity
      (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
      in equity or at law).

                              (3) The execution and delivery of the Security
      Agreement by the Collateral Agent and the performance by the Collateral
      Agent of its obligations under the Security Agreement do not conflict with
      or result in a violation of (A) any law or regulation of the United States
      of America governing the banking or trust powers of the Collateral Agent,
      or (B) the by-laws of the Collateral Agent.

                              (4) No approval, consent or giving of notice to,
      or registration or filing with, any governmental authority of the United
      States of America having jurisdiction over the banking or trust powers of
      the Collateral Agent is required in connection with the execution and
      delivery by the Collateral Agent of the Security Agreement or the
      performance by the Collateral Agent of its obligations under the Security
      Agreement.

                        (v) The Company shall have received a certificate of the
      Issuer, dated the Closing Date, stating that (i) its representations and
      warranties made herein and in the Security Agreement are true and correct
      as of the Closing Date, and (ii) the Issuer has complied with all
      agreements and satisfied all conditions to be satisfied on its part
      pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.

                              15
<PAGE>
                        (vi) The Company shall have received written evidence
      that the facility shall have been rated at least "Baa3" and "BBB-",
      respectively, by Moody's and S&P, without giving effect to the Surety Bond
      and on the Closing Date such rating shall be in full force and effect.

                        (vii) All conditions precedent to the authentication and
      delivery of the Note under this Agreement shall have been satisfied.

                        (viii) Each party shall have performed and complied with
      all agreements and conditions contained herein and in the Security
      Agreement and all other documents delivered in connection herewith or
      therewith which are required to be performed or complied with by such
      party before or at the Closing.

                        (ix) This Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the
      Security Agreement shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered
      by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect on
      the Closing Date and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Company.

                        (x) The Company shall have received the following, in
      each case in form and substance satisfactory to it:

                              (1) copy of the resolutions of the Board of
      Directors of the Issuer, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
      Secretary as of the Closing Date, duly authorizing the execution, delivery
      and performance by the Issuer of the documents executed by or on behalf of
      the Issuer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
      Agreement and the Security Agreement; and attesting to the names and true
      signatures of the person or persons executing and delivering each such
      document;

                              16
<PAGE>
                              (2) a copy of the resolutions of the Board of
      Directors of the Seller, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
      Secretary of the Seller as of the Closing Date, duly authorizing the
      execution, delivery and performance by the Seller of the Purchase
      Agreement and any other documents executed by or on behalf of the Seller
      in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; and an incumbency
      certificate of the Seller as to the person or persons executing and
      delivering each such document;

                              (3) a certificate of the Collateral Agent
      regarding its authority and the incumbency of its officers; and

                              (4) such other documents and evidence with respect
      to the Issuer, the Seller, the Servicer and the Collateral Agent as the
      Company may reasonably request in order to establish the corporate
      existence and good standing of each thereof, the proper taking of all
      appropriate corporate proceedings in connection with the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Servicing
      Agreement and the Purchase Agreement and the compliance with the
      conditions set forth herein and therein.

                        (xi) No fact or condition shall exist under applicable
      law or applicable regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof by any
      regulatory authority which in the Company's reasonable opinion would make
      it unlawful to issue the Note or for the Issuer or any of the other
      parties thereto to perform their respective obligations under this
      Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Purchase Agreement.

                        (xii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller and
      the Issuer shall have filed any financing statements or amendments
      thereto, wherever necessary or advisable, in order to perfect the transfer
      and assignment of the Receivables to the Issuer and the grant

                              17
<PAGE>
      of the security interest therein to the Collateral Agent and shall have
      delivered filestamped copies of such financing statements or other
      evidence of the filing thereof to the Company.

                        (xiii) All taxes and fees due in connection with the
      filing of the financing statements referred to in clause (xii) of this
      Section 2.1(g) shall have been paid in full or duly provided for.

                        (xiv) The Surety Bond Provider shall have issued the
      Surety Bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, dated as
      of the Closing Date.

                        (xv) No action or proceeding shall have been instituted
      nor shall any governmental action be threatened before any court or
      governmental agency nor shall any order, judgment or decree have been
      issued or proposed to be issued by any court or governmental agency to set
      aside, restrain, enjoin or prevent the performance of this Agreement or
      any of the other agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby.

                        (xvi) The Company shall have been furnished with such
      other documents and opinions (including executed copies, addressed to it
      or otherwise expressly allowing it to rely thereon of such documents or
      opinions delivered to any other person in connection with the Closing (as
      hereinafter defined)) as it may reasonably require, and all documents and
      opinions as well as actions and proceedings taken by the Issuer in
      connection with the issuance of the Note shall be satisfactory in form and
      substance to the Company and its counsel.

                        (xvii) An opinion of Kutak Rock, counsel to the Surety
      Bond Provider, pertaining to the Surety Bond Provider and the
      enforceability of the Surety Bond and in form and substance satisfactory
      to the Company, shall have been delivered to the Company.

                              18
<PAGE>
                        (xviii) The Company shall have received, in substance
      reasonably satisfactory to the Company, the Fee Letter dated as of the
      Closing Date.

                        (xix) The Reserve Account shall have been established at
      NationsBank, N.A., and the required deposit by the Issuer into the Reserve
      Account shall have been made.

            SECTION 2.2 THE SURETY BOND; DEMANDS UNDER THE SURETY BOND. The
Issuer has obtained the Surety Bond for the benefit of the Company. The Issuer
acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is entitled, in accordance with the
terms thereof, to demand funds thereunder for the benefit of the Company. The
Administrative Agent shall have no liability to the Issuer, and the Issuer shall
indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent harmless, in connection with any
demands made by the Administrative Agent under the Surety Bond except to the
extent that the Administrative Agent shall have acted with gross negligence in
making any such demand. Such indemnified amounts shall be paid to the extent and
in the priority set forth in the Security Agreement.

            SECTION 2.3. FEES. The Issuer shall pay to the Company, on each
Remittance Date, the Program Fee and the Unused Program Fee. Such fees are
non-refund- able.

                                 19
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE III

                    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
                                  OF THE ISSUER

            SECTION 3.1. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE
ISSUER. The Issuer represents and warrants to and covenants with the Company as
of the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided herein, as of each date of
any Subsequent Funding that:

                  (a) ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. The Issuer is a
corporation duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and has full corporate power,
authority and legal right to own its properties and conduct its business as such
properties are presently owned and such business is presently conducted, and to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to
execute, deliver and perform, the Note.

                  (b) DUE QUALIFICATION. The Issuer is duly qualified to do
business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in any state required
in order to conduct its business, and has obtained all necessary licenses and
approvals, in each jurisdiction in which failure to so qualify or to obtain such
licenses and approvals would have a material adverse effect on the conduct of
the Issuer's business.

                  (c) DUE AUTHORIZATION. The Issuer has the power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Note. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Note by
the Issuer and the consummation of the transactions provided for in this
Agreement and the Security Agreement have been duly authorized by the Issuer by
all necessary corporate action on the part of the Issuer.

                  (d) NO CONFLICT. The execution and de- livery of this
Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Note, the performance of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Security Agreement and the

                                 20
<PAGE>
fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with, result in any breach of
any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or
lapse of time or both) a default under, any Requirement of Law applicable to the
Issuer or any indenture, contract, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other
material instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or any of its
properties are bound.

                  (e) NO PROCEEDINGS. There are no proceedings or investigations
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Issuer, threatened, before any court,
regulatory body, administrative agency, arbitrator or other tribunal or
governmental instrumentality (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement, the
Security Agreement or the Note, (ii) seeking to prevent the issuance of the Note
or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the Security Agreement or the Note, (iii) seeking any determination or ruling
that, individually or in the aggregate, in the reasonable judgment of the
Issuer, would materially and adversely affect the performance by the Issuer of
its obligations under this Agreement, the Security Agreement or the Note, or
(iv) seeking any determination or ruling that would materially and adversely
affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Security Agreement
or the Note.

                  (f) ALL CONSENTS REQUIRED. All approvals, authorizations,
consents, orders or other actions of any Person or of any governmental body or
official required to be obtained on or prior to the date hereof in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Security Agreement and
the Note, the performance by the Issuer of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the Security Agreement and the fulfillment by the Issuer of the terms
hereof, have been obtained.

                  (g) SOLVENCY. The Issuer is not insolvent and will not be
rendered insolvent immediately following the consummation on the Closing Date of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Security Agreement,
including the pledge by the Issuer to the Collateral Agent of the Collateral
specified in Section 2.1 of the Security Agreement.

                                 21
<PAGE>
                  (h) NO TERMINATION EVENT. After giving effect to the payment
by the Company of the Original Investment and the issuance of the Note and the
acquisition of any Additional Investment pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Security
Agreement, no Potential Termination Event, Potential Wind-Down Event, Potential
Amortization Event, Termination Event, Wind-Down Event or Amortization Event
exists.

                  (i) INFORMATION FURNISHED TO THE COMPANY. All information
furnished by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Company will be true and complete
in all material respects.

                  (j) TAXES. The Issuer has filed all tax returns required to be
filed and has paid or made adequate provision for the payment of all its taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges.

                  (k) COMPLIANCE. The Issuer has complied in all material
respects with all Requirements of Law in respect of the conduct of its business
and ownership of its property.

                  (l) INVESTMENT COMPANY. The Issuer is not an "investment
company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
or is exempt from the provisions of such act.

                  (m) ERISA. The Issuer is in compliance with ERISA in all
material respects. No Plan Event has occurred or is expected to occur that might
result, directly or indirectly, in any lien being imposed on the property of the
Issuer.

                  (n) HEDGING. The Issuer will not enter into Interest Rate Caps
or other agreements or mechanisms for hedging except as set forth in Section
3.2(n) of the Security Agreement.

            The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 3.1
shall survive the pledge and grant of a lien in the respective Receivables to
the Collateral Agent as agent for the Company and the Surety Bond Provider. Upon
discovery by the Issuer or the Company of a breach of any of the foregoing
representations and

                                 22
<PAGE>
warranties, the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice
to the others.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

            SECTION 4.1. INDEMNITY. Without limiting any other rights which the
Company may have hereunder or under applicable law, the Issuer agrees to
indemnify the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Reserve Account Agent, the
Collateral Agent, the Liquidity Provider and the Credit Support Provider and any
permitted assigns and their respective agents, officers, directors and employees
(collectively, "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") from and against any and all damages,
losses, claims, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees (which such attorneys may be employees of the Company, the Administrative
Agent, the Reserve Account Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Liquidity Provider
and the Credit Support Provider) and disbursements (all of the foregoing being
collectively referred to as "INDEMNIFIED AMOUNTS") awarded against or incurred
by any of them arising out of or as a result of this Agreement or the ownership,
either directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Administrative Agent, the
Liquidity Provider or the Credit Support Provider of the Note excluding,
however, (i) Indemnified Amounts to the extent resulting from gross negligence
or willful misconduct on the part of an Indemnified Party or (ii) recourse
(except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement) for uncollectible
Receivables. Such Indemnified Amounts shall be paid in accordance with Section
5.1 of the Security Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Issuer shall indemnify each Indemnified Party for Indemnified Amounts
relating to or resulting from:

                  (a) reliance on any representation or warranty made by the
Issuer or the Servicer (or any officers of the Issuer or the Servicer) under or
in connection with this Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, any Servicer's
Certificate or any other information or report delivered by the Issuer or the
Servicer pursuant hereto or thereto, which shall have been false or incorrect in
any material respect when made or deemed made;

                                 23
<PAGE>
                  (b) the failure by the Issuer or the Servicer to comply with
any applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the Collateral, or the
non-conformity of the Collateral with any such applicable law, rule or
regulation;

                  (c) the failure to vest and maintain vested in the Collateral
Agent a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, free and
clear of any Lien;

                  (d) the failure to file, or any delay in filing, financing
statements, continuation statements, or other similar instruments or documents
under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other applicable laws with
respect to all or any part of the Collateral in order to maintain the first
priority perfected security interest of the Collateral Agent in such Collateral;

                  (e) any dispute, claim, offset or defense (other than
discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor) of the Obligor to the payment of any
Receivable (including, without limitation, a defense based on such Receivable
not being the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from the
sale of a Financed Vehicle or services related to such Receivable or the
furnishing or failure to furnish such Financed Vehicle or services;

                  (f) any failure of the Issuer to perform its duties or
obligations in accordance with the provisions of Articles IV and V of the
Security Agreement; or

                  (g) any products liability claim or personal injury or
property damage suit or other similar or related claim or action of whatever
sort arising out of or in connection with the related Financed Vehicle or
related merchandise or services which are the subject of any Receivable;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company enters into agreements for the purchase
of interests in receivables from one or more Other Transferors, the Company
shall allocate such Indemnified Amounts which are in connection with the
Liquidity Agreement or the Credit Support Agreement to the Issuer and each Other
Transferor; and

                                 24
<PAGE>
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if such Indemnified Amounts are attributable to the
Issuer and not attributable to any Other Transferor, the Issuer shall be solely
liable for such Indemnified Amounts or if such Indemnified Amounts are
attributable to Other Transferors and not attributable to the Issuer, such Other
Transferors shall be solely liable for such Indemnified Amounts.

            SECTION 4.2. INDEMNITY FOR TAXES, RESERVES AND EXPENSES. (a) If
after the date hereof, the adoption of any Law or bank regulatory guideline or
any amendment or change in the interpretation of any existing or future Law or
bank regulatory guideline by any Official Body charged with the administration,
interpretation or application thereof, or the compliance with any directive of
any Official Body (in the case of any bank regulatory guideline, whether or not
having the force of Law):

                  (1) shall subject any Indemnified Party to any tax, duty or
other charge with respect to this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment, the
Collateral or payments of amounts due hereunder, or shall change the basis of
taxation of payments to any Indemnified Party of amounts payable in respect of
this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment, the Collateral or payments of
amounts due hereunder or its obligation to advance funds under the Liquidity
Agreement, the Credit Support Agreement or otherwise in respect of this
Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment or the Collateral (except for changes in
the rate of general corporate, franchise, net income or other income tax imposed
on such Indemnified Party by the jurisdiction in which such Indemnified Party's
principal executive office is located); or

                  (2) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement (including, without limitation, any such
requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by,
any Indemnified Party or shall impose on any Indemnified Party or on the United
States market for certificates of deposit or the London interbank market any
other condition affecting this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment, the
Collateral or payments of amounts due hereunder or its obligation to advance
funds under the Liquidity Agree-

                                 25
<PAGE>
ment, the Credit Support Agreement or otherwise in re- spect of this Agreement,
the Note, the Net Investment or the Collateral;

                  (3) imposes upon any Indemnified Party any other expense
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and
expenses of litigation or preparation therefor in contesting any of the
foregoing) with respect to this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment, the
Collateral or payments of amounts due hereunder or its obligation to advance
funds under the Liquidity Agreement or the Credit Support Agreement or otherwise
in respect of this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment or the Collateral;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such
Indemnified Party with respect to this Agreement, the Note, the Net Investment,
the Collateral, the obligations hereunder, the funding of any purchases
hereunder, the Liquidity Agreement or the Credit Support Agreement, by an amount
deemed by such Indemnified Party to be material, then within 10 days after
demand by the Company, the Issuer shall pay to the Company such additional
amount or amounts as will compensate such Indemnified Party for such increased
cost PROVIDED that no such amount shall be payable with respect to any period
commencing more than 90 days prior to the date the Company first notifies the
Issuer of its intention to demand compensation therefor under this Section
4.2(a).

                  (b) If any Indemnified Party shall have determined that after
the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable Law or bank regulatory guideline
regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the
interpretation thereof by any Official Body, or any directive regarding capital
adequacy (in the case of any bank regulatory guideline, whether or not having
the force of law) of any such Official Body, has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on capital of such Indemnified Party (or its parent)
as a consequence of such Indemnified Party's obligations hereunder or with
respect hereto to a level below that which such Indemnified Party (or its
parent) could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request or directive
(taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount deemed by such Indemnified Party to be material, then

                                 26
<PAGE>
from time to time, within 10 days after demand by the Company, the Issuer shall
pay to the Company such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Indemnified Party (or its parent) for such reduction; PROVIDED that no such
amount shall be payable with respect to any period commencing less than 30 days
after the date the Company first notifies the Issuer of its intention to demand
compensation under this Section 4.2(b).

                  (c) The Company will promptly notify the Issuer of any event
of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle
an Indemnified Party to compensation pursuant to this Section 4.2. A notice by
the Company claiming compensation under this Section and setting forth the
additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in
the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, the Company may use
any reasonable averaging and attributing methods.

                  (d) Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the Company enters into agreements for the acquisition of
interests in receivables from one or more Other Transferors, the Company shall
allocate the liability for any amounts under this Section 4.2 ("SECTION 4.2
COSTS") ratably to the Issuer and each Other Transferor; and PROVIDED, FURTHER,
that if such Section 4.2 Costs are attributable to the Issuer and not
attributable to any Other Transferor, the Issuer shall be solely liable for such
Section 4.2 Costs or if such Section 4.2 Costs are attributable to Other
Transferors and not attributable to the Issuer, such Other Transferors shall be
solely liable for such Section 4.2 Costs.

                  SECTION 4.3. OTHER COSTS, EXPENSES AND RELATED MATTERS. The
Issuer agrees, upon receipt of a written invoice, to pay or cause to be paid, in
accordance with 5.1(a)(x) of the Security Agreement and to save the Company and
the Administrative Agent harmless against liability for the payment of, all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys',
accountant's and other third parties' fees and expenses, any filing fees and
expenses incurred by officers or employees of the Company) incurred by or on
behalf of the Company and the Administrative Agent (i) in connection with the
negotiation, execution, delivery

                                 27
<PAGE>
and preparation of this Agreement, the Note and the Security Agreement and any
documents or instruments delivered pursuant hereto or thereto and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (ii) from time to time (a)
relating to any amendments, waivers or consents under this Agreement, the Note
and the Security Agreement, (b) arising in connection with the Company's or its
agent's enforcement or preservation of rights (including, without limitation,
the perfection and protection of the Collateral Agent's security interest in the
Collateral), or (c) arising in connection with any audit, dispute, disagreement,
litigation or preparation for litigation involving this Agreement (all of such
amounts, collectively, "TRANSACTION COSTS").

                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            SECTION 5.1. NOTICES, ETC. Except where telephonic instructions or
notices are authorized herein to be given, all notices, demands, instructions
and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any
party hereto shall be in writing and shall be sent by facsimile transmission
with a confirmation of the receipt thereof and shall be deemed to be given for
purposes of this Agreement on the day that the receipt of such facsimile
transmission is confirmed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.1.
Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the
foregoing provisions of this Section, notices, demands, instructions and other
communications in writing shall be given to or made upon the respective parties
hereto at their respective addresses indicated below, and, in the case of
telephonic instructions or notices, by calling the telephone number or numbers
indicated for such party below:

            If to the Company:

                  Enterprise Funding Corporation
                  c/o Merrill Lynch Money Markets Inc.
                  World Financial Center - South Tower
                  225 Liberty Street
                  New York, New York  10281
                  Attention:  Gary Carlin
                  Telephone: (212) 236-7200

                                 28
<PAGE>
                  Telecopy:  (212) 236-7584

                  (with a copy to the Administrative Agent)

            If to the Issuer:

                  First Investors Auto Receivables
                  Corporation
                  675 Bering Drive
                  Suite 710
                  Houston, Texas 77057
                  Attention: Tommy A. Moore, Jr.
                  Telephone: (713) 977-2600
                  Telecopy: (713) 977-0657

            If to the Collateral Agent:

                  Texas Commerce Bank National Association
                  600 Travis, 8th Floor
                  Houston, Texas 77022
                  Attention: Global Trust Services -
                             First Investors Auto
                              Receivables Corporation
                  Telephone: (713) 216-4181
                  Telecopy:  (713) 216-4880

            If to the Administrative Agent:

                  NationsBank N.A.
                  NationsBank Corporate
                  Center - 10th Floor
                  100 North Tryon Street
                  NC1-007-10-01
                  Charlotte, North Carolina  28255-0001
                  Attention:  Michelle M. Heath
                              Investment Banking
                  Telephone:  (704) 386-7922
                  Telecopy:   (704) 388-9169

            SECTION 5.2. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon the Issuer and the Company and their respective successors and assigns and
shall inure to the benefit of the Issuer, and the Company and their respective
successors and assigns including the Liquidity Provider; PROVIDED that the
Issuer shall not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of the Company, the Collateral Agent and the Surety Bond
Provider. The Issuer hereby acknowledges that the Company has assigned

                                 29
<PAGE>
and granted a security interest in all of its rights hereunder and under the
Note to the EFC Collateral Agent. In addition, the Issuer hereby acknowledges
that the Company may at any time and from time to time assign all or a portion
of its rights hereunder to the Liquidity Provider pursuant to the Liquidity
Agreement. Except as expressly permitted hereunder or in the agreements
establishing the Company's commercial paper program, the Company shall not
assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the Issuer. The parties hereto agree that the Surety Bond Provider is
an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

            SECTION 5.3. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. Any provisions of this Agreement
which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

            SECTION 5.4. AMENDMENTS; GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER (I) MAY NOT BE CHANGED ORALLY
BUT ONLY BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY THE PARTIES HERETO PROVIDED THAT
THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SURETY BOND PROVIDER SHALL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY
AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION OF SECTIONS 4.2, 4.3, 5.4 OR 5.8 OF THIS AGREEMENT AND
PRIOR TO ANY AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION WHICH SHALL MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF THE SURETY BOND PROVIDER AND (II) SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            SECTION 5.5. NO BANKRUPTCY PETITION AGAINST THE COMPANY. The Issuer
covenants and agrees that, prior to the date which is one year and one day after
the payment in full of all Commercial Paper issued by the Company, it will not
institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Company
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
proceedings, or other proceedings under any federal or state bankruptcy or
similar law.

            SECTION 5.6. NO PROCEEDINGS. The Company hereby agrees that it will
not directly or indirectly

                                 30
<PAGE>
institute, or cause to be instituted, against the Issuer any bankruptcy or
insolvency proceeding so long as there shall not have elapsed one year plus one
day after payment in full of the Note.

            SECTION 5.7. SETOFF. The Issuer hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives all right of setoff that it may have under contract
(including this Agreement), applicable law or otherwise with respect to any
funds or monies of the Company at any time held by or in the possession of the
Issuer.

            SECTION 5.8. NO RECOURSE. The Issuer's obligations under the Note
are payable solely from the Collateral and no general recourse shall be had on
the Note against the Issuer; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall
affect the ability of the Company, or the Administrative Agent, to demand funds
under the Surety Bond in accordance with the terms thereof. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, it is understood and agreed that the
Issuer shall not be liable for the payment of Commercial Paper or for any losses
suffered by the Company in respect of the Note. The foregoing sentence shall not
relieve the Issuer from any liability hereunder or under the Security Agreement
with respect to its representations, warranties, covenants and other payment and
performance obligations herein or therein described.

            SECTION 5.9. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Issuer agrees to do such
further acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Company or the
Collateral Agent such additional assignments, agreements, powers and instruments
as are required by the Company or the Collateral Agent to carry into effect the
purposes of this Agreement or the Security Agreement or to better assure and
confirm unto the Company or the Collateral Agent its rights, powers and remedies
hereunder or thereunder.

            SECTION 5.10. NO RECOURSE AGAINST MERRILL. The obligations of the
Company under this Agreement are solely the corporate obligations of the
Company. No recourse shall be had for the payment of any amount owing against
Merrill Lynch Money Markets, Inc. ("Merrill") or against any stockholder,
employee, officer, director or incorporator of the Company. For purposes of this
Section 5.10, the term "Merrill" shall mean and include Merrill and all
affiliates thereof and any employee, officer, director, incorporator, share-

                                 31
<PAGE>
holder or beneficial owner of any of them; PROVIDED HOWEVER, that the Company
shall not be considered to be an affiliate of Merrill for purposes of this
Section 5.10.

            SECTION 5.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of copies, and by the different parties hereto on the same or separate
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original instrument.

            SECTION 5.12 HEADINGS. Section headings used in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

                                 32
<PAGE>
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized
as of the day and year first above written.

                              FIRST INVESTORS AUTO RECEIVABLES
                                  CORPORATION,
                                    as Issuer

                              By: /s/ TOMMY MOORE JR.
                                      Name: Tommy Moore Jr.
                                     Title:

                            ENTERPRISE FUNDING CORPORATION,
                                     as Company

                              By: /s/ GERARD M. HAVATT
                                      Name: Gerard M. Havatt
                                     Title: Vice President

                                   33