CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES INC
424B2, 1998-07-30
SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
TO PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 16, 1997

                                  $235,532,000

                                  [CPS Logo]

                       CPS AUTO RECEIVABLES TRUST 1998-3
               $36,000,000 5.6375% ASSET-BACKED NOTES, CLASS A-1
               $92,000,000 5.8550% ASSET-BACKED NOTES, CLASS A-2
               $25,000,000 5.9950% ASSET-BACKED NOTES, CLASS A-3
               $82,532,000 6.0800% ASSET-BACKED NOTES, CLASS A-4
 
                             CPS RECEIVABLES CORP.
                                    (SELLER)
 
                       CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
                                   (SERVICER)

                         ------------------------------
 
    CPS Auto Receivables Trust 1998-3 (the "Trust") was formed pursuant to a
Trust Agreement, dated as of July 8, 1998, to be amended and restated as of July
15, 1998, between CPS Receivables Corp., as depositor (the "Seller"), and
Bankers Trust (Delaware), as owner trustee (the "Owner Trustee"). The 5.6375%
Asset-Backed Notes, Class A-1 (the "Class A-1 Notes"), the 5.8550% Asset-Backed
Notes, Class A-2 (the "Class A-2 Notes"), the 5.9950% Asset-Backed Notes, Class
A-3 (the "Class A-3 Notes") and the 6.0800% Asset-Backed Notes, Class A-4 (the
"Class A-4 Notes" and, together with the Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes
and the Class A-3 Notes, the "Class A Notes" or the "Notes"), will be issued
pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of July 15, 1998, between
the Trust and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as indenture trustee
(in such capacity, the "Indenture Trustee"). The Trust will also issue
Asset-Backed Certificates (the "Certificates" and, together with the Notes, the
"Securities") in an initial principal amount of $4,807,160.19 which will not
bear interest and which will initially be retained by the Seller. The rights of
the holders of the Certificates to receive payments of principal will be
subordinated to the rights of Noteholders to the extent described herein. Only
the Notes are offered hereby.

                         ------------------------------
 
    The Trust Assets will include a pool of retail installment sale contracts
(including contracts representing obligations of Sub-Prime Borrowers (as defined
herein) ) and all rights thereunder, certain monies received thereunder after
July 1, 1998, security interests in the used and new automobiles, light trucks,
vans and minivans securing the Receivables (as defined herein) , certain bank
accounts and the proceeds thereof and the right of Consumer Portfolio Services,
Inc. ("CPS") or CPS's subsidiaries, Samco Acceptance Corp. ("Samco") and Linc
Acceptance Company LLC ("Linc"), to receive certain insurance proceeds and
certain other property, as more fully described herein. The Receivables will be
purchased by the Seller from CPS, Samco and Linc, on or prior to the date of the
issuance of the Securities.

                         ------------------------------
 
    Nomura Securities International, Inc. ("Nomura" or, in its capacity as
underwriter, the "Underwriter"), has agreed to purchase from the Seller the
Class A-1 Notes at a purchase price equal to 100.000000% of the principal amount
of Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes at a purchase price equal to 100.013897%
of the principal amount of Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes at a purchase
price equal to 100.015693% of the principal amount of Class A-3 Notes and the
Class A-4 Notes at a purchase price equal to 100.007538% of the principal amount
of the Class A-4 Notes and in each case subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Underwriting Agreement referred to herein under "Underwriting". The
aggregate proceeds to the Seller, after deducting expenses payable by the
Seller, estimated at $3,238,200, will be $232,316,729.75 for the Notes, subject
to adjustment as set forth under the caption "Underwriting" herein.

                         ------------------------------
 
    The Underwriter proposes to offer the Notes from time to time in negotiated
transactions or otherwise, at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale. For further informaton with respect to the plan of distribution and any
discounts, commissions or profits that may be deemed underwriting discounts or
commissions, see "Underwriting" herein.

                         ------------------------------
 
    Full and timely payment of the Scheduled Payments (as defined herein) in
respect of the Notes on each Payment Date is unconditionally and irrevocably
guaranteed pursuant to a financial guaranty insurance policy (the "Policy") to
be issued by Financial Security Assurance Inc. (the "Insurer").

                                  [FSA Logo]
 
     FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION, SEE "RISK
FACTORS" AT PAGE S-17 HEREIN AND PAGE 13 IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.

                         ------------------------------
 
THE SECURITIES REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST ONLY AND DO NOT REPRESENT
  INTERESTS IN OR OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER, THE SERVICER OR ANY AFFILIATE
    THEREOF. THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
       NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
        SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
        OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                         ------------------------------
 
    The Notes are offered hereby by the Underwriter when, as and if issued by
the Trust, delivered to and accepted by the Underwriter and subject to the right
of the Underwriter to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the Notes will be made on or about July 28, 1998, only through The
Depository Trust Company.
 
                         ------------------------------

                     NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                         ------------------------------
 
            THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS JULY 27, 1998.

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                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     CPS has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement (together with all amendments and
exhibits thereto, referred to herein as the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") with respect to the
Notes offered pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement. For further information,
reference is made to the Registration Statement which may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; and at the Commission's regional
offices at 500 West Madison, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The
Commission also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports,
proxy statements, information statements and other information regarding
registrants, including CPS, that file electronically with the Commission. The
Servicer, on behalf of the Trust, will also file or cause to be filed with the
Commission such periodic reports as may be required under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder. Upon the receipt of a request from an
investor who has received an electronic Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus
from the Underwriter or a request from such investor's representative within the
period during which there is an obligation to deliver a Prospectus Supplement
and Prospectus, CPS, the Seller or the Underwriter will promptly deliver, or
cause to be delivered, without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus Supplement
and Prospectus.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     All documents subsequently filed by CPS with the Registration Statement,
either on its own behalf or on behalf of the Trust, relating to the Notes, with
the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, after the date of this Prospectus Supplement and prior to the termination
of the offering of the Notes hereby, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus Supplement and to be a part of this Prospectus
Supplement from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement
contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus Supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein, modifies or replaces such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     In addition to the documents described above and in the accompanying
Prospectus under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference", the
consolidated financial statements of Financial Security Assurance Inc.
("Financial Security") and its subsidiaries included in, or as exhibits to, the
following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by Financial
Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. ("Holdings"), are hereby incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus Supplement:
 
       (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and
 
       (b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998.
 
     All financial statements of Financial Security and its subsidiaries
included in documents filed by Holdings pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus Supplement
and prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus Supplement and to be a part
hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents.
 
     The New York State Insurance Department recognizes only statutory
accounting practices for determining and reporting the financial conditions and
results of operations of an insurance company, for determining its solvency
under the New York Insurance Law, and for determining whether its financial
condition warrants the payment of a dividend to its stockholders. No
consideration is given by the New York State Insurance Department to financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
in making such determinations.
 
                                      S-2

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     The Seller on behalf of the Trust hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Trust's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and each
filing of the financial statements of Financial Security included in or as an
exhibit to the annual report of Holdings filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
Notes offered hereby, and the offering of such Notes at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     CPS will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus
Supplement is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the documents referred to above that have been or may be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement (not including exhibits
to the information that is incorporated by reference unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
Supplement incorporates). Written requests for such copies should be directed
to: Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc., 2 Ada, Irvine, California 92718,
Attention: Jeffrey P. Fritz. Telephone requests for such copies should be
directed to Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. at (714) 753-6800.
 
                             REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS
 
     Unless and until Definitive Notes are issued, periodic reports containing
information concerning the Receivables will be prepared by the Servicer and sent
on behalf of the Trust only to Cede & Co. ("Cede"), as nominee of The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC") and registered holder of the Notes. Such reports will not
constitute financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The Servicer will file with the Commission such periodic
reports as are required under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder and as are otherwise agreed to by the Commission. Copies of such
periodic reports may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates.
 
                                      S-3

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                                    SUMMARY
 
     This Summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and in the
accompanying Prospectus. Certain capitalized terms used in this Summary are
defined elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement on the pages indicated in the
"Index of Terms" or, to the extent not defined herein, have the meaning assigned
to such terms in the Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
Issuer.............................   CPS Auto Receivables Trust 1998-3 (the "Trust" or the
                                      "Issuer").
 
Seller.............................   CPS Receivables Corp. (the "Seller"), a California
                                      corporation. See "The Seller and CPS" in this Prospectus
                                      Supplement.
 
Servicer...........................   Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. ("CPS" or, in its
                                      capacity as the servicer, the "Servicer"), a California
                                      corporation. See "CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio"
                                      and "The Seller and CPS" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
Originators........................   CPS, Samco Acceptance Corp. ("Samco"), a Delaware
                                      corporation, and Linc Acceptance Company LLC ("Linc";
                                      Samco and Linc are each an "Affiliated Originator" and
                                      are, together, the "Affiliated Originators"), a Delaware
                                      limited liability company (each, in such capacity, an
                                      "Originator" and, together, the "Originators"). CPS
                                      holds an 80% ownership interest in each of Samco and
                                      Linc.
 
Indenture Trustee and
  Standby Servicer.................   Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national
                                      banking association, located at Sixth Street and
                                      Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0070.
 
Owner Trustee......................   Bankers Trust (Delaware), located at 1011 Centre Road,
                                      Suite 200, Wilmington, Delaware 19805-1266.
 
Insurer............................   Financial Security Assurance Inc., a financial guaranty
                                      insurance company incorporated under the laws of the
                                      State of New York (the "Insurer"). See "The Insurer" in
                                      this Prospectus Supplement.
 
Closing Date.......................   On or about July 28, 1998 (the "Closing Date").
 
The Trust..........................   The Trust will be a business trust established under the
                                      laws of the State of Delaware. The activities of the
                                      Trust are limited by the terms of the Trust Agreement,
                                      dated as of July 8, 1998, to be amended and restated as
                                      of July 15, 1998, between the Seller, as depositor, and
                                      the Owner Trustee (the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust
                                      will issue 5.6375% Asset-Backed Notes, Class A-1 (the
                                      "Class A-1 Notes") in the aggregate original principal
                                      amount of $36,000,000, 5.8550% Asset-Backed Notes, Class
                                      A-2 (the "Class A-2 Notes") in the aggregate original
                                      principal amount of $92,000,000, 5.9950% Asset-Backed
                                      Notes, Class A-3 (the "Class A-3 Notes") in the
                                      aggregate original principal amount of $25,000,000 and
                                      6.0800% Asset-Backed Notes, Class A-4 (the "Class A-4
                                      Notes" and, together with the Class A-1 Notes, the Class
                                      A-2 Notes and the Class A-3 Notes, the "Notes") in the
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-4

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<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
                                      aggregate original principal amount of $82,532,000. The
                                      aggregate original principal amount of the Notes will be
                                      $235,532,000. The Trust will also issue Asset-Backed
                                      Certificates in the aggregate original principal amount
                                      of $4,807,160.19 (the "Certificates" and, together with
                                      the Notes, the "Securities") which will not bear
                                      interest. The Notes will be issued pursuant to an
                                      Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1998 (the "Indenture").
                                      The Notes will be offered for purchase in minimum
                                      denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000
                                      in excess thereof, in book entry form only. See
                                      "Description of the Securities Book-Entry Registration"
                                      in the Prospectus. The Notes will be secured by the
                                      Trust Assets as, and to the extent, provided in the
                                      Indenture and the Trust Agreement. Only the Notes are
                                      offered hereby.
 
Trust Assets.......................   The property of the Trust (the "Trust Assets") will
                                      include (i) a pool of retail installment sale contracts
                                      (each a "Receivable" and collectively, the "Receivables
                                      Pool") secured by the used and new automobiles, light
                                      trucks, vans and minivans financed thereby (the
                                      "Financed Vehicles"), (ii) all payments received on the
                                      Receivables after July 1, 1998 (the "Cutoff Date"),
                                      (iii) security interests in the Financed Vehicles, (iv)
                                      certain bank accounts and the proceeds thereof, (v) the
                                      right of CPS, Samco and Linc to receive proceeds from
                                      claims under, or refunds of unearned premiums from,
                                      certain insurance policies and extended service
                                      contracts, (vi) all right, title and interest of the
                                      Seller in and to the Purchase Agreements (as defined
                                      below) and (vii) certain other property, as more fully
                                      described herein. See "The Trust Assets" in this
                                      Prospectus Supplement and "The Receivables" in the
                                      Prospectus.
 
The Receivables....................   As of the Cutoff Date, the aggregate outstanding
                                      principal balance of the Receivables was $240,339,160.19
                                      (the "Original Pool Balance"). On or prior to the
                                      Closing Date, the Seller will purchase the Receivables
                                      from CPS, Samco and Linc pursuant to three purchase
                                      agreements, each dated as of July 15, 1998 (the "CPS
                                      Purchase Agreement", the "Samco Purchase Agreement" and
                                      the "Linc Purchase Agreement", respectively, and each, a
                                      "Purchase Agreement" and, together, the "Purchase Agree-
                                      ments"), each between the respective Originator and the
                                      Seller. The Receivables sold by CPS, Samco and Linc (the
                                      "CPS Receivables", "Samco Receivables" and "Linc
                                      Receivables", respectively) will represent approximately
                                      92.88%, 5.35% and 1.78%, respectively, of the Original
                                      Pool Balance. Pursuant to the Sale and Servicing
                                      Agreement, dated as of July 15, 1998 (the "Sale and
                                      Servicing Agreement"), the Trust, in turn, will pur-
                                      chase from the Seller the Receivables. The Receivables
                                      consist of retail installment sale contracts secured by
                                      used and new automobiles, light trucks, vans and
                                      minivans including the rights to all payments received
                                      with respect to such Receivables after the Cutoff Date.
                                      As of the Cutoff Date, approximately 90.86% of the
                                      aggregate principal balance of the Receivables
                                      represented financing of used vehicles.
 
                                      The Receivables arise from loans originated by
                                      automobile dealers, independent finance companies
                                      ("IFCs") or Deposit
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5

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<S>                                   <C>
                                      Institutions for assignment to CPS, Samco or Linc
                                      pursuant to CPS's auto loan programs. The auto loan
                                      programs target automobile purchasers with marginal
                                      credit ratings who are generally unable to obtain credit
                                      from banks or other low-risk lenders. See "CPS's
                                      Automobile Contract Portfolio--General", "The
                                      Receivables Pool" and "Risk Factors--Sub-Prime Obligors;
                                      Servicing" in this Prospectus Supplement and "Risk
                                      Factors--Sub-Prime Obligors" in the Prospectus.
 
                                      The Receivables have been selected from motor vehicle
                                      retail installment sale contracts in CPS's, Samco's and
                                      Linc's portfolios based on the criteria specified in the
                                      Purchase Agreements and the Sale and Servicing Agreement
                                      and described in this Prospectus Supplement. Each
                                      Receivable is a Rule of 78's Receivable or a Simple
                                      Interest Receivable. As of the Cutoff Date, the weighted
                                      average annual percentage rate (the "APR") of the
                                      Receivables was approximately 20.447%, the weighted
                                      average remaining term to maturity of the Receivables
                                      was approximately 56.7 months and the weighted average
                                      original term to maturity of the Receivables was
                                      approximately 57.6 months. No Receivable has a scheduled
                                      maturity date later than July 11, 2003.
 
Terms of the Notes.................   The principal terms of the Notes will be as described
                                      below:
 
  A. Payment Dates.................   Payments of interest and principal on the Notes will be
                                      made on the 15th day of each month or, if such 15th day
                                      is not a Business Day, on the next following Business
                                      Day (each a "Payment Date"), commencing August 15,
                                      1998. Payments will be made to holders of record of the
                                      Notes (the "Noteholders") as of the close of business on
                                      the Record Date applicable to such Payment Date. A
                                      "Business Day" is a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday
                                      or a day on which banking institutions in the City of
                                      New York, New York, the State in which the principal
                                      corporate trust office of the Indenture Trustee is
                                      located, the State in which the principal corporate
                                      trust office of the Owner Trustee is located, the State
                                      in which the executive offices of the Servicer are
                                      located, or the State in which the principal place of
                                      business of the Insurer is located are authorized or
                                      obligated by law, executive order or governmental decree
                                      to be closed.
 
  B. Final Scheduled Payment
       Date........................   The "Final Scheduled Payment Date" for the Class A-1
                                      Notes will be the August 1999 Payment Date (the "Class
                                      A-1 Final Scheduled Payment Date"), for the Class A-2
                                      Notes will be the October 2001 Payment Date (the "Class
                                      A-2 Final Scheduled Payment Date"), for the Class A-3
                                      Notes will be the June 2002 Payment Date (the "Class A-3
                                      Final Scheduled Payment Date") and for the Class A-4
                                      Notes will be the October 2003 Payment Date (the "Class
                                      A-4 Final Scheduled Payment Date"). See "Risk
                                      Factors--Final Scheduled Payment Dates of the Notes".
 
  C. Interest Rates................   The Class A-1 Notes will bear interest at a rate equal
                                      to 5.6375% per annum (the "Class A-1 Interest Rate").
                                      The Class A-2 Notes will bear interest at a rate equal
                                      to 5.8550% per annum (the "Class A-2 Interest Rate").
                                      The Class A-3 Notes will bear
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-6

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<S>                                   <C>
                                      interest at a rate equal to 5.9950% per annum (the
                                      "Class A-3 Interest Rate"). The Class A-4 Notes will
                                      bear interest at a rate equal to 6.0800% per annum (the
                                      "Class A-4 Interest Rate"). Each such interest rate for
                                      a class of Notes is referred to as an "Interest Rate".
                                      Interest on the Class A-1 Notes will be calculated on
                                      the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of
                                      days elapsed from and including the most recent Payment
                                      Date on which interest has been paid (or, in the case of
                                      the first Payment Date, from and including the Closing
                                      Date) to, but excluding, the following Payment Date
                                      (each a "Class A-1 Interest Period"). Interest on the
                                      Class A-2 Notes, Class A-3 Notes and Class A-4 Notes
                                      will be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year
                                      consisting of twelve 30 day months.
 
  D. Interest......................   On each Payment Date, the holders of record of the Class
                                      A-1 Notes (the "Class A-1 Noteholders") as of the
                                      related Record Date will be entitled to receive, pro
                                      rata, interest for the applicable Class A-1 Interest
                                      Period at the Class A-1 Interest Rate on the outstanding
                                      principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes at the close of
                                      the preceding Payment Date. On each Payment Date, the
                                      holders of record of the Class A-2 Notes (the "Class A-2
                                      Noteholders") as of the related Record Date will be
                                      entitled to receive, pro rata, thirty (30) days of
                                      interest at the Class A-2 Interest Rate on the
                                      outstanding principal amount of the Class A-2 Notes at
                                      the close of the preceding Payment Date. On each Payment
                                      Date , the holders of record of the Class A-3 Notes (the
                                      "Class A-3 Noteholders") will be entitled to receive,
                                      pro rata, thirty (30) days of interest at the Class A-3
                                      Interest Rate on the outstanding principal amount of the
                                      Class A-3 Notes at the close of the preceding Payment
                                      Date. On each Payment Date, the holders of record of the
                                      Class A-4 Notes (the "Class A-4 Noteholders") will be
                                      entitled to receive, pro rata, thirty (30) days of
                                      interest at the Class A-4 Interest Rate on the
                                      outstanding principal amount of the Class A-4 Notes at
                                      the close of the preceding Payment Date. Notwithstanding
                                      the foregoing, on the initial Payment Date, the interest
                                      payable to the Noteholders of record of each class of
                                      Notes will be an amount equal to the product of (a) the
                                      Interest Rate applicable to such class of Notes, (b) the
                                      initial principal amount of such class of Notes and (c)
                                      a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of
                                      days from and including the Closing Date to and
                                      including August 14, 1998 (assuming, in the case of the
                                      Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the Class A-4
                                      Notes, that there are 30 days in each month of the year)
                                      and (ii) the denominator of which is 360.
 
                                      Interest on the Notes which is due but not paid on any
                                      Payment Date will be payable on the next Payment Date
                                      together with, to the extent permitted by law, interest
                                      on such unpaid amount at the applicable Interest Rate.
                                      See "Description of the Securities--Payment of Interest"
                                      in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
  E. Principal.....................   Principal of the Notes will be payable on each Payment
                                      Date in an amount equal to the Class A Noteholders'
                                      Principal Distributable Amount for the related
                                      Collection Period. The "Class A Noteholders' Principal
                                      Distributable Amount" is equal to the Class A
                                      Noteholders' Percentage (as of each Payment Date) of the
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-7

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<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
                                      Principal Distributable Amount. The Noteholders also 
                                      will be entitled to receive on each Payment Date any 
                                      unpaid portion of the Class A Noteholders' Principal
                                      Distributable Amount with respect to a prior Payment
                                      Date. In addition to the Class A Noteholders' Principal
                                      Distributable Amount, on each Payment Date on which the
                                      principal balance of the Notes (after giving effect to
                                      the payment of the Class A Noteholders' Principal
                                      Distributable Amount on such Payment Date) exceeds the
                                      Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date, the holders
                                      of the Notes will be entitled to receive a further
                                      payment in respect of principal in an amount equal to
                                      the lesser of (a) the portion of the Total Distribution
                                      Amount remaining after payment of amounts having a
                                      higher priority of payment has been made and (b) the
                                      amount by which the principal balance of the Notes
                                      (after giving effect to the payment of the Class A
                                      Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount on such
                                      Payment Date) exceeds the Class A Target Amount for such
                                      Payment Date. See "Priority of Payments" below.
 
                                      The "Class A Noteholders' Percentage" will be 98% on the
                                      initial Payment Date and on any Payment Date after the
                                      initial Payment Date will be the percentage equivalent
                                      of a fraction, the numerator of which is the principal
                                      amount of the Notes as of the close of the preceding
                                      Payment Date, and the denominator of which is the Pool
                                      Balance as of such Payment Date.
 
                                      The "Class A Target Amount" means, with respect to any
                                      Payment Date, an amount equal to 90% of the Pool Balance
                                      as of such Payment Date.
 
                                      Amounts paid on account of the Class A Noteholders'
                                      Principal Distributable Amount will be applied
                                      sequentially, to pay principal of the Class A-1 Notes
                                      until the principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes has
                                      been reduced to zero, then to pay principal of the Class
                                      A-2 Notes until the principal balance of the Class A-2
                                      Notes has been reduced to zero, then to pay principal of
                                      the Class A-3 Notes until the principal balance of the
                                      Class A-3 Notes has been reduced to zero and then to pay
                                      principal of the Class A-4 Notes until the principal
                                      balance of the Class A-4 Notes has been reduced to zero.
 
                                      The "Principal Distributable Amount" for a Payment Date
                                      will equal the sum of (a) collections on Receivables
                                      (other than Liquidated Receivables) allocable to
                                      principal including full and partial prepayments; (b)
                                      the portion of the Purchase Amount allocable to
                                      principal of each Receivable that was repurchased by CPS
                                      or purchased by the Servicer as of the last day of the
                                      related Collection Period and, at the option of the
                                      Insurer, the Principal Balance of each Receivable that
                                      was required to be but was not so purchased or
                                      repurchased (without duplication of the amounts referred
                                      to in (a) above); (c) the Principal Balance of each
                                      Receivable that first became a Liquidated Receivable
                                      during the preceding Collection Period (without
                                      duplication of the amounts included in (a) and (b)
                                      above); (d) the aggregate amount of Cram Down Losses
                                      with respect to the Receivables that shall have occurred
                                      during the preceding Collection Period (without
                                      duplication of amounts included in (a) through (c)
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                                      above) and (e) any proceeds from the liquidation of the
                                      Trust Assets pursuant to an acceleration of the Notes
                                      upon an Event of Default. In addition, the outstanding
                                      principal amount of the Notes of any class, to the
                                      extent not previously paid, will be payable on the
                                      respective Final Scheduled Payment Date for such class.
 
                                      A "Collection Period" with respect to a Payment Date
                                      will be the calendar month preceding the month in which
                                      such Payment Date occurs; provided, however, that with
                                      respect to the first Payment Date, the "Collection
                                      Period" will be the period from and excluding the Cutoff
                                      Date to and including July 31, 1998.
 
  F. Optional Redemption...........   The Notes, to the extent still outstanding, may be
                                      redeemed in whole, but not in part, on any Payment Date
                                      on which the Servicer exercises its option to purchase
                                      all the Receivables on or after the last day of any
                                      Collection Period on or after which the aggregate
                                      Principal Balance of the Receivables is equal to 10% or
                                      less of the Original Pool Balance, at a redemption price
                                      equal to at least the unpaid principal amount of the
                                      Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon;
                                      provided that the Servicer's right to exercise such
                                      option will be subject to the prior approval of the
                                      Insurer, but only if, after giving effect to such sale
                                      and redemption, a claim on the Policy would occur or any
                                      amount owing to the Insurer or the holders of the Notes
                                      would remain unpaid. See "Description of the
                                      Securities--Optional Redemption" in this Prospectus
                                      Supplement.
 
  G. Mandatory Redemption..........   The Notes may be accelerated and subject to immediate
                                      payment at par with accrued interest thereon upon the
                                      occurrence of an Event of Default under the Indenture.
                                      So long as no Insurer Default shall have occurred and be
                                      continuing, an Event of Default under the Indenture will
                                      occur only upon delivery by the Insurer to the Indenture
                                      Trustee of notice of the occurrence of certain events of
                                      default under the Insurance Agreement, dated as of July
                                      15, 1998. In the case of such an Event of Default and
                                      notice by the Insurer, the Notes will automatically be
                                      accelerated and subject to immediate payment at par with
                                      accrued interest thereon. The Policy does not guarantee
                                      payments of any amounts that become due on an
                                      accelerated basis, unless the Insurer elects, in its
                                      sole discretion to pay such amounts in whole or in part.
                                      See "Description of the Trust Documents--Events of
                                      Default" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
Overcollateralization..............   To the extent that the outstanding principal balance of
                                      the Notes on any Payment Date exceeds the Class A Target
                                      Amount for such Payment Date, the portion of the Total
                                      Distribution Amount remaining after payment of the
                                      amounts described in items (i) through (ix) under
                                      "Description of the Trust Documents -- Distributions --
                                      Priority of Distributions" will be applied to make a
                                      principal payment on the Notes in an amount equal to the
                                      lesser of (a) such remaining portion of the Total
                                      Distribution Amount and (b) the amount by which the
                                      outstanding principal balance of the Notes on such
                                      Payment Date exceeds the Class A Target Amount for such
                                      Payment Date. Such additional principal payment will
                                      cause the principal amount of
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                                      the Notes to amortize more quickly relative to the
                                      principal amount of the Receivables than would be the
                                      case if the Noteholders received only the Class A
                                      Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount.
 
Priority of Payments...............   On each Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee shall make
                                      the following distributions in the following order of
                                      priority:
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                                          (i) to the Standby Servicer, so long as CPS is the
                                              Servicer and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
                                              Association is the Standby Servicer, the Standby
                                              Fee and all unpaid Standby Fees from prior
                                              Collection Periods;
 
                                         (ii) to the Servicer, the Servicing Fee and all unpaid
                                              Servicing Fees from prior Collection Periods;
 
                                        (iii) in the event the Standby Servicer becomes the
                                              successor Servicer, to the Standby Servicer, to
                                              the extent not previously paid by the predecessor
                                              Servicer pursuant to the Sale and Servicing
                                              Agreement, reasonable transition expenses (up to a
                                              maximum of $50,000) incurred in becoming the
                                              successor Servicer;
 
                                         (iv) to the Indenture Trustee and the Owner Trustee,
                                              pro rata, the Trustee Fees and reasonable
                                              out-of-pocket expenses and all unpaid Trustee Fees
                                              and unpaid reasonable out-of-pocket expenses from
                                              prior Collection Periods;
 
                                          (v) to the Collateral Agent, all fees and expenses
                                              payable to the Collateral Agent with respect to
                                              such Payment Date;
 
                                         (vi) to the Noteholders, the Class A Noteholders'
                                              Interest Distributable Amount, to be distributed
                                              as described under "Description of the Trust
                                              Documents--Distributions";
 
                                        (vii) to the Noteholders, the Class A Noteholders'
                                              Principal Distributable Amount, plus the Class A
                                              Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall, if
                                              any, to be distributed as described under
                                              "Description of the Trust Documents--
                                              Distributions";
 
                                       (viii) to the Insurer, any amounts due to the Insurer
                                              under the terms of the Insurance Agreement ;
 
                                         (ix) on any Payment Date prior to the First Target
                                              Date, to the Collateral Agent, for deposit in the
                                              Spread Account, the amount by which the Initial
                                              Spread Account Deposit exceeds the amount in the
                                              Spread Account on such Payment Date;
 
                                          (x) on any Payment Date on which the principal balance
                                              of the Notes (after giving effect to the payment
                                              described in paragraph (vii) above) exceeds the
                                              Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date to the
                                              Noteholders, an amount equal to the lesser of (a)
                                              the portion of the Total Distribution Amount
                                              remaining after making the payments described in
                                              (i) through (ix) above and (b) the
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                                              excess of the principal balance of the Notes
                                              (after giving effect to the payment described in
                                              (vii) above) over the Class A Target Amount, to be
                                              distributed as described under "Description of the
                                              Trust Documents--Distributions";
 
                                         (xi) in the event any Person other than the Standby
                                              Servicer becomes the successor Servicer, to such
                                              successor Servicer, to the extent not previously
                                              paid by the predecessor Servicer pursuant to the
                                              Sale and Servicing Agreement, reasonable
                                              transition expenses (up to a maximum of $50,000
                                              for all such expenses) incurred in becoming the
                                              successor Servicer; and
 
                                        (xii) to the Collateral Agent, for deposit into the
                                              Spread Account, the remaining Total Distribution
                                              Amount, if any.
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                                      See "Description of the Trust
                                      Documents--Distributions--Priority of Distribution
                                      Amounts" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                      The "First Target Date" means the first Payment Date on
                                      which the principal balance of the Notes is equal to or
                                      less than the Class A Target Amount.
 
Record Dates.......................   The record date applicable to each Payment Date (each, a
                                      "Record Date") will be the 10th day of the calendar
                                      month in which such Payment Date occurs.
 
The Policy.........................   On the Closing Date, the Insurer will issue the Policy
                                      to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the
                                      Noteholders (the "Policy"). Pursuant to the Policy, the
                                      Insurer will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee
                                      to the Noteholders payment of the Class A Noteholders'
                                      Interest Distributable Amount and the Class A
                                      Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount (collec-
                                      tively, the "Scheduled Payments") on each Payment Date.
                                      The Certificates do not have the benefit of the Policy.
 
Spread Account.....................   As part of the consideration for the issuance of the
                                      Policy, the Seller has agreed to cause the Spread
                                      Account to be established with the Collateral Agent for
                                      the benefit of the Insurer and the Indenture Trustee on
                                      behalf of the Noteholders. On the Closing Date, the
                                      Seller will deposit into the Spread Account an amount
                                      specified by the Insurer (such amount, the "Initial
                                      Spread Account Deposit"). Thereafter, any portion of the
                                      Total Distribution Amount remaining on any Payment Date
                                      after payment of all fees and expenses due on such date
                                      to the Servicer, the Standby Servicer, the Indenture
                                      Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the
                                      Insurer, any successor Servicer and all principal and
                                      interest payments due to the Noteholders on such Payment
                                      Date, will be deposited in the Spread Account and held
                                      by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Indenture
                                      Trustee, on behalf of the Noteholders and the Insurer.
                                      Amounts on deposit in the Spread Account on any Payment
                                      Date which (after all payments required to be made on
                                      such date have been made) are in excess of the requisite
                                      amount determined from time to time in accordance with
                                      certain portfolio performance tests agreed upon by the
                                      Insurer and the Seller as a condition to
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                                      the issuance of the Policy (such requisite amount, the
                                      "Requisite Amount") will be released to or at the
                                      direction of the Seller. Because the Requisite Amount or
                                      the existence of the Spread Account may be modified or
                                      terminated by the Insurer prior to the occurrence and
                                      continuation of an Insurer Default with the written
                                      consent of CPS, the Seller and the Collateral Agent (but
                                      without the consent of the Indenture Trustee or any
                                      Noteholder), Noteholders should not rely on amounts in
                                      the Spread Account for payments of principal of or
                                      interest on the Notes. See "Description of the Trust
                                      Documents--Distributions--The Spread Account" in this
                                      Prospectus Supplement.
 
Repurchases and Purchases of
  Certain Receivables..............   CPS has made certain representations and warranties
                                      relating to the Receivables (including the Samco
                                      Receivables and the Linc Receivables) to the Seller in
                                      the CPS Purchase Agreement, and the Seller has made such
                                      representations and warranties for the benefit of the
                                      Trust and the Insurer in the Sale and Servicing
                                      Agreement. The Indenture Trustee, as acknowledged
                                      assignee of the repurchase obligations of CPS under the
                                      CPS Purchase Agreement, will be entitled to require CPS
                                      to repurchase any Receivable (including any Samco
                                      Receivable or Linc Receivable) if such Receivable is
                                      materially and adversely affected by a breach of any
                                      representation or warranty made by CPS with respect to
                                      the Receivable and such breach has not been cured within
                                      the applicable cure period following discovery by the
                                      Seller or CPS or notice to the Seller and CPS. See
                                      "Description of the Trust Documents--Sale and Assignment
                                      of Receivables" in the Prospectus.
 
                                      The Servicer will be obligated to repurchase any
                                      Receivable if, among other things, it extends the date
                                      for final payment by the Obligor of such Receivable
                                      beyond the last day of the penultimate Collection Period
                                      preceding the Class A-4 Final Scheduled Payment Date or
                                      fails to maintain a perfected security interest in the
                                      Financed Vehicle. See "Description of the Trust Docu-
                                      ments--Servicing Procedures" in this Prospectus
                                      Supplement and in the Prospectus.
 
Servicing..........................   The Servicer will be responsible for servicing, managing
                                      and making collections on the Receivables. On or prior
                                      to the next billing period after the Cutoff Date, the
                                      Servicer will notify each Obligor to make payments with
                                      respect to the Receivables after the Cutoff Date
                                      directly to a post office box in the name of the Seller
                                      for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Insurer (the
                                      "Post Office Box"). On each Business Day, Bank of
                                      America, as the lock-box processor (the "Lock-Box
                                      Processor"), will transfer any such payments received in
                                      the Post Office Box to a segregated lock-box account at
                                      Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association
                                      (the "Lock-Box Bank") in the name of the Seller for the
                                      benefit of the Noteholders and the Insurer (the
                                      "Lock-Box Account"). Within two Business Days of receipt
                                      of funds into the Lock-Box Account, the Servicer is
                                      required to direct the Lock-Box Bank to effect a
                                      transfer of funds from the Lock-Box Account to one or
                                      more accounts established with the Indenture Trustee.
                                      See "Description of the Trust Documents--
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                                      Accounts" in this Prospectus Supplement and "Description
                                      of the Trust Documents--Payments on Receivables" in the
                                      Prospectus.
 
Standby Servicer...................   Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national
                                      banking association, located at Sixth Street and
                                      Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
 
                                      If a Servicer Termination Event occurs and remains
                                      unremedied, (1) provided no Insurer Default has occurred
                                      and is continuing, then the Insurer in its sole and
                                      absolute discretion, or (2) if an Insurer Default shall
                                      have occurred and be continuing, then the Indenture
                                      Trustee may, with the consent of the Class A Note
                                      Majority, terminate the rights and obligations of the
                                      Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement. See
                                      "Risk Factors -- Sub-Prime Obligors; Servicing" and
                                      "Description of the Trust Documents -- Servicer
                                      Termination Events" in this Prospectus Supplement. If
                                      such event occurs when CPS is the Servicer, or if CPS
                                      resigns as Servicer or is terminated as Servicer by the
                                      Insurer, Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
                                      (in such capacity, the "Standby Servicer") has agreed to
                                      serve as successor Servicer under the Sale and Servicing
                                      Agreement pursuant to a Servicing and Lockbox Processing
                                      Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 15, 1998, among
                                      CPS, the Standby Servicer and the Indenture Trustee (the
                                      "Servicing Assumption Agreement"). The Standby Servicer
                                      will receive a fee (the "Standby Fee") for agreeing to
                                      stand by as successor Servicer and for performing other
                                      functions. If the Standby Servicer or any other entity
                                      serving at the time as Standby Servicer becomes the
                                      successor Servicer, it will receive compensation in an
                                      amount equal to one twelfth of the Servicing Fee Rate
                                      times the Pool Balance as of the close of business on
                                      the last day of the second preceding Collection Period.
                                      The "Servicing Fee Rate" will be a rate that will (i)
                                      reflect current market practice with respect to
                                      compensation of servicers of receivables comparable to
                                      the Receivables and (ii) not exceed 3.00% per annum. See
                                      "The Standby Servicer" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
Servicing Fee......................   The Servicing Fee for each Payment Date shall be equal
                                      to the result of one twelfth times 2.00% of the Pool
                                      Balance as of the close of business on the last day of
                                      the second preceding Collection Period; provided,
                                      however, that with respect to the first Payment Date the
                                      Servicer will be entitled to receive a Servicing Fee
                                      equal to the result of one-twelfth times 2.00% of the
                                      Original Pool Balance. As additional servicing
                                      compensation, the Servicer will also be entitled to
                                      receive certain late fees, prepayment charges and other
                                      administrative fees or similar charges.
 
Certain Legal Aspects of
  the Receivables..................   In connection with the sale of the Receivables, security
                                      interests in the Financed Vehicles securing the
                                      Receivables will be assigned by the Originators to the
                                      Seller pursuant to the applicable Purchase Agreements
                                      and by the Seller to the Trust pursuant to the Sale and
                                      Servicing Agreement. Certain of the Receivables (the
                                      "Affiliate Receivables"), representing approximately
                                      7.12% of the aggregate principal balance of the
                                      Receivables as
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                                      of the Cutoff Date, have been originated by Samco or
                                      Linc, affiliates of CPS. The certificates of title to
                                      the Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables show the
                                      applicable Originator as the lienholder. Due to the
                                      administrative burden and expense, the certificates of
                                      title to the Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables
                                      (including those securing the Affiliate Receivables)
                                      will not be marked, amended or re-issued to reflect the
                                      assignment thereof to the Seller, nor will the
                                      certificates of title to any Financed Vehicles be
                                      marked, amended or reissued to reflect the assignment
                                      thereof to the Trust. In the absence of such an
                                      amendment, the Trust may not have a perfected security
                                      interest in the Financed Vehicles securing the
                                      Receivables in some states.
 
                                      By virtue of the assignment of the Purchase Agreements
                                      to the Trust, CPS and, pursuant to the Sale and
                                      Servicing Agreement, the Seller, will be obligated to
                                      repurchase any Receivable (including any Samco
                                      Receivable and any Linc Receivable) sold to the Trust by
                                      the Seller, as to which there did not exist on the
                                      Closing Date a perfected security interest in the name
                                      of CPS, Samco or Linc in the Financed Vehicle securing
                                      such Receivable, and the Servicer will be obligated to
                                      purchase any Receivable sold to the Trust as to which it
                                      failed to maintain a perfected security interest in the
                                      name of CPS, Samco or Linc in the Financed Vehicle
                                      securing such Receivable (which perfected security
                                      interest has been assigned to, and is for the benefit
                                      of, the Trust) if, in either case, such breach
                                      materially and adversely affects the interests of the
                                      Trust, the Indenture Trustee, the Noteholders or the
                                      Insurer in such Receivable and if such failure or breach
                                      is not cured by the last day of the second (or, if CPS
                                      or the Servicer, as the case may be, elects, the first)
                                      month following the discovery by or notice to CPS or the
                                      Servicer, as the case may be, of such breach. To the
                                      extent the security interest of CPS, Samco or Linc is
                                      perfected, the Trust will have a prior claim over
                                      subsequent purchasers of such Financed Vehicle and
                                      holders of subsequently perfected security interests.
                                      However, as against liens for repairs of a Financed
                                      Vehicle or for unpaid storage charges or for taxes
                                      unpaid by an Obligor under a Receivable, or through
                                      fraud, forgery or negligence or error, CPS, Samco or
                                      Linc, and therefore the Trust, could lose its prior
                                      perfected security interest in a Financed Vehicle. None
                                      of CPS, the Seller or the Servicer will have any
                                      obligation to purchase a Receivable as to which a lien
                                      for repairs of a Financed Vehicle or for taxes unpaid by
                                      an Obligor under a Receivable result in losing the
                                      priority of the security interest in such Financed
                                      Vehicle after the Closing Date. See "Risk
                                      Factors--Certain Legal Aspects--Lack of Perfected
                                      Security Interest in Financed Vehicles" in this
                                      Prospectus Supplement and in the Prospectus.
 
Certain Legal Aspects -- Consumer
  Protection Laws..................   Federal and state consumer protection laws impose
                                      requirements on creditors in connection with extensions
                                      of credit and collections of retail installment loans.
                                      Because of the consumer-
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                                      oriented nature of the non-prime automobile industry,
                                      uncertainty regarding the application of certain of such
                                      laws to particular circumstances, as well as the
                                      willingness of some courts and regulatory agencies to
                                      adopt novel interpretations of such laws, participants
                                      in the non-prime automobile financing business are
                                      frequently named as defendants in litigation involving
                                      such laws. Any violation of such laws, or litigation
                                      alleging such a violation, with respect to a Receivable
                                      could give rise to defenses to payment by an Obligor
                                      against CPS, the Seller, the Depositor, the Owner
                                      Trustee, the Trust or the Indenture Trustee, or subject
                                      them to claims by the Obligor for damages or legal
                                      sanction. In some cases, substantial jury verdicts have
                                      been upheld. In addition, an Obligor may be entitled to
                                      assert against CPS, the Seller, the Depositor, the Owner
                                      Trustee, the Trust and the Indenture Trustee claims or
                                      defenses which it had against the seller of the Financed
                                      Vehicle. To the extent specified herein, CPS will be
                                      obligated to purchase any Receivable sold to the Trust
                                      that failed to comply with such legal requirements. See
                                      "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Consumer
                                      Protection Laws" in the Prospectus.
 
Book-Entry Notes...................   The Notes initially will be represented by one or more
                                      notes registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede") as
                                      the nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), and
                                      will only be available in the form of book-entries on
                                      the records of DTC and participating members thereof.
                                      Transfers within DTC will be in accordance with DTC's
                                      usual rules and operating procedures. Notes will be
                                      issued in definitive form only under the limited
                                      circumstances described herein. All references herein to
                                      "holders" of the Notes or "Noteholders" shall reflect
                                      the rights of beneficial owners of the Notes (the "Note
                                      Owners") as they may indirectly exercise such rights
                                      through DTC and participating members thereof, except as
                                      otherwise specified herein. See "Registration of Notes"
                                      in this Prospectus Supplement and "Description of the
                                      Securities--Book-Entry Registration" and "Definitive
                                      Notes" in the Prospectus.
 
Tax Status.........................   In the opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt ("Federal Tax
                                      Counsel"), for Federal income tax purposes the Notes
                                      will be characterized as debt and the Trust will not be
                                      characterized as an association (or publicly traded
                                      partnership) taxable as a corporation. Each Noteholder,
                                      by the acceptance of a Note, will agree to treat the
                                      Notes as indebtedness for Federal income tax purposes.
                                      See "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospec-
                                      tus and "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in this
                                      Prospectus Supplement for additional information
                                      concerning the application of Federal tax laws to the
                                      Trust and the Notes.
 
Money Market Eligibility...........   The Class A-1 Notes will be eligible securities for
                                      purchase by money market funds under Rule 2a-7 under the
                                      Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. A fund
                                      should consult with its advisor regarding the
                                      eligibility of the Class A-1 Notes under Rule 2a-7 and
                                      the fund's investment policies and objectives.
 
ERISA Considerations...............   Subject to the conditions and considerations discussed
                                      under "ERISA Considerations" in this Prospectus
                                      Supplement, the
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                                      Notes are eligible for purchase by pension,
                                      profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans, as well
                                      as individual retirement accounts and certain types of
                                      Keogh Plans (each, a "Benefit Plan"). By its acquisition
                                      of a Note, each Benefit Plan shall be deemed to
                                      represent that its purchase and holding of the Note will
                                      not give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction.
                                      See "ERISA Considerations" in this Prospectus
                                      Supplement.
 
Rating of the Notes................   It is a condition of issuance that the Class A-1 Notes
                                      be rated "A-1+" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a
                                      Division of The McGraw Hill Companies ("Standard &
                                      Poor's"), and "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
                                      ("Moody's", and together with Standard & Poor's, the
                                      "Rating Agencies") and the Class A-2 Notes, Class A-3
                                      Notes and Class A-4 Notes be rated "AAA" by Standard &
                                      Poor's and "Aaa" by Moody's, on the basis of the
                                      issuance of the Policy by the Insurer. A security rating
                                      is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
                                      and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the
                                      assigning Rating Agency. See "Risk Factors--Ratings of
                                      the Notes" in this Prospectus Supplement.
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                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus
Supplement and the Prospectus, prospective Noteholders should consider the
following factors, as well as those matters discussed in "Risk Factors" in the
Prospectus, in evaluating an investment in the Notes:
 
SUB-PRIME OBLIGORS; SERVICING
 
     The Originators purchase loans originated for assignment to the Originators
through automobile dealers, IFCs or Deposit Institutions (as defined herein).
The Originators' customers are generally "sub-prime borrowers" who have marginal
credit and fall into one of two categories: customers with moderate income,
limited assets and other income characteristics which cause difficulty in
borrowing from banks, captive finance companies of automakers or other
traditional sources of auto loan financing; and customers with a derogatory
credit record including a history of irregular employment, previous bankruptcy
filings, repossessions of property, charged-off loans and garnishment of wages.
The average interest rate charged by CPS to such "sub-prime borrowers" is
generally higher than that charged by commercial banks, financing arms of
automobile manufacturers and other traditional sources of consumer credit, which
typically impose more stringent credit requirements. The payment experience on
receivables of Obligors with marginal credit is likely to be different than that
on receivables of traditional auto financing sources and is likely to be more
sensitive to changes in the economic climate in the areas in which such Obligors
reside. As a result of the credit profile of the Obligors and the APRs of the
Receivables, the historical credit loss and delinquency rates on the Receivables
may be higher than those experienced by banks and the captive finance companies
of the automobile manufacturers. In the event of a default under a Receivable,
the only source of repayment may be liquidation proceeds from the related
Financed Vehicle. The Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables will consist
primarily of used vehicles which are likely to have a liquidation value
substantially below the amount financed by the related Receivable.
 
     The servicing of receivables of customers with marginal credit requires
special skill and diligence. The Servicer believes that its credit loss and
delinquency experience reflects in part its trained staff and collection
procedures. If a Servicer Termination Event occurs and CPS is removed as
Servicer or, if CPS resigns or is terminated as Servicer by the Insurer, the
Standby Servicer has agreed to assume the obligations of successor Servicer
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement. See "Description of the Trust
Documents--Rights Upon Servicer Termination Event" in this Prospectus
Supplement. There can be no assurance, however, that collections with respect to
the Receivables will not be adversely affected by any change in Servicer. See
"The Standby Servicer" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Sale and Servicing Agreement provides that the rights and obligations
of the Servicer terminate each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
unless renewed by the Insurer for successive quarterly periods. The Insurer will
agree to grant continuous renewals so long as (i) no Servicer Termination Event
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement has occurred and (ii) no event of default
under the insurance and indemnity agreement among CPS, the Seller and the
Insurer (the "Insurance Agreement") has occurred.
 
     Upon the occurrence of an Insurance Agreement Event of Default (under the
Insurance Agreement or any other insurance agreement pursuant to which Financial
Security has issued or issues in the future a financial guaranty insurance
policy in respect of securities issued by a trust for which CPS is the
Servicer), the Insurer will have the right to terminate CPS's appointment as
Servicer. The events constituting an Insurance Agreement Event of Default may be
modified, amended or waived by Financial Security without notice to or consent
of the Indenture Trustee or any Noteholder. See "Description of the Trust
Documents -- Servicer Termination Events".
 
LIQUIDITY OF CPS
 
     As a result of the performance of the portfolio of Contracts serviced by
CPS, the Insurer has increased the amount required to be on deposit in the
Spread Account in respect of the Notes. In response to such increase in required
credit enhancement and certain other obligations, CPS has implemented a plan to
raise additional working capital. CPS believes that the increased credit
enhancement requirement will not have a material adverse effect on its ability
to perform its obligations under the Trust Documents or any "insurance
agreement" pursuant to which Financial Security has issued or issues in the
future a financial
 
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guaranty insurance policy in respect of securities issued by a trust for which
CPS is the Servicer however, no assurances can be made to that effect.
 
TRUST RELATIONSHIP TO THE SELLER AND CPS
 
     In connection with each sale of Receivables by CPS, Samco or Linc to the
Seller and by the Seller to the Trust, each of CPS and the Seller will make
representations and warranties with respect to the characteristics of such
Receivables. In certain circumstances as set forth herein, CPS and the Seller
are required to repurchase Receivables with respect to which such
representations or warranties are not true as of the date made. Neither CPS nor
the Seller is otherwise obligated with respect to the Notes or payments thereon.
See "Description of the Trust Documents--Sale and Assignment of the Receivables"
in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS -- LACK OF PERFECTED SECURITY INTERESTS IN FINANCED
VEHICLES
 
     Due to the administrative burden and expense, the certificates of title to
the Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables will not be marked, amended or
reissued to reflect the assignment of the Receivables to the Seller by CPS,
Samco or Linc, as applicable, nor will the certificates of title to any of the
Financed Vehicles (including those securing the Samco Receivables and the Linc
Receivables) be amended or reissued to reflect the assignment to the Trust. In
the absence of such an amendment or reissuance, the Trust may not have a
perfected security interest in the Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables in
some states. By virtue of the assignment of the Purchase Agreements to the
Trust, CPS, and pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Seller will be
obligated to repurchase any Receivable sold to the Trust by the Seller
(including any Samco Receivable or Linc Receivable) as to which there did not
exist on the Closing Date a perfected security interest in the name of CPS,
Samco or Linc in the Financed Vehicle securing such Receivable, and the Servicer
will be obligated to purchase any Receivable sold to the Trust as to which it
failed to maintain a perfected security interest in the name of CPS, Samco or
Linc in the Financed Vehicle securing such Receivable if, in either case, such
breach materially and adversely affects the interests of the Trust, the
Noteholders, the Indenture Trustee or the Insurer in such Receivable and if such
failure or breach is not cured prior to the expiration of the applicable cure
period. To the extent the security interest of CPS, Samco or Linc is perfected,
the Trust will have a prior claim over subsequent purchasers of such Financed
Vehicle and holders of subsequently perfected security interests. However, as
against liens for repairs of a Financed Vehicle or for taxes unpaid by an
Obligor under a Receivable, or through fraud, forgery, negligence or error, CPS,
Samco or Linc, and therefore the Trust, could lose the priority of its security
interest or its security interest in a Financed Vehicle. None of CPS, the Seller
nor the Servicer will have any obligation to purchase a Receivable as to which a
lien for repairs of a Financed Vehicle or for taxes unpaid by an Obligor under a
Receivable result in losing the priority of the security interest in such
Financed Vehicle after the Closing Date. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Security Interest in Vehicles" in the Prospectus.
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
     As of the Cutoff Date, 19.00% of the Receivables by Principal Balance had
Obligors residing in the State of California. Economic conditions in the State
of California may affect the delinquency, loan loss and repossession experience
of the Trust with respect to the Receivables. See "The Receivables Pool" in this
Prospectus Supplement.
 
LIMITED ASSETS
 
     The Trust does not have, nor is it permitted or expected to have, any
significant assets or sources of funds other than the Receivables and amounts on
deposit in certain accounts held by the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the
Noteholders. The Notes represent obligations solely of the Trust and are not
obligations of, and will not be insured or guaranteed by, the Seller, the
Servicer, the Indenture Trustee or any other person or entity except for the
guaranty provided with respect to the Notes by the Insurer pursuant to the
Policy, as described herein. The Seller will take such steps as are necessary
for the Insurer to issue the Policy to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of
the Noteholders. Under the Policy, the Insurer will unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantee to the Class A Noteholders full and complete payment of
the Scheduled Payments on each Payment Date. Although the Policy will be
available on each
 
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Payment Date to cover shortfalls in distributions of the Class A Noteholders'
Distributable Amount on such Payment Date, in the event of an Insurer Default,
the Noteholders must rely on the collections on the Receivables, and the
proceeds from the repossession and sale of Financed Vehicles which secure
defaulted Receivables. In such event, certain factors, such as the Trust not
having perfected security interests in the Financed Vehicles, may affect the
Trust's ability to realize on the collateral securing the Receivables and thus
may reduce the proceeds to be distributed to Noteholders on a current basis. See
"Credit Enhancement", "Description of the Securities--Payment of Principal",
"--Payment of Interest" and "The Insurer" herein.
 
RISK OF CHANGES IN DELINQUENCY AND LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE
 
     CPS began purchasing Contracts from Dealers in October 1991. Although CPS
has calculated and presented herein its net loss experience with respect to its
servicing portfolio, there can be no assurance that the information presented
will reflect actual experience with respect to the Receivables. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the future delinquency or loan loss experience of
the Trust with respect to the Receivables will be better or worse than that set
forth herein with respect to CPS's servicing portfolio. See "CPS's Automobile
Contract Portfolio--Delinquency and Loss Experience" in this Prospectus
Supplement. Although credit history on Samco's and Linc's originations is
limited, CPS expects that the delinquency and net credit loss and repossession
experience with respect to the Receivables originated by Samco and Linc will be
similar to that of CPS's existing portfolio.
 
RATINGS OF THE NOTES
 
     It is a condition to the issuance of the Notes that the Class A-1 Notes be
rated "A-1+" by Standard & Poor's and "P-1" by Moody's and the Class A-2 Notes,
Class A-3 Notes and Class A-4 Notes be rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's and
"Aaa" by Moody's, on the basis of the issuance of the Policy by the Insurer. A
rating is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell the Notes, inasmuch as
such rating does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular
investor. The Rating Agencies do not evaluate, and the ratings do not address,
the possibility that Noteholders may receive a lower than anticipated yield.
There is no assurance that a rating will remain for any given period of time or
that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a Rating Agency if in
its judgment circumstances in the future so warrant. The ratings of the Notes
are based primarily on the rating of the Insurer. Upon an Insurer Default, the
rating on the Notes may be lowered or withdrawn entirely. In the event that any
rating initially assigned to the Notes were subsequently lowered or withdrawn
for any reason, including by reason of a downgrading of the Insurer's
claims-paying ability, no person or entity will be obligated to provide any
additional credit enhancement with respect to the Notes. Any reduction or
withdrawal of a rating may have an adverse effect on the liquidity and market
price of the Notes.
 
FINAL SCHEDULED PAYMENT DATES OF THE NOTES
 
     The Final Scheduled Payment Date for each class of Notes which is specified
at page S-6 herein, is the date by which the principal thereof is required to be
fully paid. The Final Scheduled Payment Date for each class of Notes has been
determined so that distributions on the underlying Receivables will be
sufficient to retire each such class on or before its respective Final Scheduled
Payment Date without the necessity of a claim on the Policy. However, because
(i) some prepayments of the Receivables are likely and (ii) certain of the
Receivables have terms to maturity that are shorter than the term to maturity
assumed in calculating each class's Final Scheduled Payment Date, the actual
payment of any class of Notes likely will occur earlier, and could occur
significantly earlier, than such class's Final Scheduled Payment Date.
Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the final distribution of principal
of any or all classes of Notes will be earlier than such class's Final Scheduled
Payment Date.
 
                             FORMATION OF THE TRUST
 
     The Issuer, CPS Auto Receivables Trust 1998-3, is a business trust formed
under the laws of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Trust Agreement. Prior
to the sale and assignment of the Trust Assets to the Trust, the Trust will have
no assets or obligations or any operating history. The Trust will not engage in
any business other than (i) acquiring, holding and managing the Receivables, the
other assets of the Trust and any proceeds thereof, (ii) issuing the Notes and
the Certificates, (iii) making payments in respect of the
 
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Notes and the Certificates and (iv) engaging in other activities that are
necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish the foregoing or are incidental
thereto.
 
     The Servicer will initially service the Receivables pursuant to the Sale
and Servicing Agreement and will be compensated for acting as the Servicer. See
"Description of the Trust Documents--Servicing Compensation" in this Prospectus
Supplement. The Indenture Trustee will be appointed custodian for the
Receivables and the certificates of title relating to the Financed Vehicles, and
the Receivables and such certificates of title will be delivered to and held in
physical custody by the Indenture Trustee. However, the Receivables will not be
marked or stamped to indicate that they have been sold to the Trust, and the
certificates of title to the Financed Vehicles will not be endorsed or otherwise
amended to identify the Trust or the Indenture Trustee as the new secured party.
In the absence of amendments to the certificates of title, the Indenture Trustee
may not have perfected security interests in the Financed Vehicles securing the
Receivables originated in some states. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables" in the Prospectus.
 
     The Trust will initially be capitalized by the Seller with equity equal to
$10 and Certificates with an aggregate original principal balance of
$4,807,160.19 will initially be retained by the Seller. The Trust will issue the
Notes and the Certificates to or at the direction of the Seller in exchange for
the Receivables and the other Trust Assets. The Seller will use the proceeds of
the initial sale of the Notes to purchase the Receivables from the Originators
and to fund the Initial Spread Account Deposit. The Trust will not acquire any
assets other than the Trust Assets, and it is not anticipated that the Trust
will have any need for additional capital resources. Because the Trust will have
no operating history upon its establishment and will not engage in any business
other than acquiring and holding the Trust Assets, issuing the Securities and
distributing payments on the Securities, no historical or pro forma financial
statements or ratios of earnings to fixed charges with respect to the Trust have
been included herein.
 
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
 
     Bankers Trust (Delaware), a Delaware banking corporation, is the Owner
Trustee under the Trust Agreement. The principal offices of the Owner Trustee
are located at 1011 Centre Road, Suite 200, Wilmington, Delaware 19805-1266. The
Owner Trustee will perform limited administrative functions under the Trust
Agreement. The Owner Trustee's duties in connection with the issuance and sale
of the Securities is limited solely to the express obligations of the Owner
Trustee set forth in the Trust Agreement and the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
 
     Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national banking
association, is the Indenture Trustee under the Indenture. The principal offices
of the Indenture Trustee are located at Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-1054. The Indenture Trustee's duties in connection
with the Notes are limited solely to its express obligations under the Indenture
and the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
                                THE TRUST ASSETS
 
     The Trust Assets include retail installment sale contracts on used and new
automobiles, light trucks, vans and minivans between dealers (the "Dealers"),
IFCs or Deposit Institutions and retail purchasers (the "Obligors") and certain
monies received thereunder after the Cutoff Date. The Receivables were
originated by the Dealers, IFCs or Deposit Institutions for assignment to CPS,
Samco or Linc. Pursuant to agreements between the Dealers and CPS ("Dealer
Agreements") or between the IFCs or Deposit Institutions and an Affiliated
Originator, the Receivables were purchased by CPS, Samco or Linc and, prior to
the Closing Date, evidenced financing made available by CPS, Samco or Linc to
the Obligors. The Trust Assets also include (i) such amounts as from time to
time may be held in one or more trust accounts established and maintained by the
Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, as described
below; see "Description of the Trust Documents --Accounts" in this Prospectus
Supplement; (ii) the rights of the Seller under the Purchase Agreements; (iii)
security interests in the Financed Vehicles; (v) the rights of CPS, Samco and
Linc to receive any proceeds with respect to the Receivables from claims on
physical damage, credit life and credit accident and health insurance policies
covering the Financed
 
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Vehicles or the Obligors, as the case may be; (vi) the rights of the Seller to
refunds for the costs of extended service contracts and to refunds of unearned
premiums with respect to credit life and credit accident and health insurance
policies covering the Financed Vehicles or Obligors, as the case may be; and
(vii) any and all proceeds of the foregoing. In addition, the Seller will cause
the Insurer to issue the Policy for the benefit of the Noteholders.
 
                      CPS'S AUTOMOBILE CONTRACT PORTFOLIO
 
GENERAL
 
     CPS was incorporated in the State of California on March 8, 1991. CPS and
its subsidiaries engage primarily in the business of purchasing, selling and
servicing retail automobile installment sales contracts ("Contracts") originated
by Dealers located primarily in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Illinois and Nevada. CPS specializes in Contracts with borrowers ("Sub-Prime
Borrowers") who generally would not be expected to qualify for traditional
financing such as that provided by commercial banks or automobile manufacturers'
captive finance companies. Sub-Prime Borrowers generally have limited credit
history, lower than average income or past credit problems.
 
     On October 1, 1991, CPS began its program of purchasing Contracts from
Dealers and selling them to institutional investors. Through June 30, 1998, CPS
had purchased $1.95 billion of Contracts from Dealers and sold $1.68 billion of
Contracts to institutional investors. CPS continues to service all of the
Contracts it has purchased, including those it has re-sold.
 
     CPS has relationships and is party to Dealer Agreements with over 4,000
dealerships located in 42 states of the United States. CPS purchases Contracts
from Dealers for a fee ranging from $0 to $1,395. A Dealer Agreement does not
obligate a Dealer to submit Contracts for purchase by CPS, nor does it obligate
CPS to purchase Contracts offered by the Dealers.
 
     CPS purchases Contracts from Dealers with the intent to resell them. CPS
also purchases Contracts from third parties that have been originated by others.
Prior to the issuance of the Notes, Contracts have been sold to institutional
investors either as bulk sales or as private placements or public offerings of
securities collateralized by the Contracts. Purchasers of the Contracts receive
a pass-through rate of interest set at the time of the sale, and CPS receives a
base servicing fee for its duties relating to the accounting for and collection
of the Contracts. In addition, CPS is entitled to certain excess servicing fees
that represent collections on the Contracts, such as certain late fees,
prepayment charges and other administrative fees and similar charges in excess
of those required to pay principal and interest due to the investor and the base
servicing fee to CPS. Generally, CPS sells the Contracts to such institutional
investors at face value and without recourse except that the representations and
warranties made to CPS by the Dealers are similarly made to the investors by
CPS. CPS has some credit risk with respect to the excess servicing fees it
receives in connection with the sale of Contracts to investors and its continued
servicing function since the receipt by CPS of such excess servicing fees is
dependent upon the credit performance of, and prepayments under, the Contracts.
 
     The principal executive offices of CPS are located at 2 Ada, Irvine,
California 92718. CPS's telephone number is (714) 753-6800.
 
     Samco employees call on IFCs primarily in the southeastern United States
and present them with financing programs that are essentially identical to those
which CPS markets directly to Dealers through its marketing representatives. CPS
believes that a typical rural IFC has relationships with many local automobile
purchasers as well as Dealers but, because of limitations of financial resources
or capital structure, such IFCs generally are unable to provide 36, 48 or 60
month financing for an automobile. IFCs may offer Samco's financing programs to
borrowers directly or indirectly through local dealers. Samco purchases
contracts from the IFCs after Samco's credit personnel have performed all of the
same underwriting and verification procedures and have applied all the same
credit criteria that CPS performs and applies for Contracts that CPS purchases
from Dealers. Samco purchases Contracts at a discount ranging from 0% to 8% of
the total amount financed under such Contracts. In addition, Samco generally
charges IFCs an acquisition fee to defray the direct administrative costs
associated with the processing of Contracts that are ultimately purchased by
Samco. Servicing and collection procedures on Contracts owned by Samco are
performed by CPS at its headquarters in Irvine, California. For the year ended
 
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December 31, 1997, Samco purchased 2,306 Contracts with original balances
totaling $26.2 million. In the six months ended June 30, 1998, Samco purchased
2,787 Contracts with original balances totaling $32.7 million.
 
     In May 1996, CPS formed Linc, an 80 percent-owned subsidiary based in
Norwalk, Connecticut. Linc's business plan is to provide CPS's sub-prime auto
finance products to deposit institutions such as banks, thrifts and credit
unions ("Deposit Institutions"). CPS believes that such Deposit Institutions do
not generally make loans to sub-prime borrowers even though they may have
relationships with automobile dealers who sell vehicles to sub-prime borrowers
and may have sub-prime borrowers as deposit customers.
 
     Linc's employees call on various Deposit Institutions and present them with
a financing program that is similar to CPS's Alpha Program (as defined below).
The Linc program is intended to result in a slightly more creditworthy borrower
than CPS's Standard Program by requiring slightly higher income and lower
debt-to-income ratios than CPS requires under its Standard Program. Linc's
customers may offer its financing program to borrowers directly or to local
Dealers. Linc typically purchases Contracts at par, without a fee to the Deposit
Institution. Servicing and collection procedures on Contracts are performed
entirely by CPS using the same personnel, procedures and systems as CPS uses for
its own programs. For the year ended December 31, 1997, Linc purchased 678
Contracts with original balances totaling $8.9 million. In the six months ended
June 30, 1998, Linc purchased 902 Contracts with original balances totaling
$11.9 million.
 
UNDERWRITING
 
     CPS markets its services to Dealers under five programs: the CPS Standard
Program (the "Standard Program"), the CPS First Time Buyer Program (the "First
Time Buyer Program"), the CPS Alpha Program (the "Alpha Program"), the CPS Delta
Program (the "Delta Program") and the CPS Super Alpha Program (the "Super Alpha
Program"). In addition, Samco offers IFCs essentially the same programs that CPS
offers to Dealers, while Linc offers only its program (the "Linc Program") to
Deposit Institutions. CPS applies underwriting standards in purchasing loans on
new and used vehicles from Dealers based upon the particular program under which
the loan was submitted for purchase. The Alpha Program guidelines are designed
to accommodate applicants who meet all the requirements of the Standard Program
and exceed such requirements in respect of job stability, residence stability,
income level or the nature of the credit history. The Linc Program guidelines
are designed for applicants with slightly better credit than applicants under
the Alpha Program and include requirements such as higher income and lower debt
ratio as compared to the Alpha Program guidelines. The Delta Program guidelines
are designed to accommodate applicants who may not meet all of the requirements
of the Standard Program but who are deemed by CPS to be generally as
creditworthy as Standard Program applicants. The First Time Buyer Program
guidelines are designed to accommodate applicants who have not previously had
significant credit. Applicants under the First Time Buyer Program must meet all
the requirements of the Standard Program, as well as slightly higher income and
down payment requirements. The Super Alpha Program guidelines are more stringent
than any other CPS program in categories such as advance rate, age of
collateral, credit history and stability. CPS uses the degree of the applicant's
creditworthiness and the collateral value of the financed vehicle as the basic
criteria in determining whether to purchase an installment sales contract from a
Dealer. Each credit application provides current information regarding the
applicant's employment and residence history, bank account information, debts,
credit references, and other factors that bear on an applicant's
creditworthiness. Upon receiving from the Dealer the completed application of a
prospective purchaser and a one-page Dealer summary of the proposed financing,
generally by facsimile copy, CPS obtains a credit report compiling credit
information on the applicant from three credit bureaus. The credit report
summarizes the applicant's credit history and paying habits, including such
information as open accounts, delinquent payments, bankruptcy, repossessions,
lawsuits and judgments. At this point a CPS loan officer will review the credit
application, Dealer summary and credit report and will either conditionally
approve or reject the application. Such conditional approval or rejection by the
loan officer usually occurs within one business day of receipt of the credit
application. The loan officer determines the conditions to his or her approval
of a credit application based on many factors such as the applicant's
residential situation, down payment, and collateral value with regard to the
loan, employment history, monthly income level, household debt ratio and the
applicant's credit history. Based
 
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on the stipulations of the loan officer, the Dealer and the applicant compile a
more complete application package which is forwarded to CPS and reviewed by a
processor for deficiencies. As part of this review, references are checked,
direct calls are made to the applicant and employment income and residence
verification is done. Upon the completion of his or her review, the processor
forwards the application package to an underwriter for further review. The
underwriter will confirm the satisfaction of any remaining deficiencies in the
application package. Finally, before the loan is funded, the application package
is checked for deficiencies again by a loan review officer. CPS conditionally
approves approximately 50% of the credit applications it receives and ultimately
purchases approximately 11% of the received applications.
 
     CPS has purchased portfolios of Contracts in bulk from other companies that
had previously purchased the Contracts from Dealers. From July 1, 1994 to July
31, 1995, CPS made four such bulk purchases aggregating approximately $22.9
million. In considering bulk purchases, CPS carefully evaluates the credit
profile and payment history of each portfolio and negotiates the purchase price
accordingly. The credit profiles of the Contracts in each of the portfolios
purchased are consistent with the underwriting standards used by CPS in its
normal course of business. Bulk purchases were made at a purchase price
approximately equal to a 7.0% discount from the aggregate principal balance of
the Contracts. CPS has not purchased any portfolios of Contracts in bulk since
July 31, 1995, but may consider doing so in the future.
 
     Generally, the amount funded by CPS will not exceed, in the case of new
cars, 110% of the dealer invoice plus taxes, license fees, insurance and the
cost of the service contract, and in the case of used cars, 115% of the value
quoted in industry-accepted used car guides (such as the Kelley Wholesale Blue
Book) plus the same additions as are allowed for new cars. The maximum amount
that will be financed on any vehicle generally will not exceed $25,000. The
maximum term of the Contract depends primarily on the age of the vehicle and its
mileage. Vehicles having in excess of 80,000 miles will not be financed.
 
     The minimum down payment required on the purchase of a vehicle is generally
10% to 15% of the purchase price. The down payment may be made in cash, and/or
with a trade-in car and, if available, a proven manufacturer's rebate. The cash
and trade-in value must equal at least 50% of the minimum down payment required,
with the proven manufacturer's rebate constituting the remainder of the down
payment. CPS believes that the relatively high down payment requirement will
result in higher collateral values as a percentage of the amount financed and
the selection of buyers with stronger commitment to the vehicle.
 
     Prior to purchasing any Contract, CPS verifies that the Obligor has
arranged for casualty insurance by reviewing documentary evidence of the policy
or by contacting the insurance company or agent. The policy must indicate that
CPS is the lien holder and loss payee. The insurance company's name and policy
expiration date are recorded in CPS's computerized system for ongoing
monitoring.
 
     As loss payee, CPS receives all correspondence relevant to renewals or
cancellations on the policy. Information from all such correspondence is updated
to CPS's computerized records. In the event that a policy reaches its expiration
date without a renewal, or if CPS receives a notice that the policy has been
canceled prior to its expiration date, a letter is generated to advise the
borrower of its obligation to continue to provide insurance. If no action is
taken by the borrower to insure the vehicle, two successive and more forceful
letters are generated, after which the collection department will contact the
borrower telephonically to further counsel the borrower, including possibly
advising them that CPS has the right to repossess the vehicle if the borrower
refuses to obtain insurance. Although it has the right, CPS rarely repossesses
vehicles in such circumstances. In addition, CPS does not force place a policy
and add the premium to the borrower's outstanding obligation, although it also
has the right to do so. Rather in such circumstances the account is flagged as
not having insurance and continuing efforts are made to get the Obligor to
comply with the insurance requirement in the Contract. CPS believes that
handling non-compliance with insurance requirements in this manner ultimately
results in better portfolio performance because it believes that the increased
monthly payment obligation of the borrower which would result from force placing
insurance and adding the premium to the borrower's outstanding obligation would
increase the likelihood of delinquency or default by such borrower on future
monthly payments.
 
     Samco offers to IFCs financing programs which are essentially identical to
those offered by CPS. The IFCs may offer Samco's financing programs to borrowers
directly or indirectly through local Dealers. Upon submission of applications to
Samco, Samco credit personnel, who have been trained by CPS, use
 
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CPS's proprietary systems to evaluate the borrower and the proposed Contract
terms. Samco purchases Contracts from the IFC after its credit personnel have
performed all of the underwriting and verification procedures and have applied
all the same credit criteria that CPS performs and applies for Contracts it
purchases from Dealers. Prior to CPS purchasing a Contract from Samco, CPS
personnel perform procedures intended to verify that such Contract has been
underwritten and originated in conformity with the requirements applied by CPS
with respect to Contracts acquired by it directly from Dealers.
 
     Linc offers to Deposit Institutions financing programs which are similar to
CPS's Alpha Program. Unlike Samco, which has employees who evaluate applications
and make decisions to purchase Contracts, applications for Contracts to be
purchased by Linc are submitted by the Deposit Institution directly to CPS,
where the approval, underwriting and purchase procedures are performed by CPS
staff who work with Linc as well as with the Dealers to which CPS markets its
programs.
 
SERVICING AND COLLECTIONS
 
     CPS's servicing activities, both with respect to portfolios of Contracts
sold by it to investors and with respect to portfolios of other receivables
owned or originated by third parties, consist of collecting, accounting for and
posting of all payments received with respect to such Contracts or other
receivables, responding to borrower inquiries, taking steps to maintain the
security interest granted in the Financed Vehicle or other collateral,
investigating delinquencies, communicating with the borrower, repossessing and
liquidating collateral when necessary, and generally monitoring each Contract or
other receivable and related collateral. CPS maintains sophisticated data
processing and management information systems to support its Contract and other
receivable servicing activities.
 
     Upon the sale of a portfolio of Contracts to an investor, or upon the
engagement of CPS by another receivable portfolio owner for CPS's services, CPS
mails to borrowers monthly billing statements directing them to mail payments on
the Contracts or other receivables to a lock-box account which is unique for
each investor or portfolio owner. CPS engages an independent lock-box processing
agent to retrieve and process payments received in the lock-box account. This
results in a daily deposit to the investor or portfolio owner's account of the
day's lock-box account receipts and a simultaneous electronic data transfer to
CPS of the borrower payment data for posting to CPS's computerized records.
Pursuant to the various servicing agreements with each investor or portfolio
owner, CPS is required to deliver monthly reports reflecting all transaction
activity with respect to the Contracts or other receivables.
 
     If an account becomes six days past due, CPS's collection staff typically
attempts to contact the borrower with the aid of a high-penetration auto-dialing
computer. A collection officer tries to establish contact with the customer and
obtain a promise by the customer to make the overdue payment within seven days.
If payment is not received by the end of such seven-day period, the customer is
called again through the auto dialer system and the collection officer attempts
to elicit a second promise to make the overdue payment within seven days. If a
second promise to make the overdue payment is not satisfied, the account
automatically is referred to a supervisor for further action. In most cases, if
payment is not received by the tenth day after the due date, a late fee of
approximately 5% of the delinquent payment is imposed. If the customer cannot be
reached by a collection officer, a letter is automatically generated and the
customer's references are contacted. Field agents (who are independent
contractors) often make calls on customers who are unreachable or whose payment
is thirty days or more delinquent. A decision to repossess the vehicle is
generally made after 30 to 90 days of delinquency or three unfulfilled promises
to make the overdue payment. Other than granting such limited extensions as are
described under the heading "Description of the Trust Documents--Servicing
Procedures" in the Prospectus, CPS does not modify or rewrite delinquent
Contracts.
 
     On April 1, 1997 CPS established a satellite collection facility in
Chesapeake, Virginia. The 16,000 square foot facility was opened with 35 staff
dedicated solely to collections. As of June 30, 1998 the Chesapeake facility had
more than 120 collectors. The Chesapeake facility is on-line with CPS's
automated collection system at its headquarters in Irvine, California.
Chesapeake staff have been trained by Irvine collection management personnel at
both the Chesapeake facility and at CPS's headquarters. Irvine collection
management has the ability to allocate the collection workload between the two
facilities as well as monitor the effectiveness of the collection effort by
office and individual collector. CPS expects to add resources to both collection
locations as its servicing portfolio grows.
 
                                      S-24

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

     Servicing and collection procedures on Contracts owned by Samco and Linc
are performed by CPS at its headquarters in Irvine, California and at its
Chesapeake, Virginia collection facility. However, Samco may solicit aid from
the related IFC in collecting past due accounts with respect to which
repossession may be considered.
 
DELINQUENCY AND LOSS EXPERIENCE
 
     Set forth on the following page is certain information concerning the
experience of CPS pertaining to retail new and used automobile, light truck, van
and minivan receivables, including those previously sold, which CPS continues to
service. Contracts were first originated under the Delta Program in August 1994,
under the Alpha Program in April 1995, under the Linc Program in December 1996
and under the Super Alpha Program in December 1997. CPS has found that the
delinquency and net credit loss and repossession experience with respect to the
Delta Program is somewhat higher than under its Standard Program. CPS has found
that the delinquency and net credit loss and repossession experience with
respect to the Alpha Program, the Linc Program and the Super Alpha Program is
somewhat lower than that experienced under the Standard Program. CPS has
purchased Contracts representing financing for first-time purchasers of
automobiles since the inception of its Contract purchasing activities in 1991.
Prior to the establishment of the First Time Buyer Program in July 1996, CPS
purchased such Contracts under its Standard Program guidelines. CPS expects that
the delinquency and net credit loss and repossession experience with respect to
loans originated under the First Time Buyer Program will be somewhat higher than
under the Standard Program. CPS began servicing Contracts originated by Samco in
March 1996 and Linc in November 1996. Although credit history on Samco's and
Linc's originations is limited, CPS expects that the delinquency and net credit
loss and repossession experience with respect to the Receivables originated by
Samco and Linc will be similar to that of CPS's existing portfolio. There can be
no assurance, however, that the delinquency and net credit loss and repossession
experience on the Receivables or any other isolated group of receivables from
the CPS portfolio would be comparable to CPS's experience as shown in the
following tables. In particular, the information in the tables has not been
adjusted to eliminate the effects of the significant growth in the size of CPS's
loan portfolio during the periods shown.

 
                                      S-25

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                       CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
                             DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            DECEMBER 31, 1994         DECEMBER 31, 1995         DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                         -----------------------   -----------------------   -----------------------
                                          NUMBER                    NUMBER                    NUMBER
                                         OF LOANS      AMOUNT      OF LOANS      AMOUNT      OF LOANS      AMOUNT
                                         --------   ------------   --------   ------------   --------   ------------
 
<S>                                      <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
Portfolio(1)...........................   14,235    $203,879,000    27,113    $355,965,000    47,187    $604,092,000
Period of Deliquency(2)................
      31-60............................      243       3,539,000       909      11,520,000     1,801      22,099,000
      61-90............................       68       1,091,000       203       2,654,000       724       9,068,000
      91+..............................       56         876,000       272       3,899,000       768       9,906,000
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
Total Delinquencies....................      367       5,506,000     1,384      18,073,000     3,293      41,073,000
Amount in Repossession(3)..............      271       3,759,000       834      10,151,000     1,168      14,563,000
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
Total Delinquencies and Amount in
  Repossession(4)......................      638    $  9,265,000     2,218    $ 28,224,000     4,461    $ 55,636,000
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
Delinquencies as a Percent of the
  Portfolio............................     2.58%           2.70%     5.10%           5.08%     6.98%           6.80%
Repo Inventory as Percent of the
  Portfolio............................     1.90%           1.84%     3.08%           2.85%     2.48%           2.41%
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
Total Delinquencies and Amount in
  Repossession as a Percent of
  Portfolio............................     4.48%           4.54%     8.18%           7.93%     9.45%           9.21%
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
                                          ------    ------------    ------    ------------    ------    ------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                       ----------------------         JUNE 30, 1997               JUNE 30, 1998
                                       NUMBER                   -------------------------   -------------------------
                                         OF                      NUMBER                      NUMBER
                                       LOANS       AMOUNT       OF LOANS       AMOUNT       OF LOANS       AMOUNT
                                       ------  --------------   --------   --------------   --------   --------------
<S>                                      <C>   <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>
Portfolio(1).........................  83,414  $1,031,573,000    63,053    $  789,769,000   118,846    $1,452,040,000
Period of Deliquency(2)..............  
      31-60..........................  3,092       36,609,000     1,969        23,688,000     2,540        29,454,000
      61-90..........................  1,243       15,303,000       851        10,693,000     1,103        13,368,000
      91+............................  1,393       17,869,000       819        10,560,000     1,097        13,330,000
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
Total Delinquencies..................  5,728       69,781,000     3,639        44,941,000     4,740        56,152,000
Amount in Repossession(3)............  1,977       24,463,000     1,293        12,561,000     2,646        29,126,000
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
Total Delinquencies and Amount in
  Repossession(4)....................  7,705   $   94,244,000     4,932    $   57,502,000     7,386    $   85,278,000
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
Delinquencies as a Percent of the
  Portfolio..........................   6.87%            6.76%     5.77%             5.69%     3.99%             3.87%
Repo Inventory as Percent of the
  Portfolio..........................   2.37%            2.37%     2.05%             1.59%     2.23%             2.01%
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
Total Delinquencies and Amount in
  Repossession as a Percent of
  Portfolio..........................   9.24%            9.14%     7.82%             7.28%     6.21%             5.87%
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
                                       ------  --------------    ------    --------------   --------   --------------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) All amounts and percentages are based on the full amount remaining to be
    repaid on each Contract, including, for Rule of 78s Contracts, any unearned
    finance charges. The information in the table represents all Contracts
    originated by CPS including sold Contracts CPS continues to service.
(2) CPS considers a Contract delinquent when an obligor fails to make at least
    90% of a contractually due payment by the due date. The period of
    delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past
    due.
(3) Amount in Repossession represents Financed Vehicles which have been
    repossessed but not yet liquidated.
(4) Amounts shown do not include Contracts which are less than 31 days
    delinquent.
 
                                      S-26

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                       CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
                    NET CREDIT LOSS/REPOSSESSION EXPERIENCE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    SIX MONTHS       SIX MONTHS
                                    YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED        ENDED            ENDED
                                   DECEMBER  31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,      JUNE 30,         JUNE 30,
                                       1994            1995            1996            1997            1997             1998
                                    -----------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Average Amount Outstanding
  During the Period(1)............  $98,916,991    $221,926,489    $395,404,669    $703,100,136    $597,924,905    $1,117,385,385
Average Number of Loans
  Outstanding During the Period...        9,171          20,809          36,998          65,189          55,361           102,426
Number of Repossessions...........          669           2,018           3,145           6,007           2,430             4,491
Gross Charge-Offs (2).............  $ 3,166,408    $ 11,658,461    $ 23,296,775    $ 46,649,521    $ 19,193,455    $   40,338,499
Recoveries (3)....................  $   347,519    $  1,028,378    $  2,969,143    $  5,534,823    $  2,568,783    $    4,544,769
Net Losses........................  $ 2,818,889    $ 10,630,083    $ 20,327,632    $ 41,114,698    $ 16,624,672    $   35,793,730
Annualized Repossessions as a
  Percentage of Average Number of
  Loans Outstanding...............         7.29%           9.70%           8.50%           9.21%           8.78%             8.77%
Annualized Net Losses as a
  Percentage of Average Amount
  Outstanding.....................         2.85%           4.79%           5.14%           5.85%           5.56%             6.41%
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) All amounts and percentages are based on the principal amount scheduled to
    be paid on each Contract. The information in the table represents all
    Contracts originated by CPS including sold Contracts which CPS continues to
    service.
 
(2) Delinquent Contracts for which the related Financed Vehicle has been
    repossessed are charged off no later than the end of the calendar quarter in
    which the Financed Vehicle was sold. The amount charged off is the remaining
    principal balance of the Contract, after the application of the net proceeds
    from the liquidation of the Financed Vehicle. With respect to delinquent
    Contracts for which the related Financed Vehicle has not been repossessed,
    the remaining principal balance thereof is charged off no later than the
    120th day after delinquency. In any case, amounts charged off do not include
    accrued and unpaid interest.
 
(3) Recoveries are reflected in the period in which they are realized and may
    pertain to charge offs from prior periods.
 
                                      S-27

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     LITIGATION. On June 30, 1997, CPS was served with summons and counterclaim
in the bankruptcy court for the Northern District of Illinois in connection with
the Chapter 13 bankruptcy of obligors Madeline and Darryl Brownlee, of Chicago,
Illinois. The obligors seek class-action treatment of their allegation that the
cost of an extended service contract on the automobile they purchased was
inadequately disclosed by Joe Cotton Ford of Carol Stream, Illinois, the
automobile dealer who sold them their car. The disclosure is alleged to be
violative of the Federal Truth in Lending Act and of Illinois consumer
protection statutes. The obligors' claim is directed against both the dealer for
making the allegedly improper disclosures and against CPS as holder of the
purchase contract. The relief sought is damages in an unspecified amount, plus
costs of suit and attorney's fees. The court has not yet ruled on the obligors'
request for class-action treatment.
 
     In another proceeding, arising out of efforts to collect a deficiency
balance from Joseph Barrios of Chicago, Illinois, the debtor has brought suit
against CPS alleging defects in the notice given upon repossession of the
vehicle. This lawsuit was filed on February 18, 1998 in the circuit court of
Cook County, Illinois. Barrios, represented by the same law firm as the Brownlee
obligors, seeks class-action treatment of his allegation that notice of a
fifteen day period to reinstate his Contract was misleading, in that it did not
refer to an alleged right to redeem collateral up to the date of sale. The
relief sought is damages in an unspecified amount, plus costs of suit and
attorney's fees. As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, CPS has not been
required to respond to this litigation and has not yet done so.
 
     Although the Receivables relating to the above litigation matters are not
included in the Receivables Pool, if the request for class action status is
granted in either case, Receivables in the Receivables Pool could become subject
to the litigation. Furthermore, the existence of such litigation, or an adverse
decision in such litigation, could encourage similar actions to be brought
involving Receivables in the Receivables Pool. If an Obligor has a claim against
the Trust as a result of a violation of law relating to a Receivable and such
claim materially and adversely affects the Trust's interest in such Receivable,
such a violation would constitute a breach of the representations and warranties
of CPS and would create an obligation of CPS to repurchase such Receivable
unless the breach is cured. In addition, CPS will be required to indemnify the
Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the Insurer, the Trust and the
Securityholders against all costs, losses, damages, claims and liabilities,
including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel which may be asserted against
or incurred by any of them as a result of a third party claim arising out of
events or facts giving rise to such breach. See "Description of the Trust
Documents--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     CPS intends to dispute the above-described litigation vigorously, and
believes that it has meritorious defenses to each claim made by those obligors.
Nevertheless, the outcome of any litigation is uncertain, and there is the
possibility that damages could be assessed against CPS in amounts that could be
material. It is management's opinion that the above-described litigation will
not have a material adverse effect on CPS's consolidated financial position,
results of operations or liquidity.
 
     LIQUIDITY OF CPS. As a result of the performance of the portfolio of
Contracts serviced by CPS, the Insurer has increased the amount required to be
on deposit in the Spread Account in respect of the Notes. In response to such
increase in required credit enhancement and certain other obligations, CPS has
implemented a plan to raise additional working capital. CPS believes that the
increased credit enhancement requirement will not have a material adverse effect
on its ability to perform its obligations under the Trust Documents or any
"insurance agreement" pursuant to which Financial Security has issued or issues
in the future a financial guaranty insurance policy in respect of securities
issued by a trust for which CPS is the Servicer however, no assurances can be
made to that effect.
 
                              THE RECEIVABLES POOL
 
     The pool of Receivables existing as of the Cutoff Date consists of
Contracts selected from the Originators' portfolio by several criteria,
including the following: each Receivable was originated, based on the billing
address of the Obligors, in the United States, has an original term of not more
than 60 months, provides for level monthly payments which fully amortize the
amount financed over the original term (except for the last payment, which may
be different from the level payment for various reasons, including late or early
payments during the term of the Contract), has a remaining maturity of 60 months
 
                                      S-28

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

or less as of the Cutoff Date, has an outstanding principal balance of not more
than $27,493 as of the Cutoff Date, is not more than 30 days past due as of the
Cutoff Date and has an annual percentage rate ("APR") of not less than 15.95%.
As of the date of each Obligor's application for the loan from which the related
Receivable arises, each Obligor (i) did not have any material past due credit
obligations or any repossessions or garnishments of property within one year
prior to the date of application, unless such amounts have been repaid or
discharged through bankruptcy, (ii) was not the subject of any bankruptcy or
insolvency proceeding that is not discharged, and (iii) had not been the subject
of more than one bankruptcy proceeding. As of the Cutoff Date, the latest
scheduled maturity of any Receivable is not later than July 11, 2003.
 
     As of the Cutoff Date, approximately 90.86% of the aggregate principal
balance of the Receivables, constituting 92.73% of the number of Contracts,
represents financing of used vehicles; the remainder of the Receivables
represent financing of new vehicles. As of the Cutoff Date, approximately 8.81%
of the aggregate principal balance of the Receivables were originated under the
Delta Program, approximately 49.96% of the aggregate principal balance of the
Receivables were originated under the Alpha Program, approximately 7.25% of the
aggregate principal balance of the Receivables were originated under the First
Time Buyer Program, approximately 31.14% of the aggregate principal balance of
the Receivables were originated under the Standard Program, approximately 1.78%
of the aggregate principal balance of the Receivables were originated under the
Linc Program and approximately 1.08% of the aggregate principal balance of the
Receivables were originated under the Super Alpha Program. As of the Cutoff
Date, approximately 5.35% of the aggregate principal balance of the Receivables
were Samco Receivables and approximately 1.78% of the aggregate principal
balance of the Receivables were Linc Receivables. The composition, geographic
distribution, distribution by APR, distribution by remaining term, distribution
by date of origination, distribution by original term, distribution by model
year and distribution by original principal balance of the Receivables as of the
Cutoff Date are set forth in the following tables.
 
              COMPOSITION OF THE RECEIVABLES AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    WEIGHTED            AGGREGATE           NUMBER OF          AVERAGE          WEIGHTED            WEIGHTED
  AVERAGE APR           PRINCIPAL          RECEIVABLES        PRINCIPAL         AVERAGE              AVERAGE
 OF RECEIVABLES          BALANCE             IN POOL           BALANCE       REMAINING TERM       ORIGINAL TERM
- ----------------     ---------------     ----------------     ---------     ----------------     ---------------
<S>                  <C>                 <C>                  <C>           <C>                  <C>
     20.447%         $240,339,160.19          18,847           $12,752          56.7 mos.           57.6 mos.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-29

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

        GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
                                           AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
              STATE(1)                 PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
             ---------                -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
Alabama.............................    $ 13,057,850.53              5.43%            1,040          5.52%
California..........................      45,656,756.59             19.00             3,384         17.96
Florida.............................      15,891,893.01              6.61             1,257          6.67
Georgia.............................       8,454,152.84              3.52               667          3.54
Hawaii..............................       3,366,102.89              1.40               279          1.48
Illinois............................      10,587,808.44              4.41               876          4.65
Indiana.............................       4,564,868.10              1.90               389          2.06
Kentucky............................       2,753,404.80              1.15               240          1.27
Louisiana...........................      12,982,914.54              5.40               996          5.28
Maryland............................       5,671,424.72              2.36               442          2.35
Michigan............................      11,233,838.04              4.67               884          4.69
Minnesota...........................       3,618,831.90              1.51               300          1.59
Mississippi.........................       3,914,194.66              1.63               309          1.64
Nevada..............................       4,098,905.63              1.71               332          1.76
New Jersey..........................       4,306,983.71              1.79               345          1.83
New York............................       7,524,218.52              3.13               621          3.29
North Carolina......................      15,420,378.26              6.42             1,157          6.14
Ohio................................       4,261,200.50              1.77               368          1.95
Pennsylvania........................      12,555,024.13              5.22             1,005          5.33
South Carolina......................       5,094,582.25              2.12               400          2.12
Tennessee...........................       7,759,040.05              3.23               642          3.41
Texas...............................      14,899,131.82              6.20             1,116          5.92
Virginia............................       3,494,795.71              1.45               264          1.40
Washington..........................       4,638,893.12              1.93               359          1.90
All Others(2).......................      14,531,965.43              6.05             1,175          6.23
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
     Total..........................    $240,339,160.19(3)         100.00%(4)        18,847        100.00%(4)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Based on billing address of Obligor.
 
(2) No other state represents a percentage of the aggregate Principal Balance as
    of the Cutoff Date in excess of one percent.
 
(3) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(4) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
 
                                      S-30

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

          DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY APR AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
                                           AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
           APR RANGE                   PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
          -----------                 -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
15.501% - 16.000%...................    $     22,723.78              0.01%                1          0.01%
16.001% - 16.500%...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
16.501% - 17.000%...................       5,341,017.90              2.22               354          1.88
17.001% - 17.500%...................       2,659,588.01              1.11               179          0.95
17.501% - 18.000%...................      31,427,137.70             13.08             2,232         11.84
18.001% - 18.500%...................       3,630,512.87              1.51               262          1.39
18.501% - 19.000%...................      32,992,606.85             13.73             2,314         12.28
19.001% - 19.500%...................         164,154.61              0.07                13          0.07
19.501% - 20.000%...................      24,980,158.16             10.39             1,803          9.57
20.001% - 20.500%...................      22,719,156.20              9.45             1,656          8.79
20.501% - 21.000%...................      66,778,742.74             27.79             5,502         29.19
21.001% - 21.500%...................       1,153,346.43              0.48               109          0.58
21.501% - 22.000%...................       8,843,205.83              3.68               729          3.87
22.001% - 22.500%...................          58,589.13              0.02                 5          0.03
22.501% - 23.000%...................      14,822,295.87              6.17             1,300          6.90
23.001% - 23.500%...................         237,273.07              0.10                23          0.12
23.501% - 24.000%...................      22,942,983.59              9.55             2,207         11.71
24.001% - 24.500%...................          86,680.83              0.04                 7          0.04
24.501% - 25.000%...................       1,159,432.58              0.48               114          0.60
25.001% - 25.500%...................          52,869.90              0.02                 6          0.03
25.501% - 26.000%...................          49,599.03              0.02                 6          0.03
26.001% - 26.500%...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
26.501% - 27.000%...................          27,127.24              0.01                 3          0.02
27.001% - 27.500%...................          19,094.52              0.01                 3          0.02
27.501% - 28.000%...................          25,263.28              0.01                 3          0.02
28.001% - 28.500%...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
28.501% - 29.000%...................          87,638.67              0.04                10          0.05
29.001% - 29.500%...................          13,981.22              0.01                 2          0.01
29.501% - 30.000%...................          43,980.18              0.02                 4          0.02
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
     Total..........................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
 
                                      S-31

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                DISTRIBUTION OF RECEIVABLES BY REMAINING TERM TO
 
                    SCHEDULED MATURITY AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
         REMAINING TERM TO                 AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
         SCHEDULED MATURITY            PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
         ------------------           -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
19-24 months........................    $    526,800.94              0.22%               92          0.49%
25-30 months........................       1,079,813.73              0.45               148          0.79
31-36 months........................       5,035,828.81              2.10               618          3.28
37-42 months........................       4,456,663.59              1.85               459          2.44
43-48 months........................      18,196,311.61              7.57             1,764          9.36
49-54 months........................      16,179,977.60              6.73             1,336          7.09
55-60 months........................     194,863,763.91             81.08            14,430         76.56
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
     Total..........................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.

 
                       DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY
                   DATE OF ORIGINATION AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
                                           AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
      DATE OF ORIGINATION              PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
      -------------------             -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
05/01/97-05/31/97...................    $      9,852.99              0.00%                1          0.01%
06/01/97-06/30/97...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
07/01/97-07/31/97...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
08/01/97-08/31/97...................          11,874.58              0.00                 1          0.01
09/01/97-09/30/97...................               0.00              0.00                 0          0.00
10/01/97-10/31/97...................          13,618.77              0.01                 1          0.01
11/01/97-11/30/97...................          69,901.86              0.03                 5          0.03
12/01/97-12/31/97...................          47,131.45              0.02                 4          0.02
01/01/98-01/31/98...................         173,535.01              0.07                15          0.08
02/01/98-02/28/98...................       1,206,455.35              0.50               105          0.56
03/01/98-03/31/98...................      14,900,346.53              6.20             1,213          6.44
04/01/98-04/30/98...................      72,988,797.63             30.37             5,746         30.49
05/01/98-05/31/98...................     103,040,145.31             42.87             8,042         42.67
06/01/98-06/30/98...................      47,877,500.71             19.92             3,714         19.71
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
     Total..........................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
 
                                      S-32

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                DISTRIBUTION OF RECEIVABLES BY ORIGINAL TERM TO
 
                    SCHEDULED MATURITY AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
          ORIGINAL TERM TO                 AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
         SCHEDULED MATURITY            PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
        --------------------          -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
19-24 months........................    $    526,800.94              0.22%               92          0.49%
25-30 months........................       1,075,262.30              0.45               147          0.78
31-36 months........................       5,037,244.09              2.10               618          3.28
37-42 months........................       4,443,044.82              1.85               458          2.43
43-48 months........................      18,165,357.54              7.56             1,762          9.35
49-54 months........................      16,092,435.72              6.70             1,329          7.05
55-60 months........................     194,999,014.78             81.13            14,441         76.62
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
Total...............................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.

 
       DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY MODEL YEAR OF FINANCED VEHICLE
                             AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
                                           AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
           MODEL YEAR                  PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
           ----------                 -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
 
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
1990................................    $    805,481.11              0.34%              107          0.57%
1991................................       2,193,352.33              0.91               279          1.48
1992................................       4,927,961.83              2.05               552          2.93
1993................................      11,868,728.42              4.94             1,181          6.27
1994................................      27,190,270.02             11.31             2,395         12.71
1995................................      62,817,398.47             26.14             5,018         26.62
1996................................      58,334,570.18             24.27             4,357         23.12
1997................................      48,008,903.02             19.98             3,461         18.36
1998................................      24,005,811.14              9.99             1,485          7.88
1999................................         186,683.67              0.08                12          0.06
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
Total...............................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
 
                                      S-33

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

           DISTRIBUTION OF RECEIVABLES BY ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL BALANCE
                             AS OF THE CUTOFF DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
         RANGE OF ORIGINAL                 AGGREGATE             AGGREGATE         NUMBER OF     NUMBER OF
         PRINCIPAL BALANCES            PRINCIPAL BALANCE     PRINCIPAL BALANCE    RECEIVABLES   RECEIVABLES
        -------------------           -------------------   -------------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>           <C>
$    0.01- 5,000.00.................    $    459,438.50              0.19%              107          0.57%
 5,000.01-10,000.00.................      32,629,597.54             13.58             3,908         20.74
10,000.01-15,000.00.................     129,105,357.88             53.72            10,452         55.46
15,000.01-20,000.00.................      59,016,155.82             24.56             3,502         18.58
20,000.01-25,000.00.................      18,282,424.08              7.61               845          4.48
25,000.01-30,000.00.................         846,186.37              0.35                33          0.18
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
     Total..........................    $240,339,160.19(1)         100.00%(2)        18,847        100.00%(2)
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
                                        ---------------           -------           -------       -------
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Balances may not add up to total because of rounding.
 
(2) Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
 
     As of the Cutoff Date, approximately 19.05% of the aggregate Principal
Balance of the Receivables in the Receivables Pool provide for allocation of
payments according to the "sum of periodic balances" or "sum of monthly
payments" method, similar to the "Rule of 78's" ("Rule of 78's Receivables") and
approximately 80.95% of the aggregate Principal Balance of the Receivables in
the Receivables Pool provide for allocation of payments according to the "simple
interest" method ("Simple Interest Receivables"). A Rule of 78's Receivable
provides for payment by the Obligor of a specified total amount of payments,
payable in equal monthly installments on each due date, which total represents
the principal amount financed and add-on interest in an amount calculated on the
basis of the stated APR for the term of the Receivable. The rate at which such
amount of add-on interest is earned and, correspondingly, the amount of each
fixed monthly payment allocated to reduction of the outstanding principal are
calculated in accordance with the "Rule of 78's". A Simple Interest Receivable
provides for the amortization of the amount financed under the Receivable over a
series of fixed level monthly payments. Each monthly payment consists of an
installment of interest which is calculated on the basis of the outstanding
principal balance of the Receivable multiplied by the stated APR and further
multiplied by the period elapsed (as a fraction of a calendar year) since the
preceding payment of interest was made. As payments are received under a Simple
Interest Receivable, the amount received is applied first to interest accrued to
the date of payment and the balance is applied to reduce the unpaid principal
balance. Accordingly, if an Obligor pays a fixed monthly installment before its
scheduled due date, the portion of the payment allocable to interest for the
period since the preceding payment was made will be less than it would have been
had the payment been made as scheduled, and the portion of the payment applied
to reduce the unpaid principal balance will be correspondingly greater.
Conversely, if an Obligor pays a fixed monthly installment after its scheduled
due date, the portion of the payment allocable to interest for the period since
the preceding payment was made will be greater than it would have been had the
payment been made as scheduled, and the portion of the payment applied to reduce
the unpaid principal balance will be correspondingly less. In either case, the
Obligor pays a fixed monthly installment until the final scheduled payment date,
at which time the amount of the final installment is increased or decreased as
necessary to repay the then outstanding principal balance.
 
     In the event of the prepayment in full (voluntarily or by acceleration) of
a Rule of 78's Receivable, under the terms of the contract, a "refund" or
"rebate" will be made to the Obligor of the portion of the total amount of
payments then due and payable under the contract allocable to "unearned" add-on
interest, calculated in accordance with a method equivalent to the Rule of 78's.
If a Simple Interest Receivable is prepaid, instead of receiving a rebate, the
Obligor is required to pay interest only to the date of prepayment. The amount
of a rebate under a Rule of 78's Receivable generally will be less than the
 
                                      S-34

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

remaining Scheduled Receivable Payments (as defined herein) of interest that
would have been due under a Simple Interest Receivable for which all payments
were made on schedule.
 
     The Trust will account for the Rule of 78's Receivables as if such
Receivables provided for amortization of the loan over a series of fixed level
payment monthly installments ("Actuarial Receivables"). Amounts received upon
prepayment in full of a Rule of 78's Receivable in excess of the then
outstanding Principal Balance of such Receivable and accrued interest thereon
(calculated pursuant to the actuarial method) will not be passed through to
Noteholders but will be paid to the Servicer as additional servicing
compensation.
 
                              YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
 
     All of the Receivables are prepayable at any time without charge. (For this
purpose "prepayments" include prepayments in full, liquidations due to default,
as well as receipts of proceeds from physical damage, credit life and credit
accident and health insurance policies and certain other Receivables repurchased
for administrative reasons.) The rate of prepayments on the Receivables may be
influenced by a variety of economic, social, and other factors, including the
fact that an Obligor generally may not sell or transfer the Financed Vehicle
securing a Receivable without the consent of CPS. In addition, the rate of
prepayments on the Receivables may be affected by the nature of the Obligors and
the Financed Vehicles and servicing decisions. See "Risk Factors--Nature of
Obligors; Servicing" in this Prospectus Supplement. Any reinvestment risks
resulting from a faster or slower incidence of prepayment of Receivables will be
borne entirely by the Noteholders and Certificateholders. See also "Description
of the Securities--Optional Redemption" in this Prospectus Supplement regarding
the Servicer's option to purchase the Receivables and redeem the Notes when the
aggregate Principal Balance of the Receivables is less than or equal to 10% or
less of the Original Pool Balance. See also "Description of the
Securities--Mandatory Redemption" in this Prospectus Supplement regarding the
acceleration of the Notes after the occurrence of an Event of Default.
 
                       POOL FACTORS AND OTHER INFORMATION
 
     The "Pool Balance" at any time represents the aggregate principal balance
of the Receivables at the end of the preceding Collection Period, after giving
effect to all payments received from Obligors with respect to such Collection
Period, all payments and Purchase Amounts (as defined herein) remitted by CPS or
the Servicer, as the case may be, for such Collection Period, all losses
realized on Receivables liquidated during such Collection Period and any Cram
Down Losses with respect to such Receivables. The Pool Balance is computed by
allocating payments to principal and to interest, with respect to Rule of 78's
Receivables, using the constant yield or actuarial method, and with respect to
Simple Interest Receivables, using the simple interest method. The "Class A-1
Pool Factor" is a seven digit decimal which the Servicer will compute each month
indicating the principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes as a fraction of the
initial principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes. The Class A-1 Pool Factor will
be 1.0000000 as of the Closing Date; thereafter, the Class A-1 Pool Factor will
decline to reflect reductions in the principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes.
An individual Class A-1 Noteholder's share of the principal balance of the Class
A-1 Notes is the product of (i) the original denomination of the Noteholder's
Note and (ii) the Class A-1 Pool Factor. The "Class A-2 Pool Factor" is a
seven-digit decimal which the Servicer will compute each month indicating the
principal balance of the Class A-2 Notes as a fraction of the initial principal
balance of the Class A-2 Notes. The Class A-2 Pool Factor will be 1.0000000 as
of the Closing Date; thereafter, the Class A-2 Pool Factor will decline to
reflect reductions in the principal balance of the Class A-2 Notes. An
individual Class A-2 Noteholder's share of the principal balance of the Class
A-2 Notes is the product of (i) the original denomination of the Noteholder's
Note and (ii) the Class A-2 Pool Factor. The "Class A-3 Pool Factor" is a seven
digit decimal which the Servicer will compute each month indicating the
principal balance of the Class A-3 Notes as a fraction of the initial principal
balance of the Class A-3 Notes. The Class A-3 Pool Factor will be 1.0000000 as
of the Closing Date; thereafter, the Class A-3 Pool Factor will decline to
reflect reductions in the principal balance of the Class A-3 Notes. An
individual Class A-3 Noteholder's share of the principal balance of the Class
A-3 Notes is the product of (i) the original denomination of the Noteholder's
Note and (ii) the Class A-3 Pool Factor. The "Class A-4 Pool Factor" is a seven
digit decimal which the Servicer will compute each month indicating the
principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes as a fraction of the initial principal
balance of the Class A-4 Notes. The
 
                                      S-35

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

Class A-4 Pool Factor will be 1.0000000 as of the Closing Date; thereafter, the
Class A-4 Pool Factor will decline to reflect reductions in the principal
balance of the Class A-4 Notes. An individual Class A-4 Noteholder's share of
the principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes is the product of (i) the original
denomination of the Noteholder's Note and (ii) the Class A-4 Pool Factor.
 
     Pursuant to the Indenture, the Noteholders will receive monthly reports
concerning the payments received on the Receivables, the Pool Balance, the Pool
Factors and various other items of information. Noteholders of record during any
calendar year will be furnished information for tax reporting purposes not later
than the latest date permitted by law. See "Description of the Trust
Documents--Statements to Noteholders" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Seller from the sale of the Notes
will be applied to the purchase of the CPS Receivables from CPS, the Samco
Receivables from Samco and the Linc Receivables from Linc. CPS, Samco and Linc
will apply the net proceeds received from the Seller to purchase new Contracts
or to repay debt incurred to purchase the Contracts.
 
                        THE SELLER, CPS, SAMCO AND LINC
 
     The Seller is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPS. The Seller was incorporated
in the State of California in June of 1994. The Seller was organized for the
limited purpose of purchasing automobile installment sale contracts from CPS and
its subsidiaries and transferring such receivables to third parties and any
activities incidental to and necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of
such purposes. The principal executive offices of the Seller are located at 2
Ada, Irvine, California 92718; telephone (714) 753-6800.
 
     In March 1996, CPS formed Samco, an 80 percent-owned subsidiary based in
Dallas, Texas. Samco's business plan is to provide CPS's sub-prime auto finance
products to rural areas through IFCs. CPS believes that many rural areas are not
adequately served by other industry participants due to their distance from
large metropolitan areas where a Dealer marketing representative is most likely
to be based. The principal executive offices of Samco are located at 8150 N.
Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75206; telephone (800) 544-8802.
 
     In May 1996, CPS formed Linc, an 80 percent-owned subsidiary based in
Norwalk, Connecticut. Linc's business plan is to provide sub-prime auto finance
products to deposit institutions such as banks, thrifts and credit unions. CPS
believes that such institutions do not generally make loans to sub-prime
borrowers even though they may have relationships with automobile dealers who
sell vehicles to sub-prime borrowers and may have sub-prime borrowers as deposit
customers. The principal executive offices of Linc are located at One Selleck
Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06855; telephone (203) 831-8300. For further
information regarding the Seller and CPS, see "The Seller and CPS" in the
Prospectus.
 
                              THE STANDBY SERVICER
 
     If CPS is terminated or resigns as Servicer, Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association (in such capacity, the "Standby Servicer") will serve as
successor Servicer. The Standby Servicer will receive a fee on each Payment Date
for agreeing to stand by as successor Servicer and for performing certain other
functions. Such fee will be payable to the Standby Servicer from the Servicing
Fee payable to CPS. If the Standby Servicer, or any other entity serving at the
time as Standby Servicer, becomes the successor Servicer, it will receive
compensation at a Servicing Fee Rate which shall (i) reflect current market
practice with respect to compensation of servicers of receivables comparable to
the Receivables and (ii) not exceed 3.0% per annum.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
GENERAL
 
     The Notes will be issued pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, and the
Certificates will be issued pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, forms
of each of which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
 
                                      S-36

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

     The Notes initially will be represented by notes registered in the name of
Cede as the nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), and will only be
available in the form of book-entries on the records of DTC and participating
members thereof in denominations of $1,000. All references to "holders" or
"Noteholders" and to authorized denominations, when used with respect to the
Notes, shall reflect the rights of beneficial owners of the Notes ("Note
Owners"), and limitations thereof, as they may be indirectly exercised through
DTC and its participating members, except as otherwise specified herein. See
"Registration of Notes" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
PAYMENT OF INTEREST
 
     On each Payment Date, the holders of record of the Class A-1 Notes (the
"Class A-1 Noteholders") as of the related Record Date will be entitled to
receive, pro rata, interest for the applicable Class A-1 Interest Period at the
Class A-1 Interest Rate, on the outstanding principal balance of the Class A-1
Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date. On each Payment Date, the
holders of record of the Class A-2 Notes (the "Class A-2 Noteholders") as of the
related Record Date will be entitled to receive, pro rata, thirty (30) days of
interest at the Class A-2 Interest Rate on the outstanding principal amount of
the Class A-2 Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date. On each
Payment Date, the holders of record of the Class A-3 Notes (the "Class A-3
Noteholders") as of the related Record Date will be entitled to receive, pro
rata, thirty (30) days of interest at the Class A-3 Interest Rate, on the
outstanding principal balance of the Class A-3 Notes as of the close of the
preceding Payment Date. On each Payment Date, the holders of record of the Class
A-4 Notes (the "Class A-4 Noteholders") as of the related Record Date will be
entitled to receive, pro rata, thirty (30) days of interest at the Class A-4
Interest Rate, on the outstanding principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes as of
the close of the preceding Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the
initial Payment Date, the interest payable to the Noteholders of record of each
class of Notes will be an amount equal to the product of (a) the Interest Rate
applicable to such class of Notes, (b) the initial principal amount of such
class of Notes and (c) a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of
days from and including the Closing Date to and including August 14, 1998
(assuming, in the case of the Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the Class
A-4 Notes, that there are 30 days in each month of the year) and (ii) the
denominator of which is 360. Interest on the Notes which is due but not paid on
any Payment Date will be payable on the next Payment Date together with, to the
extent permitted by law, interest on such unpaid amount at the applicable
Interest Rate. See "Description of the Trust Documents--Distributions" in this
Prospectus Supplement.
 
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL
 
     Principal of the Notes will be payable on each Payment Date in an amount
equal to the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount for the related
Collection Period. The "Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount" is
equal to the Class A Noteholders' Percentage (as of each Payment Date)
multiplied by the Principal Distributable Amount. The Noteholders also will be
entitled to receive on each Payment Date any unpaid portion of the Class A
Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount with respect to a prior Payment
Date. In addition to the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount, on
each Payment Date on which the principal balance of the Notes (after giving
effect to the payment of the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount
on such Payment Date) exceeds the Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date,
the Noteholders will be entitled to receive, as an additional payment of
principal, the lesser of (x) the portion of the Total Distribution Amount
remaining after application thereof to pay the amounts described in clauses (i)
through (ix) under "Description of the Trust Documents--Distributions--Priority
of Distribution Amounts" and (y) the amount by which the outstanding principal
balance of the Notes exceeds the Class A Target Amount.
 
     On each Payment Date, the amounts distributed on account of the Class A
Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will be applied, sequentially, to
pay principal of the Class A-1 Notes until the principal balance of the Class
A-1 Notes has been reduced to zero, then to the holders of the Class A-2 Notes
until the principal balance of the Class A-2 Notes has been reduced to zero,
then to the holders of the Class A-3 Notes until the principal balance of the
Class A-3 Notes has been reduced to zero, and then to the holders of the Class
A-4 Notes until the principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes has been reduced to
zero.
 
                                      S-37

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and so long as an Insurer
Default shall not have occurred and be continuing, the Notes shall become due
and payable at par with accrued interest thereon, the Insurer will have the
right, but not the obligation, to cause the Indenture Trustee to liquidate the
Trust Assets, in whole or in part, on any date or dates following the
acceleration of the Notes due to such Event of Default, and to distribute the
proceeds of such liquidation in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Following the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Indenture Trustee will
continue to submit claims as necessary under the Policy for any shortfalls in
the Scheduled Payments on the Notes, except that the Insurer, in its sole
discretion, may elect to pay all or any portion of the outstanding amount of the
Notes in excess thereof, plus accrued interest thereon. The Policy does not
guarantee payments of any amounts that become due on an accelerated basis,
unless the Insurer elects, in its sole discretion to pay such amounts in whole
or in part. See "Description of the Trust Documents--Events of Default" and "The
Policy" herein.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     In order to avoid excessive administrative expense, the Servicer, or its
successor, is permitted at its option to purchase all remaining Receivables from
the Trust (with the consent of the Insurer if such purchase and redemption would
result in a claim under the Policy or any amount owing to the Insurer or on the
Notes would remain unpaid), on or after the last day of any month on or after
which the then outstanding Pool Balance is equal to 10% or less of the Original
Pool Balance, at a price equal to at least the aggregate of the unpaid principal
amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such last
day. Exercise of such right will effect early retirement of the Notes. Upon
declaration of an optional redemption, the Indenture Trustee will give written
notice of termination to each Noteholder of record. The final distribution to
any Noteholder will be made only upon surrender and cancellation of such
holder's Note at the office or agency of the Indenture Trustee specified in the
notice of termination. Any funds remaining with the Indenture Trustee after the
Indenture Trustee has taken certain measures to locate a Noteholder, and such
measures have failed, will be distributed to The American Red Cross.
 
                             REGISTRATION OF NOTES
 
     The Notes will initially be registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede"),
the nominee of DTC. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the
laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
"clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial
Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC accepts securities
for deposit from its participating organizations ("Participants") and
facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and
trust companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other
organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is also available to others
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly.
 
     Persons acquiring beneficial ownership interests in the Notes may hold
their Notes directly though DTC if they are Participants or indirectly through
organizations which are Participants. The beneficial owner's ownership of a
book-entry note will be recorded on the records of the brokerage firm, bank,
thrift institution or other financial intermediary (each, a "Financial
Intermediary") that maintains the beneficial owner's account for such purpose.
In turn the Financial Intermediary's ownership of such book-entry note will be
recorded on the records of DTC (or of a participating firm that acts as agent
for the Financial Intermediary, whose interest will in turn be recorded on the
records of DTC, if the beneficial owner's Financial Intermediary is not a DTC
participant). See "Description of the Securities--Book-Entry Registration" in
the Prospectus.
 
                                      S-38

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                       DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST DOCUMENTS
 
     The following summary describes certain terms of the Purchase Agreements,
the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Indenture and the Trust Agreement
(together, the "Trust Documents"). Forms of the Trust Documents have been filed
as exhibits to the Registration Statement. A copy of the Trust Documents will be
filed with the Commission following the issuance of the Securities. This summary
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by reference to, all the provisions of the Trust Documents. The following
summary supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the
Trust Documents (as such terms are used in the accompanying Prospectus) set
forth in the accompanying Prospectus, to which description reference is hereby
made.
 
SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES
 
     On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller will purchase from Samco
pursuant to the Samco Purchase Agreement, without recourse, except as provided
in the Samco Purchase Agreement, Samco's entire interest in the Samco
Receivables, together with Samco's security interests in the related Financed
Vehicles. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller will purchase from Linc
pursuant to the Linc Purchase Agreement, without recourse, except as provided in
the Linc Purchase Agreement, Linc's entire interest in the Linc Receivables,
together with Linc's security interests in the related Financed Vehicles. On or
prior to the Closing Date, the Seller will purchase from CPS pursuant to the CPS
Purchase Agreement, without recourse, except as provided in the CPS Purchase
Agreement, CPS's entire interest in the CPS Receivables, together with CPS's
security interests in the related Financed Vehicles. At the time of issuance of
the Notes, the Seller will sell and assign to the Trust, without recourse except
as provided in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, its entire interest in the
Receivables, together with its security interests in the Financed Vehicles. Each
Receivable will be identified in a schedule appearing as an exhibit to the
related Purchase Agreement. The Indenture Trustee will, concurrently with such
sale and assignment, execute, authenticate, and deliver the Securities to the
Seller in exchange for the Receivables. The Seller will sell the Notes to the
Underwriter. See "Underwriting" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     In the CPS Purchase Agreement, CPS will represent and warrant to the
Seller, among other things, that (i) the information provided in the CPS
Purchase Agreement with respect to the Receivables (including, without
limitation, the Samco Receivables and the Linc Receivables) is correct in all
material respects; (ii) at the dates of origination of the Receivables, physical
damage insurance covering each Financed Vehicle was in effect in accordance with
the normal requirements of CPS, Samco or Linc, as applicable; (iii) at the date
of issuance of the Securities, the Receivables are free and clear of all
security interests, liens, charges, and encumbrances and no offsets, defenses,
or counterclaims against Dealers, IFCs or Deposit Institutions have been
asserted or threatened; (iv) at the date of issuance of the Securities, each of
the Receivables is or will be secured by a first-priority perfected security
interest in the related Financed Vehicle in favor of CPS, Samco or Linc; and (v)
each Receivable, at the time it was originated, complied and, at the date of
issuance of the Securities, complies in all material respects with applicable
federal and state laws, including, without limitation, consumer credit, truth in
lending, equal credit opportunity and disclosure laws. As of the last day of the
second (or, if CPS elects, the first) month following the discovery by or notice
to the Seller and CPS of a breach of any representation or warranty that
materially and adversely affects the interest of the Trust, the Indenture
Trustee or the Insurer, unless the breach is cured, CPS will purchase such
Receivable from the Trust for the Purchase Amount. The repurchase obligation
will constitute the sole remedy available to the Noteholders, the Insurer, the
Owner Trustee or the Indenture Trustee for any such uncured breach; provided,
however, that CPS will be required to indemnify the Owner Trustee, the Indenture
Trustee, the Insurer, the Trust and the Noteholders against all costs, losses,
damages, claims and liabilities, including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel, which may be asserted against or incurred by any of them, as a result
of third party claims arising out of events or facts giving rise to such breach.
 
     On or prior to the Closing Date, the related Contracts will be delivered to
the Indenture Trustee as custodian, and the Indenture Trustee thereafter will
maintain physical possession of the Receivables except as may be necessary for
the servicing thereof by the Servicer. The Receivables will not be stamped to
show the ownership thereof by the Trust. However, CPS's, Samco's and Linc's
accounting records and computer systems will reflect the sale and assignment of
the Receivables to the Seller, and Uniform
 
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Commercial Code ("UCC") financing statements reflecting such sales and
assignments will be filed. See "Formation of the Trust" in this Prospectus
Supplement and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in the Prospectus.
 
ACCOUNTS
 
     The segregated Lock-Box Account will be established and maintained with
Bank of America in the name of the Seller for the benefit of the Noteholders and
the Insurer, into which all payments made by Obligors on or with respect to the
Receivables must be deposited by the Lock-Box Processor. See "Description of the
Trust Documents--Payments on Receivables" in the Prospectus. The Indenture
Trustee will also establish and maintain initially with itself one or more
accounts (collectively, the "Collection Account") in the name of the Indenture
Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and the Insurer, into which all amounts
previously deposited in the Lock-Box Account will be transferred within two
Business Days of the receipt of funds therein. On the first Business Day after
receipt, the Servicer will deposit all amounts received by it in respect of the
Receivables in the Lock-Box Account or the Collection Account. The Indenture
Trustee will also establish and maintain initially with itself one or more
accounts, in the name of the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders,
from which all distributions with respect to the Notes will be made (the "Note
Distribution Account").
 
     The Collateral Agent will establish the Spread Account as a segregated
trust account at its office or at another depository institution or trust
company.
 
SERVICING COMPENSATION
 
     The Servicer will be entitled to receive the Servicing Fee on each Payment
Date, equal to the result of one twelfth times 2.00% of the Pool Balance as of
the close of business on the last day of the second preceding Collection Period;
provided, however, that with respect to the first Payment Date the Servicer will
be entitled to receive a Servicing Fee equal to the result of one twelfth times
2.00% of the Original Pool Balance. As additional servicing compensation, the
Servicer will also be entitled to receive certain late fees, prepayment charges
and other administrative fees or similar charges. If the Standby Servicer, or
any other entity serving at the time as Standby Servicer, becomes the successor
Servicer, it will receive compensation at a Servicing Fee Rate which shall (i)
reflect current market practice with respect to compensation of servicers of
receivables comparable to the Receivables and (ii) not exceed 3.00% per annum.
See "The Standby Servicer" in this Prospectus Supplement. The Servicer will also
collect and retain, as additional servicing compensation, any late fees,
prepayment charges and other administrative fees or similar charges allowed by
applicable law with respect to the Receivables, and amounts received upon
payment in full of Rule of 78's Receivables in excess of the then outstanding
principal balance of such Receivables and accrued interest thereon (calculated
pursuant to the actuarial method) and will be entitled to reimbursement from the
Trust for certain liabilities. Payments by or on behalf of Obligors will be
allocated to Scheduled Receivable Payments, late fees and other charges and
principal and interest in accordance with the Servicer's normal practices and
procedures. The Servicing Fee will be paid out of collections from the
Receivables, prior to distributions to Noteholders.
 
     The Servicing Fee and additional servicing compensation will compensate the
Servicer for performing the functions of a third party servicer of automotive
receivables as an agent for their beneficial owner, including collecting and
posting all payments, responding to inquiries of Obligors on the Receivables,
investigating delinquencies, sending payment coupons to Obligors, reporting tax
information to Obligors, paying costs of disposition of defaults and policing
the collateral. The Servicing Fee also will compensate the Servicer for
administering the Receivables, including accounting for collections and
furnishing monthly and annual statements to the Indenture Trustee and the
Insurer with respect to distributions and generating federal income tax
information. The Servicing Fee also will reimburse the Servicer for certain
taxes, accounting fees, outside auditor fees, data processing costs and other
costs incurred in connection with administering the Receivables.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     No later than 10:00 a.m., Minneapolis time, on each Determination Date, the
Servicer will inform the Indenture Trustee of the amount of aggregate
collections on the Receivables, and the aggregate Purchase
 
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Amount of Receivables to be repurchased by CPS or to be purchased by the
Servicer, in each case, with respect to the related Collection Period.
 
     The Servicer will determine prior to such Determination Date the Total
Distribution Amount, the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount, the
Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount, the Certificateholders'
Interest Distributable Amount and the Certificateholders' Principal
Distributable Amount.
 
     The "Determination Date" applicable to any Payment Date will be the earlier
of (i) the seventh Business Day of the month of such Payment Date and (ii) the
fifth Business Day preceding such Payment Date.
 
     Determination of Total Distribution Amount. The "Total Distribution Amount"
for a Payment Date will be the sum of the following amounts with respect to the
preceding Collection Period: (i) all collections on Receivables; (ii) all
proceeds received during the Collection Period with respect to Receivables that
became Liquidated Receivables during the Collection Period in accordance with
the Servicer's customary servicing procedures, net of the reasonable expenses
incurred by the Servicer in connection with such liquidation and any amounts
required by law to be remitted to the Obligor on such Liquidated Receivable
("Liquidation Proceeds") in accordance with the Servicer's customary servicing
procedures; (iii) proceeds from Recoveries with respect to Liquidated
Receivables; (iv) earnings on investments of funds in the Collection Account
during the related Collection Period; and (v) the Purchase Amount of each
Receivable that was repurchased by CPS or purchased by the Servicer as of the
last day of the related Collection Period.
 
     "Cram Down Loss" means, with respect to a Receivable, if a court of
appropriate jurisdiction in an insolvency proceeding shall have issued an order
reducing the amount owed on a Receivable or otherwise modifying or restructuring
Scheduled Payments to be made on a Receivable, an amount equal to such reduction
in Principal Balance of such Receivable or the reduction in the net present
value (using as the discount rate the lower of the contract rate or the rate of
interest specified by the court in such order) of the Scheduled Payments as so
modified or restructured. A Cram Down Loss shall be deemed to have occurred on
the date such order is entered.
 
     "Liquidated Receivable" means a Receivable (i) which has been liquidated by
the Servicer through the sale of the Financed Vehicle, or (ii) for which the
related Financed Vehicle has been repossessed and 90 days have elapsed since the
date of such repossession, or (iii) as to which an Obligor has failed to make
more than 90% of a Scheduled Receivable Payment of more than ten dollars for 120
(or, if the related Financed Vehicle has been repossessed, 210) or more days as
of the end of a Collection Period, or (iv) with respect to which proceeds have
been received which, in the Servicer's judgment, constitute the final amounts
recoverable in respect of such Receivable.
 
     "Purchase Amount" means, with respect to a Receivable, the amount, as of
the close of business on the last day of a Collection Period, required to prepay
in full such Receivable under the terms thereof including interest to the end of
the month of purchase.
 
     "Principal Balance" of a Receivable, as of the close of business on the
last day of a Collection Period, means the amount financed minus the sum of the
following amounts without duplication: (i) in the case of a Rule of 78's
Receivable, that portion of all Scheduled Receivable Payments received on or
prior to such day allocable to principal using the actuarial or constant yield
method; (ii) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, that portion of all
Scheduled Receivable Payments received on or prior to such day allocable to
principal using the Simple Interest Method; (iii) any payment of the Purchase
Amount with respect to the Receivable allocable to principal; (iv) any Cram Down
Loss in respect of such Receivable; and (v) any prepayment in full or any
partial prepayment applied to reduce the Principal Balance of the Receivable.
 
     "Recoveries" means, with respect to a Liquidated Receivable, the monies
collected from whatever source, during any Collection Period following the
Collection Period in which such Receivable became a Liquidated Receivable, net
of the reasonable costs of liquidation plus any amounts required by law to be
remitted to the Obligor.
 
     "Scheduled Receivable Payment" means, for any Collection Period for any
Receivable, the amount indicated in such Receivable as required to be paid by
the Obligor in such Collection Period (without
 
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giving effect to deferments of payments granted to Obligors by the Servicer
pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement or any rescheduling of payments in
any insolvency or similar proceedings).
 
     Calculation of Distribution Amounts. The Noteholders will be entitled to
receive the Noteholders' Distributable Amount with respect to each Payment Date.
The "Noteholders' Distributable Amount" with respect to a Payment Date will be
an amount equal to the sum of:
 
     (i) the "Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount," consisting
of the Class A Noteholders' Percentage of the following:
 
     (a) collections on Receivables (other than Liquidated Receivables)
allocable to principal including full and partial prepayments;
 
     (b) the portion of the Purchase Amount allocable to principal of each
Receivable that was repurchased by CPS or purchased by the Servicer as of the
last day of the related Collection Period and, at the option of the Insurer the
Principal Balance of each Receivable that was required to be but was not so
purchased or repurchased (without duplication of the amounts referred to in (a)
above);
 
     (c) the Principal Balance of each Receivable that first became a Liquidated
Receivable during the preceding Collection Period (without duplication of the
amounts included in (a) above);
 
     (d) the aggregate amount of Cram Down Losses with respect to the
Receivables that shall have occurred during the preceding Collection Period
(without duplication of amounts included in (a) through (c) above); and
 
     (e) any proceeds from the liquidation of the Trust Assets pursuant to an
acceleration of the Notes upon an Event of Default (the amounts set forth in (a)
through (e), the "Principal Distributable Amount"); plus
 
     (ii) the Class A Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall; and
 
     (iii) the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.
 
     On the Class A-1 Final Scheduled Payment Date, the Class A Noteholders'
Principal Distributable Amount will at least equal an amount sufficient to pay
in full the then outstanding principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes. On the
Class A-2 Final Scheduled Payment Date, the Class A Noteholders' Principal
Distributable Amount will at least equal an amount sufficient to pay in full the
then outstanding principal balance of the Class A-2 Notes. On the Class A-3
Final Scheduled Payment Date, the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable
Amount will at least equal an amount sufficient to pay in full the then
outstanding principal balance of the Class A-3 Notes. On the Class A-4 Final
Scheduled Payment Date, the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount
will at least equal an amount sufficient to pay in full the then outstanding
principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes.
 
          "Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the sum of (i) the Class A-1 Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount, (ii) the Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount, (iii) the Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount and (iv) the Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount.
 
          The "Class A Noteholders' Percentage" will be 98% on the initial
     Payment Date and on any Payment Date after the initial Payment Date will be
     the percentage equivalent of a fraction, the numerator of which is the
     principal amount of the Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date
     and the denominator of which is the Pool Balance as of such Payment Date.
 
          "Class A Target Amount" means, with respect to any Payment Date, an
     amount equal to 90% of the Pool Balance as of such Payment Date.
 
          "Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the excess of the Class A-1 Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding Payment Date over the
     amount that was actually deposited in the Note Distribution Account on such
     preceding Payment Date on account of the Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount.
 
          "Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the sum of the Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly
     Interest Distributable Amount for such Payment Date and the Class A-1
     Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Payment Date,
 
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     plus interest on such Class A-1 Noteholder's Interest Carryover Shortfall,
     to the extent permitted by law, at the Class A-1 Interest Rate through the
     current Payment Date.
 
          "Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means
     an amount equal to the product of (i) the Class A-1 Interest Rate, (ii) the
     outstanding principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes as of the close of the
     preceding Payment Date (or, in the case of the initial Payment Date, as of
     the Closing Date) after giving effect to all distributions on account of
     principal on such preceding Payment Date and (iii) a fraction, the
     numerator of which is the actual number of days elapsed in the applicable
     Class A-1 Interest Period and the denominator of which is 360.
 
          "Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the excess of the Class A-2 Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding Payment Date over the
     amount that was actually deposited in the Note Distribution Account on such
     preceding Payment Date on account of the Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount.
 
          "Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the sum of the Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly
     Interest Distributable Amount for such Payment Date and the Class A-2
     Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Payment Date, plus
     interest on such Class A-2 Noteholder's Interest Carryover Shortfall, to
     the extent permitted by law, at the Class A-2 Interest Rate through the
     current Payment Date.
 
          "Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means,
     (a) for the first Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the
     Class A-2 Interest Rate, (ii) the initial principal balance of the Class
     A-2 Notes and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
     days from and including the Closing Date to and including August 14, 1998
     (assuming that there are 30 days in each month of the year) and (ii) the
     denominator of which is 360 and (b) for any Payment Date after the first
     Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) one-twelfth of the
     Class A-2 Interest Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the
     Class A-2 Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date (after giving
     effect to all distributions on account of principal on such preceding
     Payment Date).
 
          "Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the excess of the Class A-3 Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding Payment Date over the
     amount that was actually deposited in the Note Distribution Account on such
     preceding Payment Date on account of the Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount.
 
          "Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the sum of the Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly
     Interest Distributable Amount for such Payment Date and the Class A-3
     Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Payment Date, plus
     interest on such Class A-3 Noteholder's Interest Carryover Shortfall, to
     the extent permitted by law, at the Class A-3 Interest Rate through the
     current Payment Date.
 
          "Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means,
     (a) for the first Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the
     Class A-3 Interest Rate, (ii) the initial principal balance of the Class
     A-3 Notes and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
     days from and including the Closing Date to and including August 14, 1998
     (assuming that there are 30 days in each month of the year) and (ii) the
     denominator of which is 360 and (b) for any Payment Date after the first
     Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) one-twelfth of the
     Class A-3 Interest Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the
     Class A-3 Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date (after giving
     effect to all distributions on account of principal on such preceding
     Payment Date).
 
          "Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the excess of the Class A-4 Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding Payment Date over the
     amount that was actually deposited in the Note Distribution Account on such
     preceding Payment Date on account of the Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest
     Distributable Amount.
 
          "Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount" means, with
     respect to any Payment Date, the sum of the Class A-4 Noteholders' Monthly
     Interest Distributable Amount for such Payment Date and the Class A-4
     Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Payment Date,
 
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     plus interest on such Class A-4 Noteholder's Interest Carryover Shortfall,
     to the extent permitted by law, at the Class A-4 Interest Rate through the
     current Payment Date.
 
          "Class A-4 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means,
     (a) for the first Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the
     Class A-4 Interest Rate, (ii) the initial principal balance of the Class
     A-4 Notes and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
     days from and including the Closing Date to and including August 14, 1998
     (assuming that there are 30 days in each month of the year) and (ii) the
     denominator of which is 360 and (b) for any Payment Date after the first
     Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) one-twelfth of the
     Class A-4 Interest Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the
     Class A-4 Notes as of the close of the preceding Payment Date (after giving
     effect to all distributions on account of principal on such preceding
     Payment Date).
 
     Priority of Distribution Amounts. On each Determination Date, the Servicer
will calculate the amount to be distributed to the Noteholders.
 
          On each Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee (based on the Servicer's
     determination made on the related Determination Date) shall make the
     following distributions in the following order of priority:
 
          (i) to the Standby Servicer, so long as CPS is the Servicer and
     Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association is the Standby Servicer, the
     Standby Fee and all unpaid Standby Fees from prior Collection Periods;
 
          (ii) to the Servicer, from the Total Distribution Amount (as such
     Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to clause
     (i) above), the Servicing Fee and all unpaid Servicing Fees from prior
     Collection Periods;
 
          (iii) in the event the Standby Servicer becomes the successor
     Servicer, to the Standby Servicer, from the Total Distribution Amount (as
     such Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to
     clauses (i) and (ii) above), to the extent not previously paid by the
     predecessor Servicer pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
     reasonable transition expenses (up to a maximum of $50,000) incurred in
     becoming the successor Servicer;
 
          (iv) to the Indenture Trustee and the Owner Trustee, pro rata, from
     the Total Distribution Amount (as such Total Distribution Amount has been
     reduced by payments pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) above), the fees
     payable thereto for services pursuant to the Indenture and the Trust
     Agreement (the "Trustee Fees") and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
     thereof (including counsel fees and expenses), and all unpaid Trustee Fees
     and unpaid reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees and
     expenses) from prior Collection Periods;
 
          (v) to the Collateral Agent, from the Total Distribution Amount (as
     such Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to
     clauses (i) through (iv) above), all fees and expenses payable to the
     Collateral Agent with respect to such Payment Date;
 
          (vi) to the Noteholders (pro rata to each class of Notes on the basis
     of the accrued and unpaid interest thereon), from the Total Distribution
     Amount (as such Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments
     pursuant to clauses (i) through (v) above), the Class A Noteholders'
     Interest Distributable Amount;
 
          (vii) to the Noteholders, from the Total Distribution Amount (as such
     Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to clauses
     (i) through (vi) above), the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable
     Amount, plus the Class A Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall, if
     any;
 
          (viii) to the Insurer, from the Total Distribution Amount (as such
     Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to clauses
     (i) through (vii) above), any amounts due to the Insurer under the terms of
     the Insurance Agreement;
 
          (ix) on any Payment Date prior to the First Target Date, to the
     Collateral Agent for deposit in the Spread Account, from the Total
     Distribution Amount (as such Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by
     payments pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) above) the amount by which
     the Initial Spread Account Deposit exceeds the amount in the Spread Account
     on such Payment Date;
 
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          (x) on any Payment Date on which the principal balance of the Notes
     (after giving effect to the payment described in paragraph (vii) above)
     exceeds the Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date, to the
     Noteholders, from the Total Distribution Amount (as such Total Distribution
     Amount has been reduced by payments pursuant to clauses (i) through (ix)
     above), an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the portion of the Total
     Distribution Amount remaining after making the payments described in (i)
     through (ix) above and (b) the excess of the principal balance of the Notes
     (after giving effect to the payment described in (vii) above) over the
     Class A Target Amount;
 
          (xi) in the event any Person other than the Standby Servicer becomes
     the successor Servicer, to such successor Servicer, from the Total
     Distribution Amount (as such Total Distribution Amount has been reduced by
     payments pursuant to clauses (i) through (x) above), to the extent not
     previously paid by the predecessor Servicer pursuant to the Sale and
     Servicing Agreement, reasonable transition expenses (up to a maximum of
     $50,000 for all such expenses) incurred in becoming the successor Servicer;
     and
 
          (xii) to the Collateral Agent, for deposit into the Spread Account,
     the remaining Total Distribution Amount, if any.
 
     Amounts distributed on account of the Class A Noteholders' Principal
Distributable Amount pursuant to priority (vii) above and amounts distributed
pursuant to (x) above will be applied, sequentially, to pay principal of the
Class A-1 Notes until the principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes has been
reduced to zero, then to the holders of the Class A-2 Notes until the principal
balance of the Class A-2 Notes has been reduced to zero, then to the holders of
the Class A-3 Notes until the principal balance of the Class A-3 Notes has been
reduced to zero, and then to the holders of the Class A- 4 Notes until the
principal balance of the Class A-4 Notes has been reduced to zero.
 
     On the fourth business day prior to a Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee
will determine, based on a certificate from the Servicer, whether there are
amounts sufficient, after payment of amounts as set forth in the priorities of
distribution in the Indenture, to distribute the Class A Noteholders'
Distributable Amount.
 
     The Insurer shall at any time, and from time to time, with respect to a
Payment Date, have the option (but shall not be required, except as required
under the Policy) to deliver amounts to the Indenture Trustee for deposit into
the Collection Account for any of the following purposes: (i) to provide funds
in respect of the payment of fees or expenses of any provider of services to the
Trust with respect to such Payment Date, (ii) to distribute as a component of
the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount to the extent that the
principal balance of the Notes as of the Determination Date preceding such
Payment Date exceeds the Pool Balance as of such Determination Date, or (iii) to
include such amount as part of the Total Distribution Amount for such Payment
Date to the extent that without such amount a draw would be required to be made
on the Policy.
 
     The Spread Account. As part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Policy, the Seller has agreed to cause to be established with Norwest Bank
Minnesota, National Association (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent") an
account (the "Spread Account") for the benefit of the Insurer and the Indenture
Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders. Any portion of the Total Distribution
Amount remaining on any Payment Date after payment of all fees and expenses due
on such date to the Servicer, the Standby Servicer, the Indenture Trustee, the
Owner Trustee, any successor Servicer and the Collateral Agent and all amounts
owing to the Insurer on such date and all principal and interest payments due to
the Noteholders on such Payment Date, will be deposited in the Spread Account
and held by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Insurer and the
Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders. If on any Payment Date, the
Total Distribution Amount is insufficient to pay all distributions required to
be made on such day pursuant to priorities (i) through (viii) under "Priority of
Distribution Amounts", then amounts on deposit in the Spread Account will be
applied to pay the amounts due on such Payment Date pursuant to such priorities
(i) through (viii).
 
     Amounts on deposit in the Spread Account on any Payment Date which (after
all payments required to be made on such Payment Date and distributions to be
made in accordance with the Master Spread Account Agreement have been made) are
in excess of the Requisite Amount will be released to or at the direction of the
Seller on such Payment Date.
 
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     So long as no Insurer Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Insurer will be entitled to exercise in its sole discretion all rights under the
master spread account agreement among the Seller, the Insurer, the Indenture
Trustee and the Collateral Agent (the "Master Spread Account Agreement") with
respect to the Spread Account and any amounts on deposit therein and will have
no liability to the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders for the exercise of
such rights. The Insurer (so long as an Insurer Default shall not have occurred
and be continuing) may, with the written consent of CPS, the Seller and the
Collateral Agent but without the consent of the Indenture Trustee or any
Noteholder, reduce the Requisite Amount or modify any term of the Master Spread
Account Agreement (including terminating the Master Spread Account Agreement and
releasing all funds on deposit in the Spread Account). Because the Requisite
Amount or the existence of the Spread Account may be modified or terminated by
the Insurer as described above, Noteholders should not rely on amounts in the
Spread Account for payments of principal or interest on the Notes.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     Unless an Insurer Default shall have occurred and be continuing, "Events of
Default" under the Indenture will consist of those events defined in the
Insurance Agreement as Insurance Agreement Indenture Cross Defaults, and will
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture only if the Insurer shall
have delivered to the Indenture Trustee a written notice specifying that any
such Insurance Agreement Indenture Cross Default constitutes an Event of Default
under the Indenture. An "Insurance Agreement Indenture Cross Default" may result
from: (i) a demand for payment under the Policy; (ii) an Insolvency Event ;
(iii) the Trust becoming taxable as an association (or publicly traded
partnership) taxable as a corporation for federal or state income tax purposes;
(iv) the sum of the Total Distribution Amount with respect to any Payment Date
plus the amount (if any) available from certain collateral accounts maintained
for the benefit of the Insurer is less than the sum of the amounts described in
clauses (i) through (vii) under "Description of the Trust
Documents--Distributions--Priority of Distribution Amounts" herein; and (v) any
failure to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenants,
representation, warranty or agreements of the Trust in the Indenture, any
certificate or other writing delivered in connection therewith, which failure
continues for 30 days after written notice of such failure or incorrect
representation or warranty has been given to the Trust and the Indenture Trustee
by the Insurer.
 
     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and so long as an Insurer
Default shall not have occurred and be continuing, the Notes shall become due
and payable at par with accrued interest thereon, the Insurer will have the
right, but not the obligation, to cause the Indenture Trustee to liquidate the
Trust Assets, in whole or in part, on any date or dates following the
acceleration of the Notes due to such Event of Default, and to distribute the
proceeds of such liquidation in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Following the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Indenture Trustee will
continue to submit claims as necessary under the Policy for any shortfalls in
the Scheduled Payments on the Notes, except that the Insurer, in its sole
discretion, may elect to pay all or any portion of the outstanding amount of the
Notes in excess thereof, plus accrued interest thereon. See "The Policy" and
"Description of the Securities--Mandatory Prepayment" herein.
 
     If an Insurer Default has occurred and is continuing, "Events of Default"
will consist of the following events set forth in the Indenture: (i) a default
for five days or more in the payment of any interest on the Notes; (ii) a
default for five days or more in the payment of the principal of the Notes when
the same becomes due and payable; (iii) a default in the observance or
performance in any material respect of any covenant or agreement of the Trust
made in the Indenture, or any representation or warranty made by the Trust in
the Indenture or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto or in connection
therewith having been incorrect as of the time made, and the continuation of any
such default or the failure to cure such breach of a representation or warranty
for a period of 30 days (or such longer period not in excess of 90 days as is
reasonably necessary to cure such default) after notice thereof is given to the
Trust by the Indenture Trustee or to the Trust and the Indenture Trustee by the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; or
(iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation of
the Trust.
 
     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and so long as an Insurer
Default has occurred and is continuing the Indenture Trustee or the holders of
Notes representing at least a majority of the principal
 
                                      S-46

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of the Notes to
be immediately due and payable. Such declaration may, under certain
circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of Notes representing at least a
majority of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. The Indenture
Trustee may also institute proceedings to collect amounts due or foreclose on
the Trust Property, exercise remedies as a secured party, sell the related
Receivables or elect to have the Trust maintain possession of such Receivables.
If the Indenture Trustee has the right to liquidate the Trust Estate, because an
Insurer Default has occurred and is continuing, nevertheless, the Indenture
Trustee will be prohibited from selling the related Receivables following an
Event of Default unless (i) the holders of all the outstanding Notes consent to
such sale or (ii) the proceeds of such sale are sufficient to pay in full the
principal of and the accrued interest on such outstanding Notes at the date of
such sale.
 
STATEMENTS TO NOTEHOLDERS
 
     On each Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee will include with each
distribution to each Noteholder of record as of the close of business on the
applicable Record Date and each Rating Agency that is currently rating the Notes
a statement (prepared by the Servicer) setting forth the following information
with respect to the preceding Collection Period, to the extent applicable: (i)
the amount of the distribution allocable to principal of each class of Notes;
(ii) the amount of the distribution allocable to interest on each class of
Notes; (iii) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor for each class of Notes as of
the close of business on the last day of the preceding Collection Period; (iv)
the aggregate principal balance of each class of Notes and the Certificates as
of the close of business on the last day of the preceding Collection Period,
after giving effect to payments allocated to principal reported under (i) above;
(v) the amount of the Servicing Fee paid to the Servicer with respect to the
related Collection Period (inclusive of the Standby Fee), the amount of any
unpaid Servicing Fees and the change in such amount from that of the prior
Payment Date; (vi) the amount of the Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest Carryover
Shortfall, Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall, Class A-3
Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall, Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest
Carryover Shortfall and Class A Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall on
such Payment Date and the change in such amounts from those on the prior Payment
Date; (vii) the amount paid to the Noteholders under the Policy or from the
Spread Account for such Payment Date; (viii) the amount distributable to the
Insurer on such Payment Date; (ix) the aggregate amount in the Spread Account
and the change in such amount from the previous Payment Date; (x) the number of
Receivables and the aggregate gross amount scheduled to be paid thereon,
including unearned finance and other charges, for which the related Obligors are
delinquent in making Scheduled Receivable Payments between 31 and 59 days and 60
days or more; (xi) the number and the aggregate Purchase Amount of Receivables
repurchased by CPS or purchased by the Servicer; and (xii) the cumulative
Principal Balance of all Receivables that have become Liquidated Receivables,
net of Recoveries, during the period from the Cutoff Date to the last day of the
related Collection Period.
 
     Each amount set forth pursuant to subclauses (i), (ii), (v), (vi), (vii)
and (xi) above shall be expressed in the aggregate and as a dollar amount per
$1,000 of original principal balance of a Note.
 
     Within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the
end of each calendar year during the term of the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
the Indenture Trustee will mail to each person who at any time during such
calendar year shall have been a Noteholder and received any payment on such
holder's Notes, a statement (prepared by the Servicer) containing the sum of the
amounts described in (i), (ii) and (v) above for the purposes of such
Noteholder's preparation of federal income tax returns. See "Description of the
Trust Documents--Statements to Noteholders" and "Federal Income Tax
Consequences"in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
 
     The Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that a firm of independent
certified public accountants will furnish to the Indenture Trustee and the
Insurer on or before July 31 of each year, beginning July 31, 1999, a report as
to compliance by the Servicer during the preceding twelve months ended March 31
with certain standards relating to the servicing of the Receivables (or in the
case of the first such certificate, the period from the Cutoff Date to March 31,
1999).
 
                                      S-47

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

     The Sale and Servicing Agreement will also provide for delivery to the
Indenture Trustee and the Insurer, on or before July 31 of each year, commencing
July 31, 1999 of a certificate signed by an officer of the Servicer stating that
the Servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement throughout the preceding twelve months ended March 31 or, if there has
been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, describing each such
default (or in the case of the first such certificate, the period from the
Cutoff Date to March 31, 1999). The Servicer has agreed to give the Indenture
Trustee and the Insurer notice of any Events of Default under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement.
 
     Copies of such statements and certificates may be obtained by Noteholders
by a request in writing addressed to the Indenture Trustee.
 
CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICER
 
     The Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer may not
resign from its obligations and duties as Servicer thereunder except upon
determination that its performance of such duties is no longer permissible under
applicable law and with the consent of the Insurer. No such resignation will
become effective until a successor servicer has assumed the servicing
obligations and duties under the Sale and Servicing Agreement. In the event CPS
resigns as Servicer or is terminated as Servicer, the Standby Servicer has
agreed pursuant to the Servicing Assumption Agreement to assume the servicing
obligations and duties under the Sale and Servicing Agreement; however, so long
as no Insurer Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Insurer in its
sole and absolute discretion may appoint a successor Servicer other than the
Standby Servicer.
 
     The Sale and Servicing Agreement will further provide that neither the
Servicer nor any of its directors, officers, employees, and agents will be under
any liability to the Trust or the Noteholders for taking any action or for
refraining from taking any action pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that neither the Servicer nor any
such person will be protected against any liability that would otherwise be
imposed by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the
performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and
duties thereunder. In addition, the Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide
that the Servicer is under no obligation to appear in, prosecute, or defend any
legal action that is not incidental to its servicing responsibilities under the
Sale and Servicing Agreement and that, in its opinion, may cause it to incur any
expense or liability.
 
     Under the circumstances specified in the Sale and Servicing Agreement any
entity into which the Servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any entity
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Servicer is a party, or
any entity succeeding to the business of the Servicer which corporation or other
entity in each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the Servicer,
will be the successor of the Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
     The Sale and Servicing Agreement provides that the rights and obligations
of the Servicer terminate each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
unless renewed by the Insurer for successive quarterly periods. The Insurer will
agree to grant continuous renewals so long as (i) no Servicer Termination Event
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement has occurred and (ii) no event of default
under the Insurance Agreement has occurred. See "Description of the
Securities--Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer" in the Prospectus.
 
SERVICER TERMINATION EVENTS
 
     Any of the following events will constitute a "Servicer Termination Event"
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement: (i) any failure by the Servicer to
deliver to the Indenture Trustee for distribution to the Securityholders any
required payment, which failure continues unremedied for two Business Days (or,
in the case of a payment or deposit to be made no later than a Payment Date, the
failure to make such payment or deposit by such Payment Date), or any failure to
deliver to the Indenture Trustee the annual accountants' report, the annual
statement as to compliance or the statement to the Noteholders, in each case,
within five days of the date it is due; (ii) any failure by the Servicer duly to
observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant or agreement in
the Sale and Servicing Agreement which continues unremedied for 30 days after
the giving of written notice of such failure (1) to the Servicer or the Seller,
as the case may be, by the Insurer or by the Indenture Trustee, or (2) to the
Servicer or the Seller, as the case
 
                                      S-48

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

may be, and to the Indenture Trustee and the Insurer by the holders of Notes
evidencing not less than 25% of the outstanding principal balance of the Notes;
(iii) certain events of insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets
and liabilities, or similar proceedings with respect to the Servicer or, so long
as CPS is Servicer, of any of its affiliates, and certain actions by the
Servicer, the Seller or, so long as CPS is Servicer, of any of its affiliates,
indicating its insolvency, reorganization pursuant to bankruptcy proceedings, or
inability to pay its obligations; (iv) a claim is made under the Policy; or (v)
the occurrence of an Insurance Agreement Event of Default.
 
     An "Insurance Agreement Event of Default" means an event of default under
the Insurance Agreement or under any other "insurance agreement" pursuant to
which Financial Security has issued (or issues in the future) a financial
guaranty insurance policy in respect of securities issued by a trust for which
CPS is the Servicer. The events constituting an Insurance Agreement Event of
Default (including the events of default under any such other insurance
agreements) may be modified, amended or waived by Financial Security without
notice to or consent of the Indenture Trustee or any Noteholder. Remedies
available to Financial Security upon the occurrence of an Insurance Agreement
Event of Default include increasing the amount required to be on deposit in the
Spread Account and terminating CPS's appointment as Servicer. See "Risk Factors
- -- Sub-Prime Obligers; Servicing".
 
RIGHTS UPON SERVICER TERMINATION EVENT
 
     Following the occurrence of a Servicer Termination Event that remains
unremedied, (x) provided no Insurer Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Insurer in its sole and absolute discretion or (y) if an Insurer
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then the Indenture Trustee or the
holders of Notes evidencing not less than 25% of the outstanding principal
balance of the Notes may terminate all the rights and obligations of the
Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, whereupon the Standby Servicer,
or such other successor Servicer as shall be or have been appointed by the
Insurer (or, if an Insurer Default shall have occurred and be continuing, by the
Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders, as described above) will succeed to all
the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Servicer under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement; provided, however, that such successor Servicer shall have
no liability with respect to any obligation which was required to be performed
by the predecessor Servicer prior to the date such successor Servicer becomes
the Servicer or the claim of a third party (including a Noteholder) based on any
alleged action or inaction of the predecessor Servicer as Servicer.
 
     "Insurer Default" shall mean any one of the following events shall have
occurred and be continuing: (i) the Insurer fails to make a payment required
under the Policy in accordance with its terms; (ii) the Insurer (A) files any
petition or commences any case or proceeding under any provision or chapter of
the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other similar federal or state law
relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, rehabilitation, liquidation or
reorganization, (B) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
or (C) has an order for relief entered against it under the United States
Bankruptcy Code or any other similar federal or state law relating to
insolvency, bankruptcy, rehabilitation, liquidation or reorganization which is
final and nonappealable; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction, the New
York Department of Insurance or other competent regulatory authority enters a
final and nonappealable order, judgment or decree (A) appointing a custodian,
trustee, agent or receiver for the Insurer or for all or any material portion of
its property or (B) authorizing the taking of possession by a custodian,
trustee, agent or receiver of the Insurer (or the taking of possession of all or
any material portion of the property of the Insurer).
 
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS
 
     With respect to the Trust, subject to the approval of the Insurer, the
holders of Notes evidencing more than 50% of the outstanding principal balance
of the Notes (the "Class A Note Majority") may, on behalf of all Securityholders
waive any default by the Servicer in the performance of its obligations under
the Sale and Servicing Agreement and its consequences, except a default in
making any required deposits to or payments from any of the Trust Accounts in
accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement. No such waiver shall impair
the Noteholders' rights with respect to subsequent defaults.
 
                                      S-49

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                               CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
 
THE POLICY
 
     Concurrently with the issuance of the Securities, the Insurer will issue
the Policy to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders. Under
the Policy, the Insurer will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full,
complete and timely payment of (i) the Class A Noteholders' Interest
Distributable Amount and (ii) the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable
Amount. See "The Policy" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION
 
     To the extent that the outstanding principal balance of the Notes on any
Payment Date exceeds the Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date, the
portion of the Total Distribution Amount remaining after payment of the amounts
described in items (i) through (ix) under "Description of the Trust Documents --
Distributions -- Priority of Distributions" will be applied to make a principal
payment on the Notes in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) such remaining
portion of the Total Distribution Amount and (b) the amount by which the
outstanding principal balance of the Notes on such Payment Date exceeds the
Class A Target Amount for such Payment Date. Such additional principal payment
will cause the principal amount of the Notes to amortize more quickly relative
to the principal amount of the Receivables than would be the case if the
Noteholders received only the Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable
Amount.
 
                                   THE POLICY
 
     The following summary of the terms of the Policy does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Policy.
 
     Simultaneously with the issuance of the Notes, the Insurer will deliver the
Policy to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of each Class A Noteholder.
Under the Policy, the Insurer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the
Indenture Trustee for the benefit of each Class A Noteholder the full and
complete payment of (i) Scheduled Payments (as defined below) on the Notes and
(ii) any Scheduled Payment which subsequently is avoided in whole or in part as
a preference payment under applicable law.
 
     "Scheduled Payments" means payments that are scheduled to be made on the
Notes during the term of the Policy in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the
Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount and (ii) the Class A
Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount on a Payment Date, in each case, in
accordance with the original terms of the Notes when issued and without regard
to any amendment or modification of the Notes or the Indenture which has not
been consented to by the Insurer. Scheduled Payments do not include payments
which become due on an accelerated basis as a result of (a) a default by the
Issuer, (b) an election by the Issuer to pay principal on an accelerated basis,
(c) the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Indenture or (d) any other
cause, unless the Insurer elects, in its sole discretion, to pay in whole or in
part such principal due upon acceleration, together with any accrued interest to
the date of acceleration. In the event the Insurer does not so elect, the Policy
will continue to guarantee Scheduled Payments due on the Notes in accordance
with their original terms. Scheduled Payments shall not include, nor shall
coverage be provided under the Policy in respect of, (i) any portion of a Class
A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount due to Noteholders because a notice
and certificate in proper form was not timely Received by the Insurer, or (ii)
any portion of the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount due to
Noteholders representing interest on any Noteholders' Interest Carryover
Shortfall accrued from and including the date of payment of the amount of such
Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall pursuant to the Policy. Scheduled
Payments shall not include any amounts due in respect of the Notes attributable
to any increase in interest rates, penalties or other sums payable by the Trust
by reason of a default or Event of Default in respect of the Notes, or by reason
of a deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Trust, nor shall Scheduled
Payments include, nor shall coverage be provided under the Policy in respect of,
any taxes, withholding or other charges with respect to any Noteholder imposed
by any governmental authority due in connection with the payment of any
Scheduled Payments to a Class A Noteholder.
 
                                      S-50

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

     Payment of claims on the Policy made in respect of Scheduled Payments will
be made by the Insurer following Receipt by the Insurer of the appropriate
notice for payment on the later to occur of (a) 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on the third Business Day following Receipt of such notice for payment, and (b)
12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Payment Date on which such payment was
due on the Notes.
 
     If payment of any amount avoided as a preference under applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law is required to be made under
the Policy, the Insurer shall cause such payment to be made on the later of the
date when due to be paid pursuant to the Order referred to below or the first to
occur of (a) the fourth Business Day following Receipt by the Insurer from the
Indenture Trustee of (i) a certified copy of the order (the "Order") of the
court or other governmental body which exercised jurisdiction to the effect that
the Class A Noteholder is required to return the amount of any Scheduled Payment
distributed with respect to the Notes during the term of the Policy because such
distributions were avoidable as preference payments under applicable bankruptcy
law, (ii) a certificate of the Noteholder that the Order has been entered and is
not subject to any stay, and (iii) an assignment duly executed and delivered by
the Class A Noteholder, in such form as is reasonably required by the Insurer
and provided to the Class A Noteholder by the Insurer, irrevocably assigning to
the Insurer all rights and claims of the Class A Noteholder relating to or
arising under the Notes against the debtor which made such preference payment or
otherwise with respect to such preference payment, or (b) the date of Receipt by
the Insurer from the Indenture Trustee of the items referred to in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above if, at least four Business Days prior to such date of
Receipt, the Insurer shall have received written notice from the Indenture
Trustee that such items were to be delivered on such date and such date was
specified in such notice. Such payment shall be disbursed to the receiver,
conservator, debtor-in-possession or trustee in bankruptcy named in the Order
and not to the Indenture Trustee or any Class A Noteholder directly (unless a
Class A Noteholder has previously paid such amount to the receiver, conservator,
debtor-in-possession or trustee in bankruptcy named in the Order, in which
event, such payment shall be disbursed to the Indenture Trustee for distribution
to such Class A Noteholder upon proof of such payment reasonably satisfactory to
the Insurer). In connection with the foregoing, the Insurer shall have the
rights provided pursuant to the Indenture.
 
     The terms "Receipt" and "Received" with respect to the Policy, shall mean
actual delivery to the Insurer and to its fiscal agent, if any, prior to 12:00
noon, New York City time, on a Business Day; delivery either on a day that is
not a Business Day or after 12:00 noon, New York City time, shall be deemed to
be Receipt on the next succeeding Business Day. If any notice or certificate
given under the Policy by the Indenture Trustee is not in proper form or is not
properly completed, executed or delivered, it shall be deemed not to have been
Received, and the Insurer or its fiscal agent shall promptly so advise the
Indenture Trustee and the Indenture Trustee may submit an amended notice.
 
     Under the Policy, "Business Day" means any day other than (i) a Saturday or
Sunday or (ii) a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New
York, Minneapolis, Minnesota, the State in which the principal corporate trust
office of the Indenture Trustee is located, or any other location of any
successor indenture trustee or successor Collateral Agent are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to be closed.
 
     The Insurer's obligations under the Policy in respect of the Scheduled
Payments shall be discharged to the extent funds are transferred to the
Indenture Trustee as provided in the Policy whether or not such funds are
properly applied by the Indenture Trustee.
 
     The Insurer shall be subrogated to the rights of each Class A Noteholder to
receive payments of principal and interest to the extent of any payment by the
Insurer under the Policy.
 
     Claims under the Policy constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of the Insurer ranking not less than pari passu with other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Insurer for borrowed money. Claims
against the Insurer under the Policy and claims against the Insurer under each
other financial guaranty insurance policy issued thereby constitute pari passu
claims against the general assets of the Insurer. The terms of the Policy cannot
be modified or altered by any other agreement or instrument, or by the merger,
consolidation or dissolution of the Trust. The Policy may not be canceled or
revoked prior to distribution in full of all Scheduled Payments with respect to
the Notes. The Policy is not covered by the Property/Casualty Insurance Security
Fund specified in Article 76 of the New York Insurance Law. The Policy is
governed by the laws of the State of New York.
 
                                      S-51

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                                  THE INSURER
GENERAL
 
     Financial Security Assurance Inc. (the "Insurer" and, for purposes of this
Section, "Financial Security") is a monoline insurance company incorporated in
1984 under the laws of the State of New York. Financial Security is licensed, to
engage in financial guaranty insurance business in all 50 states, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
 
     Financial Security and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of
writing financial guaranty insurance, principally in respect of securities
offered in domestic and foreign markets. In general, financial guaranty
insurance consists of the issuance of a guaranty of scheduled payments of an
issuer's securities thereby enhancing the credit rating of those securities in
consideration for the payment of a premium to the insurer. Financial Security
and its subsidiaries principally insure asset-backed, collateralized and
municipal securities. Asset-backed securities are generally supported by
residential mortgage loans, consumer or trade receivables, securities or other
assets having an ascertainable cash flow or market value. Collateralized
securities include public utility first mortgage bonds and sale/leaseback
obligation bonds. Municipal securities consist largely of general obligation
bonds, special revenue bonds and other special obligations of state and local
governments. Financial Security insures both newly issued securities sold in the
primary market and outstanding securities sold in the secondary market that
satisfy Financial Security's underwriting criteria.
 
     Financial Security is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Financial Security
Assurance Holdings Ltd. ("Holdings"), a New York Stock Exchange listed company.
Major shareholders of Holdings include Fund American Enterprise Holdings, Inc.,
U S WEST Capital Corporation and The Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
No shareholder of Holdings is obligated to pay any debt of Financial Security or
any claim under any insurance policy issued by Financial Security or to make any
additional contribution to the capital of Financial Security.
 
     The principal executive offices of Financial Security are located at 350
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and its telephone number at that location
is (212) 826-0100.
 
REINSURANCE
 
     Pursuant to an intercompany agreement, liabilities on financial guaranty
insurance written or reinsured from third parties by Financial Security or any
of its domestic operating insurance company subsidiaries are reinsured among
such companies on an agreed-upon percentage substantially proportional to their
respective capital, surplus and reserves, subject to applicable statutory risk
limitations. In addition, Financial Security reinsures a portion of its
liabilities under certain of its financial guaranty insurance policies with
other reinsurers under various quota share treaties and on a transaction-
by-transaction basis. Such reinsurance is utilized by Financial Security as a
risk management device and to comply with certain statutory and rating agency
requirements; it does not alter or limit Financial Security's obligations under
any financial guaranty insurance policy.
 
RATING OF CLAIMS-PAYING ABILITY
 
     Financial Security's claims-paying ability is rated "Aaa" by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Fitch
IBCA, Inc., Japan Rating and Investment Information, Inc. and Standard & Poor's
(Australia) Pty. Ltd. Such ratings reflect only the views of the respective
rating agencies, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and are
subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by such rating agencies. See "Risk
Factors--Ratings of the Notes" in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                      S-52

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of Financial Security and
its wholly owned subsidiaries on the basis of generally accepted accounting
principles as of March 31, 1998 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                             ----------------
    <S>                                                                      <C>
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
    Deferred premium revenue (net of prepaid reinsurance premiums).........     $  428,157
    Shareholder's equity:
           Common stock....................................................         15,000
           Additional paid-in capital......................................        618,317
           Unrealized gain on investments (net of deferred income taxes)...         24,700
           Accumulated earnings............................................        265,030
                                                                                ----------
                Total shareholder's equity.................................        923,047
                                                                                ----------
                Total deferred premium revenue and shareholder's equity....     $1,351,204
                                                                                ----------
                                                                                ----------
</TABLE>
 
     For further information concerning Financial Security, see the Consolidated
Financial Statements of Financial Security Assurance Inc., and Subsidiaries, and
the notes thereto, incorporated by reference herein. Copies of the statutory
quarterly and annual statements filed with the State of New York Insurance
Department by Financial Security are available upon request to the State of New
York Insurance Department.
 
INSURANCE REGULATION
 
     Financial Security is licensed and subject to regulation as a financial
guaranty insurance corporation under the laws of the State of New York, its
state of domicile. In addition, Financial Security and its insurance
subsidiaries are subject to regulation by insurance laws of the various other
jurisdictions in which they are licensed to do business. As a financial guaranty
insurance corporation licensed to do business in the State of New York,
Financial Security is subject to Article 69 of the New York Insurance Law which,
among other things, limits the business of each insurer to financial guaranty
insurance and related lines, requires that each such insurer maintain a minimum
surplus to policyholders, establishes contingency, loss and unearned premium
reserve requirements for each such insurer, and limits the size of individual
transactions ("single risks") and the volume of transactions ("aggregate risks")
that may be underwritten by each such insurer. Other provisions of the New York
Insurance Law, applicable to non-life insurance companies such as Financial
Security, regulate, among other things, permitted investments, payment of
dividends, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions
or sales of assets and incurrence of liability for borrowings.
 
     Financial Security does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of this Prospectus Supplement or any information or disclosure
contained herein, or omitted herefrom, other than with respect to the accuracy
of the information regarding Financial Security set forth under the heading "The
Insurer."
 
                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     In the opinion of Federal Tax Counsel, for Federal income tax purposes the
Notes will be characterized as debt, and the Trust will not be characterized as
an association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation. Each
Noteholder, by the acceptance of a Note, will agree to treat the Notes as
indebtedness for Federal income tax purposes. See "Federal Income Tax
Consequences" in the Prospectus for additional information concerning the
application of Federal income tax laws to the Trust and the Notes.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit a pension,
profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3)
of ERISA, as well as an individual retirement account, a Keogh plan and any
other plan within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code (each a "Benefit
Plan"), from engaging in
 
                                      S-53

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

certain transactions with persons that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or
"disqualified persons" under the Code with respect to such Benefit Plan. A
violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax or
other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code for such persons or the
fiduciaries of the Benefit Plan. In addition, Title I of ERISA also requires
fiduciaries of a Benefit Plan subject to ERISA to make investments that are
prudent, diversified and in accordance with the governing plan documents.
 
     Certain transactions involving the Trust might be deemed to constitute
prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Code with respect to a Benefit Plan
that purchased Notes if assets of the Trust were deemed to be assets of the
Benefit Plan. Under a regulation issued by the United States Department of Labor
(the "Regulation"), the assets of the Trust would be treated as plan assets of a
Benefit Plan for the purposes of ERISA and the Code only if the Benefit Plan
acquired an "equity interest" in the Trust and none of the exceptions contained
in the Regulation was applicable. An equity interest is defined under the
Regulation as an interest other than an instrument which is treated as
indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no substantial equity
features. Although there is little guidance on the subject, the Seller believes
that, at the time of their issuance, the Notes should be treated as indebtedness
of the Trust without substantial equity features for purposes of the Regulation.
This determination is based in part upon the traditional debt features of the
Notes, including the reasonable expectation of purchasers of Notes that the
Notes will be repaid when due, as well as the absence of conversion rights,
warrants and other typical equity features. The debt treatment of the Notes for
ERISA purposes could change if the Trust incurred losses.
 
     However, without regard to whether the Notes are treated as an equity
interest for purposes of the Regulation, the acquisition or holding of Notes by
or on behalf of a Benefit Plan could be considered to give rise to a prohibited
transaction if the Trust, the Seller, the Servicer, the Owner Trustee or the
Indenture Trustee is or becomes a party in interest or a disqualified person
with respect to such Benefit Plan. Certain exemptions from the prohibited
transaction rules could be applicable to the purchase and holding of Notes by a
Benefit Plan depending on the type and circumstances of the plan fiduciary
making the decision to acquire such Notes. Included among these exemptions are:
Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 96-23, regarding transactions
effected by "in-house asset managers"; PTCE 95-60, regarding investments by
insurance company general accounts; PTCE 90-1, regarding investments by
insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by
bank collective investment funds; and PTCE 84-14, regarding transactions
effected by "qualified professional asset managers." By acquiring a Class A
Note, each initial purchaser, transferee and owner of a beneficial interest will
be deemed to represent that either (i) it is not acquiring the Notes with the
assets of a Benefit Plan; or (ii) the acquisition and holding of the Notes will
not give rise to a nonexempt prohibited transaction under Section 406(a) of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
 
     Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section
3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA)
are not subject to ERISA requirements, however governmental plans may be subject
to comparable state law restrictions.
 
     A plan fiduciary considering the purchase of Notes should consult its legal
advisors regarding whether the assets of the Trust would be considered plan
assets, the possibility of exemptive relief from the prohibited transaction
rules and other issues and their potential consequences.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting
agreement dated July 27, 1998 (the "Underwriting Agreement") among CPS, the
Seller, Samco, Linc and Nomura Securities International, Inc. (the
"Underwriter"), the Seller has agreed to sell to the Underwriter, and the
Underwriter has agreed to purchase, Notes in the following amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF     PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF      PRINCIPAL AMOUNT        PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
   CLASS A-1 NOTES         CLASS A-2 NOTES       OF CLASS A-3 NOTES      OF CLASS A-4 NOTES
- ---------------------   ---------------------   ---------------------   ---------------------
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
     $36,000,000             $92,000,000             $25,000,000             $82,532,000
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-54

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriter
are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriter will
purchase all the Notes offered hereby if any of such Notes are purchased.
 
     CPS and the Seller have been advised by the Underwriter that the
Underwriter proposes to offer the Notes from time to time for sale in negotiated
transactions or otherwise, at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale. The Underwriter has held back from the purchase price payable by the
Underwriter for the Notes an amount included in expenses of the offering to be
applied as necessary to insure that the Underwriter receives underwriting
compensation of 0.25% of the initial principal amount of the Notes and, to the
extent not so applied, to be released to the Seller. The Underwriter may effect
such transactions by selling the Notes to or through dealers and such dealers
may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Underwriter and any purchasers of Notes for whom they may
act as agent. The Underwriter and any dealers that participate with the
Underwriter in the distribution of the Notes may be deemed to be underwriters,
and any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit on the resale
of Notes by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions,
under the Securities Act.
 
     The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Underwriter has advised CPS and the Seller that it intends to act as a
market maker for the Notes. However, the Underwriter is not obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance
can be given as to the liquidity of any trading market for the Notes.
 
     CPS and the Seller have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute
to payments which the Underwriter may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal matters relating to the Securities will be passed upon for
the Seller and the Servicer by Mayer, Brown & Platt, New York, New York. Certain
legal matters relating to the Notes will be passed upon for the Underwriter by
Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New York, New York. Certain legal matters related to
the Policy will be passed upon for the Insurer by Bruce E. Stern, Esq., General
Counsel of the Insurer or an Associate General Counsel of the Insurer.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheets of Financial Security Assurance Inc. and
its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus Supplement, have been incorporated herein in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      S-55


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                                 INDEX OF TERMS

     Set forth below is a list of the defined terms used in this Prospectus
Supplement and the pages on which the definitions of such terms may be found
herein.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Actuarial Receivables.............................................................          35
Affiliate Receivables.............................................................          13
Affiliated Originator.............................................................           4
aggregate risks...................................................................          53
Alpha Program.....................................................................          22
APR...............................................................................       6, 29
Benefit Plan......................................................................      16, 53
Business Day......................................................................       6, 51
Cede..............................................................................   3, 15, 38
Certificates......................................................................        1, 5
Class A Note Majority.............................................................          49
Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount................................          42
Class A Noteholders' Percentage...................................................       8, 42
Class A Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount...............................       7, 42
Class A Notes.....................................................................           1
Class A Target Amount.............................................................       8, 42
Class A-1 Final Scheduled Payment Date............................................           6
Class A-1 Interest Period.........................................................           7
Class A-1 Interest Rate...........................................................           6
Class A-1 Noteholders.............................................................       7, 37
Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................          43
Class A-1 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................          43
Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................          43
Class A-1 Notes...................................................................        1, 4
Class A-1 Pool Factor.............................................................          35
Class A-2 Final Scheduled Payment Date............................................           6
Class A-2 Interest Rate...........................................................           6
Class A-2 Noteholders.............................................................       7, 37
Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................          43
Class A-2 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................          43
Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................          43
Class A-2 Notes...................................................................        1, 4
Class A-2 Pool Factor.............................................................          35
Class A-3 Final Scheduled Payment Date............................................           6
Class A-3 Interest Rate...........................................................           7
Class A-3 Noteholders.............................................................       7, 37
Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................          43
Class A-3 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................          43
Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................          43
Class A-3 Notes...................................................................        1, 4
Class A-3 Pool Factor.............................................................          35
Class A-4 Final Scheduled Payment Date............................................           6
Class A-4 Interest Rate...........................................................           7
Class A-4 Noteholders.............................................................       7, 37
Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................          43
Class A-4 Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................          43
Class A-4 Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................          44
Class A-4 Notes...................................................................        1, 4
Class A-4 Pool Factor.............................................................          35
Closing Date......................................................................           4
Collateral Agent..................................................................          45
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-56

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Collection Account................................................................          40
Collection Period.................................................................           9
Commission........................................................................           2
Contracts.........................................................................          20
CPS Purchase Agreement............................................................           5
CPS Receivables...................................................................           5
CPS...............................................................................        1, 4
Cram Down Loss....................................................................          41
Cutoff Date.......................................................................           5
Dealer Agreements.................................................................          20
Dealers...........................................................................          20
Delta Program.....................................................................          22
Deposit Institutions..............................................................          22
Determination Date................................................................          41
DTC...............................................................................   3, 15, 37
ERISA.............................................................................          53
Events of Default.................................................................          46
Exchange Act......................................................................           2
Federal Tax Counsel...............................................................          15
Final Scheduled Payment Date......................................................           6
Financed Vehicles.................................................................           5
Financial Intermediary............................................................          38
Financial Security................................................................       2, 52
First Target Date.................................................................          11
First Time Buyer Program..........................................................          22
Holders...........................................................................      15, 36
Holdings..........................................................................       2, 52
IFCs..............................................................................           5
Indenture Trustee.................................................................           1
Indenture.........................................................................        1, 5
Initial Spread Account Deposit....................................................          11
Insurance Agreement Event of Default..............................................          49
Insurance Agreement Indenture Cross Default.......................................          46
Insurance Agreement...............................................................          17
Insurer Default...................................................................          49
Insurer...........................................................................    1, 4, 52
Interest Rate.....................................................................           7
Issuer............................................................................           4
Linc Purchase Agreement...........................................................           5
Linc Receivables..................................................................           5
Linc..............................................................................        1, 4
Linc Program......................................................................          22
Liquidated Receivable.............................................................          41
Liquidation Proceeds..............................................................          40
Lock-Box Account..................................................................          12
Lock-Box Bank.....................................................................          12
Lock-Box Processor................................................................          12
Master Spread Account Agreement...................................................          46
Moody's...........................................................................          16
Note Distribution Account.........................................................          40
Note Owners.......................................................................      15, 37
Noteholders.......................................................................   6, 15, 37
Noteholders' Distributable Amount.................................................          42
Notes.............................................................................        1, 4
Obligors..........................................................................          20
Order.............................................................................          51
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-57

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Original Pool Balance.............................................................           5
Originator........................................................................           4
Owner Trustee.....................................................................           1
Participants......................................................................          38
Payment Date......................................................................           6
Policy............................................................................       1, 11
Pool Balance......................................................................          35
Post Office Box...................................................................          12
prepayments.......................................................................          35
Principal Balance.................................................................          41
Principal Distributable Amount....................................................       8, 41
PTCE..............................................................................          54
Purchase Agreements...............................................................           5
Purchase Amount...................................................................          41
Rating Agencies...................................................................          16
Receipt...........................................................................          51
Receivables Pool..................................................................           5
Receivable........................................................................           5
Received..........................................................................          51
Record Date.......................................................................          11
Recoveries........................................................................          41
Registration Statement............................................................           2
Regulation........................................................................          54
Requisite Amount..................................................................          12
Rule of 78's Receivables..........................................................          34
Sale and Servicing Agreement......................................................           5
Samco Purchase Agreement..........................................................           5
Samco Receivables.................................................................           5
Samco.............................................................................        1, 4
Scheduled Payments................................................................      11, 50
Scheduled Receivable Payment......................................................          41
Securities Act....................................................................           2
Securities........................................................................        1, 5
Seller............................................................................        1, 4
Servicer Termination Event........................................................          48
Servicer..........................................................................           4
Servicing Assumption Agreement....................................................          13
Servicing Fee Rate................................................................          13
Simple Interest Receivables.......................................................          34
single risks......................................................................          53
Spread Account....................................................................          45
Standard & Poor's.................................................................          16
Standard Program..................................................................          22
Standby Fee.......................................................................          13
Standby Servicer..................................................................      13, 36
Sub-Prime Borrowers...............................................................      17, 20
Super Alpha Program...............................................................          22
Total Distribution Amount.........................................................          41
Trust Agreement...................................................................           4
Trust Assets......................................................................           5
Trust Documents...................................................................          39
Trustee Fees......................................................................          44
Trust.............................................................................        1, 4
UCC...............................................................................          40
Underwriting Agreement............................................................          52
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-58

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS

                          CPS AUTO RECEIVABLES TRUSTS
       AUTO RECEIVABLES BACKED NOTES AND CERTIFICATES ISSUABLE IN SERIES

                             CPS RECEIVABLES CORP.
                                     Seller

                          CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES
                              Sponsor and Servicer
 
     This Prospectus describes certain Auto Receivables Backed Notes (the
'Notes') and Auto Receivables Backed Certificates (the 'Certificates' and,
together with the Notes, the 'Securities') that may be sold from time to time in
one or more series (each a 'Series'), in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (each, a 'Prospectus Supplement'). Each Series of Securities may
include one or more classes of Notes and one or more classes of Certificates,
which will be issued by a trust to be formed by the Seller for the purpose of
issuing one or more Series of such Securities (each, a 'Trust'). A Trust issuing
Securities as described in this Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement
shall be referred to herein as the 'Issuer.'
 
     Each class of Securities of any Series will evidence beneficial ownership
in a segregated pool of assets (the 'Trust Assets') (such Securities,
Certificates) or will represent indebtedness of the Issuer secured by the Trust
Assets (such Securities, Notes), as described herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The Trust Assets may consist of any combination of retail
installment sales contracts between manufacturers, dealers or certain other
originators and retail purchasers including purchasers who are Sub-Prime
Borrowers (as defined herein). See 'CPS Automobile Contract Portfolio.' The
Trust Assets will be secured by new and used automobiles, light trucks, vans and
minivans financed thereby, and originated by CPS or an Affiliated Originator,
together with all moneys received relating thereto (the 'Contracts'). The Trust
Assets will also include a security interest in the underlying new and used
automobiles light trucks, vans and minivans and property relating thereto,
together with the proceeds thereof (the 'Financed Vehicles' together with the
Contracts, the 'Receivables'). If and to the extent specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, credit enhancement with respect to the Trust Assets or
any class of Securities may include any one or more of the following: a
financial guaranty insurance policy (a 'Policy') issued by an insurer specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement, a reserve account, letters of credit,
credit or liquidity facilities, third party payments or other support, cash
deposits or other arrangements. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing,
credit enhancement may be provided by means of subordination, cross-support
among the Receivables or over-collateralization. See 'Description of the Trust
Documents -- Credit and Cash Flow Enhancement.' Except to the extent that a
Prospectus Supplement for a series provides for a pre-funding period, the
Receivables included in the Trust Assets for a Series will have been originated
or acquired by CPS or an Affiliated Originator on or prior to the date of
issuance of the related Securities, as described herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The Receivables included in a Trust will be serviced by a
servicer (the 'Servicer') as described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Each Series of Securities may include one or more classes (each, a
'Class'). A Series may include one or more Classes of Securities entitled to
principal distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no interest
distributions, or to interest distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or
no principal distributions. The rights of one or more Classes of Securities of
any Series may be senior or subordinate to the rights of one or more of the
other Classes of Securities. A Series may include two or more Classes of
Securities which may differ as to the timing, order or priority of payment,
interest rate or amount of distributions of principal or interest or both.
Information regarding each Class of Securities of a Series, together with
certain characteristics of the related Receivables, will be set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement. The rate of payment in respect of principal of
the Securities of any Class will depend on the priority of payment of such Class
and the rate and timing of payments (including prepayments, defaults,
liquidations or repurchases of Receivables) on the related Receivables. A rate
of payment lower or higher than that anticipated may affect the weighted average
life of each Class of Securities in the manner described herein and in the
related Prospectus Supplement. See 'Description of the Securities.'
 
     PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER THE FACTORS SET FORTH UNDER 'RISK
FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 13 HEREIN AND IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
THE NOTES OF A GIVEN SERIES REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF THE ISSUER ONLY AND DO NOT
REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF CPS, ANY SELLER, ANY SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. THE CERTIFICATES OF A GIVEN SERIES REPRESENT BENEFICIAL
INTERESTS IN THE RELATED TRUST ONLY AND DO NOT REPRESENT INTERESTS IN OR
OBLIGATIONS OF CPS, ANY SELLER, ANY SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE
AFFILIATES. NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR THE UNDERLYING RECEIVABLES WILL BE
GUARANTEED OR INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR BY CPS,
ANY SELLER, ANY SERVICER, ANY TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES,
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THESE SECURITIES HAVE
NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
     Offers of the Securities may be made through one or more different methods,
including offerings through underwriters as more fully described under 'Plan of
Distribution' herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement. Prior to
issuance, there will have been no market for the Securities of any Series, and
there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Securities will
develop, or if it does develop, it will continue.
 
     Retain this Prospectus for future reference. This Prospectus may not be
used to consummate sales of Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER 16, 1997.
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
     The Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series of Securities to be offered
hereunder, among other things, will set forth with respect to such Series of
Securities: (i) a description of the Class or Classes of such Securities, (ii)
the rate of interest, the 'Interest Rate' or other applicable rate (or the
manner of determining such rate) and authorized denominations of each Class of
such Securities; (iii) certain information concerning the Receivables and
insurance polices, cash accounts, letters of credit, financial guaranty
insurance policies, third party guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement,
if any, relating to one or more pools of Receivables or all or part of the
related Securities; (iv) the specified interest, if any, of each Class of
Securities in, and manner and priority of, the distributions from the Trust
Assets; (v) information as to the nature and extent of subordination with
respect to such Series of Securities, if any; (vi) the payment date to
Securityholders; (vii) information regarding the Servicer(s) for the related
Receivables; (viii) the circumstances, if any, under which the Trust Assets may
be subject to early termination; (ix) information regarding tax considerations;
and (x) additional information with respect to the method of distribution of
such Securities.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     This Prospectus, together with the Prospectus Supplement for each Series of
Securities, contains a summary of the material terms of the applicable exhibits
to the Registration Statement and the documents referred to herein and therein.
Copies of such exhibits are on file at the offices of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the 'Commission') in Washington, D.C., and may be obtained
at rates prescribed by the Commission upon request to the Commission and may be
inspected, without charge, at the Commission's offices.
 
     The Sponsor has also filed with the Commission a Registration Statement
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, referred to herein as the
'Registration Statement') under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
'Securities Act'), with respect to the Securities offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. For further information, reference is made to the Registration
Statement which may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549;
and at the Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison, 14th Floor,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a web site at
http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy statements, information statements
and other information regarding registrants, including CPS, that file
electronically with Commission.
 
     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation other than those contained in this Prospectus and any Prospectus
Supplement with respect hereto and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon. This Prospectus and any Prospectus
Supplement with respect hereto do not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the Securities offered
hereby and thereby, nor an offer of the Securities to any person in any state or
other jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful. The delivery of this
Prospectus at any time does not imply that information herein is correct as of
any time subsequent to its date.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     All documents subsequently filed by the Sponsor with respect to the
Registration Statement, either on its own behalf or on behalf of a Trust,
relating to any Series of Securities referred to in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement, with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'), after the
date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering of the
Securities issued by the Issuer, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of the
filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for
 
                                       2
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein (or
in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement) or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein,
modifies or replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
                           REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
 
     So long as the Securities of a Series are in book-entry form, monthly and
annual reports concerning the Securities and the Trust will be sent by the
applicable Trustee to Cede & Co., as the nominee of DTC and as registered holder
of the Securities pursuant to the related Indenture. DTC will supply such
reports to Securityholders in accordance with its procedures. To the extent
required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each Trust will
provide financial information to the Securityholders which has been examined and
reported upon, with an opinion expressed by, an independent public accountant;
to the extent not so required, such financial information will be unaudited.
Each Trust will be formed to own the Receivables, hold and administer the
Pre-Funding Account, if any, to issue the Securities and to acquire the
Subsequent Receivables, if available. No Trust will have any assets or
obligations prior to issuance of the Securities and no Trust will engage in any
activities other than those described herein. Accordingly, no financial
statements with respect to the related Trust will be included in any Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                                       3








<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
                                SUMMARY OF TERMS
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and by reference to
the information with respect to the Securities of any Series contained in the
related Prospectus Supplement to be prepared and delivered in connection with
the offering of such Securities. Certain capitalized terms used in the summary
are defined elsewhere in the Prospectus on the pages indicated in the 'Index of
Terms.'
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Issuer....................................  With respect to any Series of Securities, a trust (each, a 'Trust')
                                            to be formed pursuant to a trust agreement (the 'Trust Agreement' )
                                            between the Seller and the trustee for such trust. A Trust issuing
                                            Securities pursuant to this Prospectus and the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement shall be referred to herein as the 'Issuer' with respect
                                            to the related Securities.

Seller....................................  CPS Receivables Corp. or another special-purpose subsidiary of CPS
                                            (each, a 'Seller'). See 'The Seller and CPS.'

Sponsor...................................  Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. ('CPS' or the 'Sponsor'). See
                                            'CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio' and 'The Seller and CPS.'

Servicer..................................  The entity named as Servicer in the related Prospectus Supplement
                                            (the 'Servicer'). Each Prospectus Supplement will specify whether the
                                            Servicer will service the Receivables in the related Receivables Pool
                                            directly or indirectly through one or more subservicers (each, a
                                            'Subservicer').

Trustee...................................  The Trustee for each Series of Securities will be specified in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement. In addition, a Trust may separately
                                            enter into an Indenture and may issue Notes pursuant to such
                                            Indenture; in any such case, the Trust and the Indenture will be
                                            administered by separate, independent trustees as required by the
                                            rules and regulations under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the
                                            Investment Company Act of 1940.

The Securities............................  Each Class of Securities of any Series will either evidence
                                            beneficial interests in a segregated pool of assets (the 'Trust
                                            Assets') (such Securities, 'Certificates') or will represent
                                            indebtedness of the Trust secured by the Trust Assets (such
                                            Securities, 'Notes'), as described herein and in the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement.
                                            With respect to Securities that represent debt issued by the Trust,
                                            the Trust will enter into an indenture (each, an 'Indenture') by and
                                            between the Trust and the trustee named in such Indenture (the
                                            'Indenture Trustee' or 'Trustee'). Each Indenture will describe the
                                            related pool of Receivables comprising the Trust Assets and securing
                                            the debt issued by the related Issuer. The Receivables comprising the
                                            Trust Assets will be serviced by the Servicer pursuant to a servicing
                                            agreement (each, a 'Servicing Agreement') by and between the Servicer
                                            and the related Issuer. In the case of the Trust Assets of any class
                                            of Securities, the contractual arrangements relating to the
                                            establishment of a Trust, if any, the servicing of the related
                                            Receivables and the issuance of the related
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                                       4
 



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                                            Securities may be contained in a single agreement, or in several
                                            agreements which combine certain aspects of the Trust Agreement, the
                                            Servicing Agreement and the Indenture described above (for example, a
                                            servicing and collateral management agreement). For purposes of this
                                            Prospectus, the term 'Trust Documents' as used with respect to Trust
                                            Assets means, collectively, and except as otherwise described in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement, any and all agreements relating to the
                                            establishment of a Trust, if any, the servicing of the related
                                            Receivables and the issuance of the related Securities. The term
                                            'Trustee' means any and all persons acting as a trustee pursuant to a
                                            Trust Agreement.

                                            Securities Will Be Non-Recourse. The Securities will not be
                                            obligations, either recourse or non-recourse, of CPS, any Seller, the
                                            related Servicer or any person other than the related Issuer. The
                                            Notes of a given Series represent obligations of the Issuer, and the
                                            Certificates of a given Series represent beneficial interests in the
                                            related Issuer only and do not represent interests in or obligations
                                            of CPS, any Seller, the related Servicer or any of their respective
                                            affiliates other than the related Issuer. In the case of Securities
                                            that represent beneficial ownership interest in the related Issuer,
                                            such Securities will represent the beneficial ownership interests in
                                            such Issuer and the sole source of payment will be the assets of such
                                            Issuer. In the case of Securities that represent debt issued by the
                                            related Issuer, such Securities will be secured by assets in the
                                            related Trust Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as to be
                                            described in the related Prospectus Supplement, certain types of
                                            credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, financial guaranty
                                            insurance policy or reserve fund may constitute a full recourse
                                            obligation of the issuer of such credit enhancement.

                                            General Payment Terms of Securities. As provided in the related Trust
                                            Documents and as described in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
                                            holders of the Securities ('Securityholders') will be entitled to
                                            receive payments on their Securities on specified dates (each, a
                                            'Payment Date'). Payment Dates with respect to Securities will occur
                                            monthly, quarterly or semi-annually, as described in the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement. The related Prospectus Supplement will
                                            describe a date (the 'Record Date') preceding such Payment Date, as
                                            of which the Trustee or its paying agent will fix the identity of the
                                            Securityholders for the purpose of receiving payments on the next
                                            succeeding Payment Date. As described in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, the Payment Date will be a specified day of each month,
                                            (or, in the case of quarterly-pay Securities, a specified day of
                                            every third month; and in the case of semi-annual pay Securities, a
                                            specified day of every sixth month) and the Record Date will be the
                                            close of business as of a specified day preceding such Payment Date.
                                            Each Indenture and Trust Agreement will describe a period (each, a
                                            'Collection Period') preceding each Payment Date
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<PAGE>
 
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                                            (for example, in the case of monthly-pay Securities, the calendar
                                            month preceding the month in which a Payment Date occurs). As more
                                            fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement, collections
                                            received on or with respect to the related Receivables constituting
                                            Trust Assets during a Collection Period will be required to be
                                            remitted by the Servicer to the related Trustee prior to the related
                                            Payment Date and will be used to fund payments to Securityholders on
                                            such Payment Date. As may be described in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, the related Trust Documents may provide that all or a
                                            portion of the payments collected on or with respect to the related
                                            Receivables may be applied by the related Trustee to the acquisition
                                            of additional Receivables during a specified period (rather than be
                                            used to fund payments of principal to Securityholders during such
                                            period), with the result that the related Securities will possess an
                                            interest-only period, also commonly referred to as a revolving
                                            period, which will be followed by an amortization period. Any such
                                            interest only or revolving period may, upon the occurrence of certain
                                            events to be described in the related Prospectus Supplement,
                                            terminate prior to the end of the specified period and result in the
                                            earlier than expected amortization of the related Securities. In
                                            addition, and as may be described in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, the related Trust Documents may provide that all or a
                                            portion of such collected payments may be retained by the Trustee
                                            (and held in certain Eligible Investments, including Receivables) for
                                            a specified period prior to being used to fund payments of principal
                                            to Securityholders. Such retention and temporary investment by the
                                            Trustee of such collected payments may be required by the related
                                            Trust Documents for the purpose of (a) slowing the amortization rate
                                            of the related Securities relative to the installment payment
                                            schedule of the related Receivables, or (b) attempting to match the
                                            amortization rate of the related Securities to an amortization
                                            schedule established at the time such Securities are issued. Any such
                                            feature applicable to any Securities may terminate upon the
                                            occurrence of events to be described in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, resulting in distributions to the specified
                                            Securityholders and an acceleration of the amortization of such
                                            Securities. As more fully specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, neither the Securities nor the underlying Receivables
                                            will be guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or
                                            instrumentality or CPS, any Seller, the related Servicer, any
                                            Trustee, or any of their respective affiliates.

                                            Each Series of Securities will be issued pursuant to the related
                                            Indenture, in the case of the Notes, and pursuant to the related
                                            Trust Agreement, in the case of the Certificates. The related
                                            Prospectus Supplement will specify which Class or Classes of
                                            Securities of the related Series are being offered thereby.
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                                       6
 



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                                            Each Class of Securities will have a stated security balance (the
                                            'Security Balance') and will accrue interest on such Security Balance
                                            at a specified rate (with respect to each Class of Securities the
                                            'Interest Rate') as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
                                            Each Class of Securities may have a different Interest Rate, which
                                            may be a fixed, variable or adjustable Interest Rate, or any
                                            combination of the foregoing. The related Prospectus Supplement will
                                            specify the Interest Rate, or the method for determining the
                                            applicable Interest Rate, for each Class of Securities.
                                            A Series of Securities may include two or more Classes of Securities
                                            that differ as to timing and priority of distributions, seniority,
                                            allocations of losses, Interest Rate or amount of distributions in
                                            respect of principal or interest. Additionally, distributions in
                                            respect of principal or interest in respect of any such Class or
                                            Classes may or may not be made upon the occurrence of specified
                                            events or on the basis of collections from designated portions of the
                                            related Receivables Pool. If specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, one or more Classes of Securities ('Strip Securities')
                                            may be entitled to (i) principal distributions with disproportionate,
                                            nominal or no interest distributions or (ii) interest distributions
                                            with disproportionate, nominal or no principal distributions. If
                                            specified in the related Prospectus Supplement a Series may include
                                            one or more Classes of Securities ('Accrual Securities'), as to which
                                            certain accrued interest will not be distributed but rather will be
                                            added to the principal balance (or nominal balance, in the case of
                                            Accrual Securities which are also Strip Securities) thereof on each
                                            Payment Date or in the manner described in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement. If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
                                            Series may include one or more other Classes of Securities
                                            (collectively, the 'Senior Securities') that are senior to one or
                                            more other Classes of Securities (collectively, the 'Subordinate
                                            Securities') in respect of certain distributions of principal and
                                            interest and allocations of losses on Receivables. In addition,
                                            certain Classes of Senior (or Subordinate) Securities may be senior
                                            to other Classes of Senior (or Subordinate) Securities in respect of
                                            such distributions or losses. See 'Description of the
                                            Securities -- General Payment Terms of the Securities.'

                                            Securities will be available for purchase in the minimum denomination
                                            specified in the related Prospectus Supplement and will be available
                                            in book-entry form unless the related Prospectus Supplement provides
                                            only for Definitive Securities. Securityholders will only be able to
                                            receive Definitive Securities in the limited circumstances described
                                            herein or in the related Prospectus Supplement. See 'Description of
                                            the Securities -- Definitive Notes'.
                                            If the Servicer or any Subservicer exercises its option to purchase
                                            the Receivables of a Trust (or if not and, if and to the extent
                                            provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, satisfactory bids for
                                            the purchase of such Receivables are
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                                            received), in the manner and on the respective terms and conditions
                                            described under 'Description of the Trust Documents -- Termination,'
                                            the Securities will be prepaid as set forth in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement. In addition, if the related Prospectus Supplement
                                            provides that the property of a Trust will include a Pre-Funding
                                            Account that will be used to purchase additional Receivables after
                                            the applicable Closing Date, one or more Classes of Securities may be
                                            subject to a partial prepayment of principal at or immediately
                                            following the end of the period specified in such Prospectus
                                            Supplement for the purchase of such additional Receivables, in the
                                            manner and to the extent specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement.

The Residual Interest.....................  With respect to each Trust, the 'Residual Interest' at any time
                                            represents the rights to the related Trust Assets in excess of the
                                            Securityholders' interest of all Series then outstanding that were
                                            issued by such Trust. The Residual Interest in any Trust Assets will
                                            fluctuate as the aggregate Pool Balance (as hereinafter defined) of
                                            such Trust changes from time to time. A portion of the Residual
                                            Interest in any Trust may be sold separately in one or more public or
                                            private transactions.

Cross-Collateralization...................  As described in the related Trust Documents and the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement, the source of payment for Securities of each
                                            Series will be the assets of the related Trust only. However, as may
                                            be described in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Series or Class
                                            of Securities may include the right to receive moneys from a common
                                            pool of credit enhancement which may be available for more than one
                                            Series of Securities, such as a master reserve account, master
                                            insurance policy or a master collateral pool consisting of similar
                                            Receivables. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as described in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement, no payment received on any Receivable
                                            held by any Trust may be applied to the payment of Securities issued
                                            by any other Trust (except to the limited extent that certain
                                            collections in excess of the amounts needed to pay the related
                                            Securities may be deposited in a common master reserve account or an
                                            overcollateralization account that provides credit enhancement for
                                            more than one Series of Securities issued pursuant to the related
                                            Trust Documents).

Trust Assets..............................  The property of each Trust will include a pool of simple interest or
                                            Rule of 78's motor vehicle installment sale contracts or motor
                                            vehicle installment loans secured by new and used automobiles, light
                                            trucks, vans and minivans (the 'Receivables'), including the right to
                                            receive payments received or due on or with respect to such
                                            Receivables on or after the date or dates specified in the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement (each, a 'Cutoff Date'), security interests in
                                            the vehicles financed thereby (the 'Financed Vehicles'), and any
                                            proceeds from claims under certain related insurance policies. See
                                            'The Receivables -- The Receivables.' On the date of issuance of a
                                            Series of Securities specified in the related
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                                       8
 



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                                            Prospectus Supplement (the 'Closing Date' for such Series), the
                                            applicable Seller will convey Receivables having the aggregate
                                            principal balance specified in such Prospectus Supplement as of the
                                            Cutoff Date specified therein to such Trust pursuant to a sale and
                                            servicing agreement (the 'Sale and Servicing Agreement') among the
                                            Seller, the Servicer and the Trustee of such Trust. The property of
                                            each Trust also will include amounts on deposit in, or certain rights
                                            with respect to, certain trust accounts, including the related
                                            Collection Account, any Pre-Funding Account and any other account
                                            identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. See 'Description
                                            of the Trust Documents -- Accounts.'

                                            If the related Prospectus Supplement provides that the property of a
                                            Trust will include moneys, in any case not to exceed 34% of the
                                            Trust's Assets or 25% of the Certificate Balance, if any, initially
                                            deposited into an account (a 'Pre-Funding Account'), such moneys will
                                            be used to purchase additional Receivables after the Closing Date,
                                            the Seller will be obligated pursuant to the Sale and Servicing
                                            Agreement to sell additional Receivables (the 'Subsequent
                                            Receivables') to the related Trust, subject only to the availability
                                            thereof, having an aggregate principal balance approximately equal to
                                            the amount deposited to the Pre-Funding Account on the Closing Date
                                            (the 'Pre-Funded Amount'), and the Trust will be obligated to
                                            purchase such Subsequent Receivables (subject to the satisfaction of
                                            certain conditions set forth in the related Trust Documents) from
                                            time to time during the period (the 'Funding Period'), not to exceed
                                            6 months, specified in such Prospectus Supplement for the purchase of
                                            such Subsequent Receivables. Any Subsequent Receivables conveyed to a
                                            Trust will have been acquired by the Seller, directly or indirectly,
                                            from CPS or a subsidiary of CPS (such subsidiary, an 'Affiliated
                                            Originator') and will meet all of the credit, underwriting and other
                                            criteria set forth herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
                                            Any funds on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account and not yet invested
                                            in Subsequent Receivables will be invested in Permitted Investments.
                                            See 'Risk Factors -- Varying Characteristics of Subsequent
                                            Receivables,' 'The Receivables,' and 'Description of the Trust
                                            Documents -- Sale and Assignment of Receivables' herein and 'The
                                            Receivables Pool' in the related Prospectus Supplement.

                                            As used in this Prospectus, the term Receivables will include the
                                            Receivables transferred to a Trust on the related Closing Date (such
                                            Receivables, the 'Initial Receivables') as well as any Subsequent
                                            Receivables transferred to such Trust during the related Funding
                                            Period, if any.

                                            Amounts on deposit in any Pre-Funding Account during the related
                                            Funding Period will be invested by the Trustee (as directed by the
                                            Servicer) in Eligible Investments, and any resultant investment
                                            income, less any related investment expenses ('Investment Income'),
                                            will be added, on the
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                                            Payment Date immediately following the date on which such Investment
                                            Income is paid to the Trust, to interest collections on the
                                            Receivables for the related Collection Period and distributed in the
                                            manner specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Any funds
                                            remaining in a Pre-Funding Account at the end of the related Funding
                                            Period will be distributed as a prepayment or early distribution of
                                            principal to holders of one or more classes of the Securities of the
                                            related Series of Securities, in the amounts and in accordance with
                                            the payment priorities specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement. Such distribution may affect the yield realized by
                                            Securityholders and Securityholders may not be able to reinvest those
                                            funds in investments realizing comparable returns. See 'Risk
                                            Factors -- Distribution of Pre-Funded Amount -- Effect on Yield and
                                            Maturity.'

Registration of Securities................  Securities may be represented by global securities registered in the
                                            name of Cede & Co. ('Cede'), as nominee of The Depository Trust
                                            Company ('DTC'), or another nominee of DTC. In such case,
                                            Securityholders will not be entitled to receive definitive securities
                                            representing such Securityholders' interests. See 'Description of the
                                            Securities -- Book-Entry Registration' herein.

Credit and Cash Flow
  Enhancement.............................  If and to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
                                            credit enhancement with respect to the Trust Assets or any Class of
                                            Securities may include any one or more of the following:
                                            subordination of one or more other classes of Securities of the same
                                            Series, reserve funds, spread accounts, surety bonds, insurance
                                            policies, letters of credit, credit or liquidity facilities, cash
                                            collateral accounts, over-collateralization, guaranteed investment
                                            contracts, swaps or other interest rate protection agreements,
                                            repurchase obligations, other agreements with respect to third party
                                            payments or other support, cash deposits, or other arrangements. To
                                            the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a form of
                                            credit enhancement with respect to a Trust or a Class or Classes of
                                            Securities may be subject to certain limitations and exclusions from
                                            coverage thereunder.

Repurchase Obligations and the Receivables
  Acquisition Agreement...................  As more fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement, CPS
                                            will be obligated to acquire from the related Trust Assets any
                                            Receivable which was transferred pursuant to a Sale and Servicing
                                            Agreement or Purchase Agreement or pledged pursuant to an Indenture
                                            if the interest of the Securityholders therein is materially
                                            adversely affected by a breach of any representation or warranty made
                                            by CPS with respect to such Receivable, which breach has not been
                                            cured. In addition, if so specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, CPS may from time to time reacquire certain Receivables
                                            of the Trust Assets, subject to specified conditions set forth in the
                                            related Trust Documents.
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Servicer's Compensation...................  The Servicer shall be entitled to receive a fee for servicing the
                                            Trust Assets equal to a specified percentage of the value of such
                                            Trust Assets, as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. See
                                            'Description of the Trust Documents -- Servicing Compensation' herein
                                            and in the related Prospectus Supplement.

Optional Termination......................  The Servicer, CPS, or, if specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement, certain other entities may, at their respective options,
                                            effect early retirement of a Series of Securities under the
                                            circumstances and in the manner set forth herein under 'Description
                                            of The Trust Documents -- Termination' and in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement.

Mandatory Termination.....................  The Trustee, the Servicer or certain other entities specified in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement may be required to effect early
                                            retirement of all or any portion of a Series of Securities by
                                            soliciting competitive bids for the purchase of the Trust Assets or
                                            otherwise, under the circumstances and in the manner specified in
                                            'Description of The Trust Documents -- Termination' and in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement.

Tax Considerations........................  Upon the issuance of each series of Securities, unless the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement does not so provide, Federal Tax Counsel to the
                                            applicable Trust will deliver an opinion to the effect that, for
                                            Federal income tax purposes: (i) either (x) the Notes of such series
                                            will be characterized as debt or (y) the Notes of such series should
                                            be characterized as debt (but if not characterized as debt, the Notes
                                            of such series will be characterized as interests in a partnership)
                                            and (ii) such Trust will not be characterized as an association (or
                                            publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation. Each
                                            Noteholder, by the acceptance of a Note of a given series, will agree
                                            to treat such Note as indebtedness, and each Certificateholder, by
                                            the acceptance of a Certificate of a given series, will agree to
                                            treat the related Trust as a partnership in which such
                                            Certificateholder is a partner, for Federal income tax purposes.
                                            Alternative characterizations of such Trust and such Certificates are
                                            possible, but would not result in materially adverse tax consequences
                                            to Certificateholders. See 'Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences'
                                            for additional information concerning the application of Federal
                                            income tax laws to the Notes and Certificates of a series and to the
                                            applicable Trust.

ERISA Considerations......................  The Prospectus Supplement for each Series of Securities will
                                            summarize, subject to the limitations discussed therein, consid-
                                            erations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
                                            as amended ('ERISA'), relevant to the purchase of such Securities by
                                            employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts. See 'ERISA
                                            Considerations' in the related Prospectus Supplement.

Ratings...................................  Each Class of Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus and the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement will be rated in one of the four
                                            highest rating categories by one or more 'national statistical rating
                                            organizations', as defined in the Securities
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                                            Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'), and commonly
                                            referred to as 'Rating Agencies.' Such ratings will address, in the
                                            opinion of such Rating Agencies, the likelihood that the Issuer will
                                            be able to make timely payment of all amounts due on the related
                                            Securities in accordance with the terms thereof. Such ratings will
                                            neither address any prepayment or yield considerations applicable to
                                            any Securities nor constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold
                                            any Securities. The ratings expected to be received with respect to
                                            any Securities will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supple-
                                            ment.
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                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective Securityholders should consider, among other things, the
following factors in connection with the purchase of the Securities:
 
     Sub-Prime Obligors. The Obligors on the Receivables to be conveyed to a
Trust will include 'sub-prime' borrowers who have limited or adverse credit
histories, low income or past credit problems and, therefore, are unable to
obtain financing from traditional sources of consumer credit. The average
interest rate charged by CPS to such 'sub-prime' borrowers is generally higher
than that charged to more creditworthy customers. The payment experience on
receivables of obligors with this credit profile is likely to be different from
that on receivables of traditional auto financing sources in that default rates
are likely to be higher. In addition, the payment experience on such receivables
is likely to be more sensitive to changes in the economic climate in the areas
in which such obligors reside. As a result of the credit profile of the obligors
and the APRs of such receivables, the historical credit loss and delinquency
rates on such receivables are generally higher than those experienced by banks
and the captive finance companies of the automobile manufacturers.
 
     Effect of Social, Economic and Other Factors on Losses. The ability of the
Obligors to make payments on the Receivables, as well as the prepayment
experience thereon, will be affected by a variety of social and economic
factors. Economic factors include interest rates, unemployment levels, the rate
of inflation and consumer perceptions of economic conditions generally. However,
the Seller is unable to determine and has no basis to predict whether or to what
extent economic or social factors will affect the Receivables.
 
     Risk of Replacing CPS as Servicer. CPS Servicing receivables of sub-prime
obligors is more difficult than servicing receivables of prime obligors.
Officers and employees of CPS have many years of experience in this type of
servicing. If CPS were to cease acting as Servicer, delays in processing
payments on the Receivables and information in respect thereof could occur and
result in delays in payments to the Securityholders.
 
     Risk of CPS's Inability to Repurchase Receivables. In certain
circumstances, CPS will be required to acquire Receivables from the related
Trust with respect to which such representations and warranties have been
breached. In the event that CPS is incapable of complying with its repurchase
obligations and no other party is obligated to perform or satisfy such
obligations, Securityholders of the applicable Trust may be subject to delays in
receiving payments and suffer loss of their investment in the Securities.
 
     The related Prospectus Supplement will set forth certain information
regarding CPS. In addition, CPS is subject to the information requirements of
the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other
information with the Commission. For further information regarding CPS reference
is made to such reports and other information which are available as described
under 'Available Information.'
 
     Effect of Prepayments on Yield and Maturity. All of the Receivables are
prepayable at any time. The rate of prepayments on the Receivables may be
influenced by a variety of economic, social and other factors, including the
fact that an Obligor generally may not sell or transfer the Financed Vehicle
securing a receivable without the consent of CPS. (For this purpose the term
'prepayments' includes prepayments in full, certain partial prepayments related
to refunds of extended service contract costs and unearned insurance premiums,
liquidations due to default, as well as receipts of proceeds from physical
damage, credit life and credit accident and health insurance policies and
certain other Receivables repurchased for administrative reasons.) The rate of
prepayment on the Receivables may also be influenced by the structure of the
loan, the nature of the Obligors and the Financed Vehicles and servicing
decisions as discussed above. In addition, under certain circumstances, CPS is
obligated to repurchase Receivables as a result of breaches of representations
and warranties, and under certain circumstances the Servicer is obligated to
purchase Receivables pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement as a result of
breaches of certain covenants. Subject to certain conditions, the Servicer also
has the right to purchase the Receivables when the aggregate principal balance
thereof is 10% or less of the aggregate principal balance thereof on the Cutoff
Date. Any reinvestment risks resulting from a faster or slower incidence of
prepayment of Receivables will be borne entirely by the Securityholders.
 
                                       13
 



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     The rate of prepayments of Receivables cannot be predicted and is
influenced by a wide variety of economic, social, and other factors, including
prevailing interest rates, the availability of alternate financing and local and
regional economic conditions. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the
level of prepayments that a Trust will experience.
 
     Securityholders should consider, in the case of Securities purchased at a
discount, the risk that a slower than anticipated rate of prepayments on the
Receivables could result in an actual yield that is less than the anticipated
yield and, in the case of any Securities purchased at a premium, the risk that a
faster than anticipated rate of prepayments on the Receivables could result in
an actual yield that is less than the anticipated yield.
 
     Distribution of Pre-Funded Amount -- Effect on Yield and Maturity. If so
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, on the Closing Date the Seller
will deposit the Pre-Funded Amount specified in such Prospectus Supplement into
the Pre-Funding Account. The Pre-Funded Amount will be used to purchase
Subsequent Receivables from the Seller (which, in turn, will acquire such
Subsequent Receivables from CPS or an Affiliated Originator specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement) from time to time during the related Funding
Period. During the related Funding Period and until such amounts are applied by
the Trustee to purchase Subsequent Receivables, amounts on deposit in the
Pre-Funding Account will be invested by the Trustee (as instructed by the
Servicer) in Eligible Investments, and any investment income with respect
thereto (net of any related investment expenses) will be added to amounts
received on or in respect of the Receivables during the related Collection
Period and allocated to interest and will be distributed on the Payment Date
pursuant to the payment priorities specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     To the extent that the entire Pre-Funded Amount has not been applied to the
purchase of Subsequent Receivables by the end of the related Funding Period, any
amounts remaining in the Pre-Funding Account will be distributed as a prepayment
of principal to Securityholders on the Payment Date at or immediately following
the end of the Funding Period, in the amounts and pursuant to the priorities set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Any such prepayment of principal
could have the effect of shortening the weighted average life of the Securities
of the related Series. In addition, holders of the related Securities will bear
the risk that they may be unable to reinvest any such principal prepayment at
yields at least equal to the yield on such Securities.
 
     Varying Characteristics of Subsequent Receivables. If so provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Seller will be obligated pursuant to the
Trust Documents to sell Subsequent Receivables to the Trust, and the Trust will
be obligated to purchase such Subsequent Receivables, subject only to the
satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Trust Documents and
described in the related Prospectus Supplement. If the principal amount of the
eligible Subsequent Receivables acquired by the Seller from CPS or an Affiliated
Originator during a Funding Period is less than the Pre-Funded Amount, the
Seller may have insufficient Subsequent Receivables to transfer to a Trust and
holders of one or more Classes of the related Series of Securities may receive a
prepayment or early distribution of principal at the end of the Funding Period
as described above under 'Pre-Funding Accounts.'
 
     Any conveyance of Subsequent Receivables to a Trust is subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the related transfer date (each, a 'Subsequent
Transfer Date'), of the following conditions precedent, among others: (i) each
such Subsequent Receivable must satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in
the related Purchase Agreement; (ii) the Seller shall not have selected such
Subsequent Receivables in a manner that is adverse to the interests of holders
of the related Securities; (iii) as of the respective Cutoff Dates for such
Subsequent Receivables, all of the Receivables in the Trust, including the
Subsequent Receivables to be conveyed to the Trust as of such date, must satisfy
the parameters described under 'The Receivables Pools' herein and 'The
Receivables Pool' in the related Prospectus Supplement; and (iv) the Seller must
execute and deliver to such Trust a written assignment conveying such Subsequent
Receivables to such Trust. In addition, as and to the extent specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the conveyance of Subsequent Receivables to a
Trust is subject to the satisfaction of the condition precedent, among others,
that the Seller deliver certain legal opinions to the related Trustee with
respect to the validity of the conveyance of the Subsequent Receivables to the
Trust. If any such conditions precedent are not met with respect to any
Subsequent Receivables, CPS or
 
                                       14
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
the Seller, as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, will be required
to repurchase such Subsequent Receivables from the related Trust, at a purchase
price equal to the related Purchase Amounts therefor.
 
     Except as described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement, there
will be no other required characteristics of Subsequent Receivables. Therefore,
the characteristics of the entire Receivables Pool included in any Trust may
vary significantly as Subsequent Receivables are conveyed to such Trust from
time to time during the Funding Period or Revolving Period. See 'The
Receivables' herein.
 
     Certain Legal Aspects -- Lack of Perfected Security Interests in Financed
Vehicles. The transfer of the Receivables by the applicable Seller to the
Trustee pursuant to the related Sale and Servicing Agreement, perfection of the
security interests in the Receivables and the enforcement of rights to realize
on the Financed Vehicles as collateral for the Receivables are subject to a
number of federal and state laws, including the UCC as in effect in various
states. To the extent specified in a Prospectus Supplement, no action will be
taken to perfect the rights of the Trustee in proceeds of any VSI insurance
policy insurance policies covering individual Financed Vehicles or Obligors.
Therefore, the rights of a third party with an interest in such proceeds could
prevail against the rights of the Trust prior to the time such proceeds are
deposited by the Servicer into a Trust Account (as hereinafter defined). See
'Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables.'
 
     In connection with each sale of Receivables, security interests in the
Financed Vehicles securing the Receivables will be assigned by CPS and each
Affiliated Originator to the Seller. Due to the administrative burden and
expense of retitling each of the Financed Vehicles in the appropriate state, the
certificates of title to the Financed Vehicles will not be amended or reissued
to reflect the assignment to the Trust. In the absence of such an amendment or
reissuance, the Trust may not have a perfected security interest in the Financed
Vehicles securing the Receivables in some states. By virtue of the assignment of
the applicable Purchase Agreement to the related Trust, CPS will be obligated to
repurchase any Receivable sold to the Trust by CPS or an Affiliated Originator
as to which there did not exist on the Closing Date a perfected security
interest in the name of CPS or the relevant Affiliated Originator in the
Financed Vehicle, and the Servicer will be obligated to purchase any Receivable
sold to the Trust as to which it failed to maintain a perfected security
interest in the name of CPS or the relevant Affiliated Originator in the
Financed Vehicle securing such Receivable if, in either case, such breach
materially and adversely affects such Receivable and if such failure or breach
is not cured prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period. To the
extent the security interest of CPS or the Affiliated Originator is perfected,
the Trust will have a prior claim over subsequent purchasers of such Financed
Vehicle and holders of subsequently perfected security interests. However, as
against liens for repairs of a Financed Vehicle or for taxes unpaid by an
Obligor under a Receivable, or through fraud, forgery, negligence or error, CPS
or the Affiliated Originator, and therefore the Trust, could lose the priority
of its security interest or its security interest in a Financed Vehicle. Neither
CPS nor the Servicer will have any obligation to purchase a Receivable as to
which a lien for repairs of a Financed Vehicle or for taxes unpaid by an Obligor
under a Receivable result in losing the priority of the security interest in
such Financed Vehicle after the Closing Date. See 'Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables -- Security Interests in the Financed Vehicles.'
 
     Consumer Protection Laws. Federal and state consumer protection laws impose
requirements on creditors in connection with extensions of credit and
collections of retail installment loans, and certain of these laws make an
assignee of such a loan (such as a Trust) liable to the obligor thereon for any
violation by the lender. To the extent specified herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement, CPS will be obligated to repurchase any Receivable that
fails to comply with such legal requirements from the Seller and the Seller
shall be obligated to repurchase such Receivable from the Trust, and the Seller
and the Servicer will undertake to enforce such obligation on behalf of the
Trust. See 'Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables -- Consumer Protection
Laws.'
 
     Non-Consolidation. Each Seller has taken or will take steps in structuring
the transactions contemplated hereby that are intended to ensure that the
voluntary or involuntary application for relief by CPS under the United States
Bankruptcy Code or similar state laws ('Insolvency Laws') will not result in
consolidation of the assets and liabilities of the Seller with those of CPS.
These steps include
 
                                       15
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
the creation of each Seller as a separate, limited-purpose subsidiary pursuant
to articles of incorporation containing certain limitations (including
restrictions on the nature of the Seller's business and a restriction on the
Seller's ability to commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any Insolvency
Law without the prior unanimous affirmative vote of all of its directors).
However, there can be no assurance that the activities of a Seller would not
result in a court concluding that the assets and liabilities of such Seller
should be consolidated with those of CPS in a proceeding under any Insolvency
Law. If a court were to reach such a conclusion, then delays in distributions on
the related Securities could occur or reductions in the amounts of such
distributions could result. See 'The Seller and CPS.'
 
     True Sale. CPS will warrant to the Seller in each Purchase Agreement that
the sale of the Receivables by it or an Affiliated Originator to the Seller is a
valid sale of such Receivables to such Seller. In addition, CPS, each Affiliated
Originator and each Seller will treat the transactions described herein as a
sale of the Receivables to the Seller, and each Seller has taken and will take
all actions that are required to perfect the Seller's ownership interest in the
Receivables. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CPS or an Affiliated Originator
were to become a debtor in a bankruptcy case and a creditor or
trustee-in-bankruptcy of CPS (or such Affiliated Originator) or CPS (or such
Affiliated Originator) itself were to take the position that the sale of
Receivables to the Seller should be recharacterized as a pledge of such
Receivables to secure a borrowing of such Seller, then delays in payments of
collections of Receivables to the Seller could occur or, should the court rule
in favor of any such trustee, debtor or creditor, reductions in the amount of
such payments could result. If the transfer of Receivables to the Seller is
recharacterized as a pledge or a tax or government lien on the property of CPS
or an Affiliated Originator arising before the transfer of a Receivable to the
Seller may have priority over the Seller's interest in such Receivable. If the
transactions contemplated herein are treated as a sale, the Receivables would
not be part of the bankruptcy estate of CPS or the Affiliated Originator, as
applicable, and would not be available to creditors of CPS or the Affiliated
Originator, as applicable.
 
     The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued its opinion in
Octagon Gas Systems, Inc. v. Rimmer (In re Meridian Reserve, Inc.) (decided May
27, 1993) in which it concluded (noting that its position is in contrast to that
taken by another court) that accounts receivable sold by the debtor prior to the
filing for bankruptcy remain property of the debtor's bankruptcy estate.
Although the Receivables are likely to be viewed as 'chattel paper', as defined
under the Uniform Commercial Code, rather than as accounts, the rationale behind
the Octagon holding is equally applicable to chattel paper. The circumstances
under which the Octagon ruling would apply are not fully known, and the extent
to which the Octagon decision will be followed in other courts or outside of the
Tenth Circuit is not certain. If the holding in the Octagon case were applied in
a bankruptcy of CPS or an Affiliated Originator, however, even if the transfers
of Receivables to the Seller and to the Trust were treated as sales, the
Receivables would be part of the bankruptcy estate and would be subject to
claims of certain creditors and delays and reductions in payments to the
Securityholders could result. CPS will warrant in the Purchase Agreement that
the sale of the Receivables to the Seller (including Receivables sold by an
Affiliated Originator) is a valid sale of the Receivables to the Seller, and the
Seller will warrant in the Sale and Servicing Agreement that the sale of the
Receivables to the Trust is a valid sale of the Receivables to the Trust.
 
     Risk of Changes in Delinquency Levels. There can be no assurance that the
historical levels of delinquencies and losses experienced by CPS on its
respective loan and vehicle portfolio will be indicative of the performance of
the Contracts included in the Trust or that such levels will continue in the
future. Delinquencies and losses could increase significantly for various
reasons, including changes in the federal income tax laws, changes in the local,
regional or national economies or due to other events. For a discussion and
analysis see 'CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio -- Delinquency and Loss
Experience.'
 
     Subordination; Limited Assets. To the extent specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, distributions of interest and principal on one Class of
Notes of a Series may be subordinated in priority of payment to interest and
principal due on other Classes of Notes of a related Series. Moreover, each
Trust will not have, nor is it permitted or expected to have, any significant
assets or sources of funds other than the related Receivables and, to the extent
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
 
                                       16
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
the related reserve account, spread account, and any other Credit Enhancement.
The Securities represent beneficial interests in the related Trust only and will
not represent a recourse obligation to other assets of CPS or the Seller. No
Securities of any Series will be insured or guaranteed by CPS, the Seller, the
Servicer, or the applicable Trustee. Consequently, holders of the Securities of
any Series must rely for repayment primarily upon payments on the Receivables
and, if and to the extent available, any Credit Enhancement, all as specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Limited Liquidity. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for
the Securities of any Series or Class will develop or, if it does develop, that
it will provide Securityholders with liquidity of investment or that it will
continue for the life of such Securities. The Prospectus Supplement for any
Series of Securities may indicate that an underwriter specified therein intends
to establish and maintain a secondary market in such Securities; however, no
underwriter will be obligated to do so. The Securities will not be listed on any
securities exchange.
 
     Priority of Interest in Receivables. In connection with the issuance of any
Series of Securities, CPS will originate Receivables. The Seller will warrant in
a Sale and Servicing Agreement that the transfer of the Contracts to such Trust
is either a valid assignment, transfer and conveyance of the Receivables to the
Trust or the Trustee on behalf of the Securityholders has a valid security
interest in such Receivables. As will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the related Trust Documents will provide that the Trustee will be
required to maintain possession of such original copies of all Receivables that
constitute chattel paper; provided that the Servicer may take possession of such
original copies as necessary for the enforcement of any Receivables. If the
Servicer, the Trustee or other third party, while in possession of any
Receivable, sells or pledges and delivers such Receivable to another party, in
violation of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, there is a risk that such other
party could acquire an interest in such Receivable having a priority over the
Trust's interest. Furthermore, if the Servicer or a third party, while in
possession of any Receivable, is rendered insolvent, such an event of insolvency
may result in competing claims to ownership or security interests in such
Receivable. Such an attempt, even if unsuccessful, could result in delays in
payments on the Securities. If successful, such attempt could result in losses
to the Securityholders or an acceleration of the repayment of the Securities.
CPS will be obligated to repurchase any Receivable if there is a breach of CPS's
representations and warranties that materially and adversely affects the
interests of the Trust in such Receivable and such breach has not been cured.
 
     Limitations on the Amount of Recoveries. Unless specific limitations are
described on the related Prospectus Supplement with respect to specific
Receivables, all Receivables will provide that the obligations of the Obligors
thereunder are absolute and unconditional, regardless of any defense, set-off or
abatement which the Obligor may have against CPS or any other person or entity
whatsoever. CPS will warrant that no claims or defenses have been asserted or
threatened with respect to the Receivables and that all requirements of
applicable law with respect to the Receivables have been satisfied.
 
     In the event that CPS or the Trustee must rely on repossession and
disposition of Financed Vehicles to recover scheduled payments due on Defaulted
Receivables (as defined in the related Sale and Servicing Agreement), the Issuer
may not realize the full amount due on a Receivable (or may not realize the full
amount on a timely basis). Other factors that may affect the ability of the
Issuer to realize the full amount due on a Receivable include whether amendments
to certificates of title relating to the Financed Vehicles had been filed,
depreciation, obsolescence, damage or loss of any financed Vehicle, and the
application of Federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws. As a result,
the Securityholders may be subject to delays in receiving payments and suffer
loss of their investment in the Securities.
 
     Insurance on Financed Vehicles. Each Receivable generally requires the
Obligor to maintain insurance covering physical damage to the Financed Vehicle
in an amount not less than the unpaid principal balance of such Receivable
pursuant to which CPS is named as a loss payee. Since the Obligors select their
own insurers to provide the requisite coverage, the specific terms and
conditions of their policies vary.
 
     In addition, although each Receivable generally gives CPS the right to
force place insurance coverage in the event the required physical damage
insurance on a Vehicle is not maintained by an Obligor, neither CPS nor the
Servicer is obligated to place such coverage. In the event insurance
 
                                       17
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
coverage is not maintained by Obligors and coverage is not force placed, then
insurance recoveries may be limited in the event of losses or casualties to
Financed Vehicles included in the Trust Assets, as a result of which
Securityholders could suffer a loss on their investment.
 
     Security Rating. The rating of Securities credit enhanced by a letter of
credit, financial guaranty insurance policy, reserve fund, credit or liquidity
facilities, cash deposits or other forms of credit enhancement (collectively
'Credit Enhancement') will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the
issuer of such external Credit Enhancement device (a 'Credit Enhancer'). Any
reduction in the rating assigned to the claims-paying ability of the related
Credit Enhancer to honor its obligations pursuant to any such Credit Enhancement
below the rating initially given to the Securities would likely result in a
reduction in the rating of the Securities.
 
     Limitations Due to Book-Entry Registration. Issuance of the Securities in
book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of such Securities in the secondary
trading market since investors may be unwilling to purchase Securities for which
they cannot obtain definitive physical securities representing such
Securityholders' interests, except in certain circumstances described in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Since transactions in Securities will, in most cases, be effected only
through DTC, direct or indirect participants in DTC's book-entry system ('Direct
Participants' or 'Indirect Participants') or certain banks, the ability of a
Securityholder to pledge a Security to persons or entities that do not
participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take actions in respect to such
Securities, may be limited due to lack of a physical security representing the
Securities.
 
     Securityholders may experience some delay in their receipt of distributions
of interest on and principal of the Securities since distributions may be
required to be forwarded by the Trustee to DTC and, in such case, DTC will be
required to credit such distributions to the accounts of its Participants which
thereafter will be required to credit them to the accounts of the applicable
Class of Securityholders either directly or indirectly through Indirect
Participants. See 'Description of the Securities -- Book-Entry Registration.'
 
     Limitations on Interest Payments and Foreclosures. Generally, under the
terms of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended (the
'Relief Act'), or similar state legislation, an Obligor who enters military
service after the origination of the related Receivable (including an Obligor
who is a member of the National Guard or is in reserve status at the time of the
origination of the Receivable and is later called to active duty) may not be
charged interest (including fees and charges) above an annual rate of 6% during
the period of such Obligor's active duty status, unless a court orders otherwise
upon application of the lender. It is possible that such action could have an
effect, for an indeterminate period of time, on the ability of the Servicer to
collect full amounts of interest on certain of the Receivables. In addition, the
Relief Act imposes limitations that would impair the ability of the Servicer to
foreclose on an affected Receivable during the Obligor's period of active duty
status. Thus, in the event that such a Receivable goes into default, there may
be delays and losses occasioned by the inability of the Servicer to realize upon
the Financed Vehicle in a timely fashion.
 
                                  THE ISSUERS
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, the Seller will establish a
separate Trust that will issue such Securities pursuant to the related Trust
Documents. For purposes of this Prospectus and the related Prospectus
Supplement, the related Trust, if a Trust issues the related Securities, shall
be referred to as the 'Issuer' with respect to such Securities.
 
     Upon the issuance of the Securities of a given Series, the proceeds from
such issuance will be used by CPS to originate Receivables. The Servicer will
service the related Receivables pursuant to a sale and servicing agreement (the
'Sale and Servicing Agreement'), and will be compensated for acting as the
Servicer. To facilitate servicing and to minimize administrative burden and
expense, the Servicer may be appointed custodian for the related Receivables by
each Trustee and CPS, as may be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If the protection provided to the Securityholders of a given class by the
subordination of another Class of Securities of such Series and by the
availability of the funds in the reserve account, if any, or
 
                                       18
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
any other Credit Enhancement for such Series is insufficient, the Trust must
rely solely on the payments from the Obligors on the related Contracts, and the
proceeds from the sale of Financed Vehicles which secure the Defaulted
Contracts. In such event, certain factors may affect such Trust's ability to
realize on the collateral securing such Contracts, and thus may reduce the
proceeds to be distributed to the Securityholders of such Series.
 
                                THE TRUST ASSETS
 
     To the extent specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Trust, the Trust
Assets of a Trust will include a pool (a 'Receivables Pool') of retail
installment sale contracts between dealers (the 'Dealers') in new and used
automobiles, light trucks, vans and minivans and retail purchasers (the
'Obligors') (including Sub-Prime Borrowers) and, with respect to Rule of 78's
Receivables, certain moneys due thereunder after the applicable Cutoff Date and,
with respect to Simple Interest Receivables, certain moneys received thereunder
after the applicable Cutoff Date. Pursuant to agreements between the Dealers and
CPS ('Dealer Agreements'), the Receivables will be purchased by CPS. As further
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust Assets of a Trust will
also include (i) such amounts as from time to time may be held in one or more
trust accounts established and maintained by the Trustee pursuant to the Trust
Agreement or Indenture; (ii) the rights of the Seller under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement; (iii) security interests in the Financed Vehicles; (iv) the
rights of the Seller to receive any proceeds with respect to the Receivables
from claims on physical damage, credit life and credit accident and health
insurance policies covering the Financed Vehicles or the Obligors, as the case
may be; (v) the rights of the Seller to refunds for the costs of extended
service contracts and to refunds of unearned premiums with respect to credit
life and credit accident and health insurance policies covering the Financed
Vehicles or Obligors, as the case may be; and (vi) any and all proceeds of the
foregoing. If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust
Assets also will include the Credit Enhancement provided for the benefit of
Securityholders of such Trust.
 
     If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the property of a
Trust may also include a Pre-Funded Amount, which the Seller will deposit to the
Pre-Funding Account on the Closing Date and which will be used by the Trust to
purchase Subsequent Receivables from the Seller during the related Funding
Period (not to exceed 6 months). Any Subsequent Receivables so conveyed to a
Trust will also be assets of such Trust. The Pre-Funded Amount will not exceed
34% of the Trust Assets nor 25% of the Certificate Balance, if any.
 
     If the protection provided to Securityholders, if any, by any such Credit
Enhancement is insufficient, such Securityholders will have to look to payments
by or on behalf of Obligors on the related Receivables and the proceeds from the
repossession and sale of Financed Vehicles that secure defaulted Receivables for
distributions of principal and interest on the Securities. In such event,
certain factors, such as the applicable Trust's not having perfected security
interests in all of the Financed Vehicles, may limit the ability of a Trust to
realize on the collateral securing the related Receivables, or may limit the
amount realized to less than the amount due under the related Receivables.
Securityholders may thus be subject to delays in payment on, or may incur losses
on their investment in, such Securities as a result of defaults or delinquencies
by Obligors and depreciation in the value of the related Financed Vehicles. See
'Description of the Trust Documents -- Credit and Cash Flow Enhancement' and
'Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables.'
 
     The Receivables comprising the Trust Assets will, as specifically described
in the related Prospectus Supplement, be either (i) originated by CPS or an
Affiliated Originator, (ii) originated by various manufacturers (or their
captive finance companies) and acquired by CPS or an Affiliated Originator,
(iii) originated by various Dealers and acquired by CPS or an Affiliated
Originator or (iv) acquired by CPS or an Affiliated Originator from other
originators or owners of Receivables. Such Receivables will generally have been
originated or acquired by CPS or an Affiliated Originator in accordance with
CPS's specified underwriting criteria. The underwriting criteria applicable to
the Receivables included in any Trust will be described in all material respects
in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Receivables included in the Trust Assets will be selected from those
Receivables held by CPS or an Affiliated Originator based on the criteria
specified in the applicable Purchase Agreement or Affiliate Purchase Agreement
and described herein or in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
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<PAGE>
                    ACQUISITION OF RECEIVABLES BY THE SELLER
 
     On or prior to each Closing Date, CPS will, and an Affiliated Originator
may, sell and assign to the Seller, without recourse, except as provided in the
related Purchase Agreement, its entire interest in the applicable Receivables,
together with its security interests in the Financed Vehicles, pursuant to a
purchase agreement between CPS and the Seller (a 'Purchase Agreement') or
pursuant to a purchase agreement between an Affiliated Originator and the Seller
(an 'Affiliate Purchase Agreement').
 
     In each Purchase Agreement, CPS will represent and warrant to the Seller,
among other things, that (i) the information provided with respect to the
applicable Receivables is correct in all material respects; (ii) at the date of
issuance of the Securities, physical damage insurance covering each Financed
Vehicle is in effect in accordance with CPS's normal requirements; (iii) at the
date of issuance of the applicable Securities, the related Receivables are free
and clear of all security interests, liens, charges, and encumbrances and no
offsets, defenses, or counterclaims against Dealers have been asserted or
threatened; (iv) at the date of issuance of the Securities, each of the
Receivables is or will be secured by a first-priority perfected security
interest in the Financed Vehicle in favor of CPS or the applicable Affiliated
Originator; and (v) each Receivable, at the time it was originated, complied
and, at the date of issuance of the Securities, complies in all material
respects with applicable federal and state laws, including, without limitation,
consumer credit, truth in lending, equal credit opportunity and disclosure laws.
As of the last day of the second (or, if CPS elects, the first) month following
the discovery by or notice to the Seller and CPS of a breach of any
representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects a Receivable,
unless the breach is cured, CPS will purchase such Receivable from the Trust for
the Purchase Amount. The 'Purchase Amount' equals the unpaid principal balance
owed by the Obligor plus interest thereon at the respective APR to the last day
of the month of repurchase. The repurchase obligation will constitute the sole
remedy available to the Securityholders, the Credit Enhancer (if any) or the
Trustee for any such uncured breach.
 
                                THE RECEIVABLES
 
RECEIVABLES POOLS
 
     Information with respect to the Receivables in the related Receivables Pool
will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, including, to the extent
appropriate, the composition of such Receivables and the distribution of such
Receivables by geographic concentration, payment frequency and current principal
balance as of the applicable Cutoff Date.
 
     If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Seller will be
obligated pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement to sell Subsequent
Receivables to the Trust, and the Trust will be obligated to purchase such
Subsequent Receivables, subject only to the satisfaction of certain conditions
set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement. If the principal amount of the
eligible Subsequent Receivables acquired by the Seller from CPS or an Affiliated
Originator during a Funding Period is less than the Pre-Funded Amount, the
Seller may have insufficient Subsequent Receivables to transfer to a Trust and
holders of one or more Classes of the related Series of Securities may receive a
prepayment or early distribution of principal at the end of the Funding Period
as described above under 'Risk Factors -- Pre-Funding Accounts.'
 
     Any conveyance of Subsequent Receivables to a Trust is subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the related transfer date (each, a 'Subsequent
Transfer Date'), of the following conditions precedent, among others: (i) each
such Subsequent Receivable must satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in
the related Sale and Servicing Agreement; (ii) the Seller shall not have
selected such Subsequent Receivables in a manner that is adverse to the
interests of holders of the related Securities; (iii) as of the respective
Cutoff Dates for such Subsequent Receivables, all of the Receivables in the
Trust, including the Subsequent Receivables to be conveyed to the Trust as of
such date, must satisfy the parameters described under 'The Receivables Pool' in
the related Prospectus Supplement; and (iv) the Seller must execute and deliver
to such Trust a written assignment conveying such Subsequent Receivables to such
Trust. In addition, as and to the extent specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the conveyance of Subsequent Receivables to a Trust is subject to
the satisfaction of the condition subsequent, among others, which must be
satisfied within the applicable time period specified in the related Prospectus
 
                                       20
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
Supplement, that the Seller deliver certain legal opinions to the related
Trustee with respect to the validity of the conveyance of the Subsequent
Receivables to the Trust. If any such conditions precedent are not met with
respect to any Subsequent Receivables within the time period specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, CPS or the Seller, as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, will be required to repurchase such Subsequent
Receivables from the related Trust, at a purchase price equal to the related
Purchase Amounts therefor.
 
     Except as described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement, there
will be no other required characteristics of Subsequent Receivables. Therefore,
the characteristics of the entire Receivables Pool included in any Trust may
vary from those described in the related Prospectus Supplement as Subsequent
Receivables are conveyed to such Trust from time to time during the Funding
Period or Revolving Period; provided that the Trust will not acquire any
Subsequent Receivable on a Subsequent Transfer Date if the addition of such
Subsequent Receivable (giving consideration to all other Subsequent Receivables
acquired by the Trust on or prior to such Subsequent Transfer Date) would result
in any characteristic of the related Receivables Pool varying by more than 5%
from the description of such characteristic in the related Prospectus Supplement
 . The Sponsor will file each Subsequent Transfer Agreement with the Commission
on Form 8-K.
 
THE RECEIVABLES
 
     As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Receivables may
consist of any combination of Rule of 78's Receivables, Actuarial Receivables or
Simple Interest Receivables. Generally, 'Rule of 78's Receivables' provide for
fixed level monthly payments which will amortize the full amount of the
Receivable over its term. The Rule of 78's Receivables provide for allocation of
payments according to the 'sum of periodic balances' method (also referred to as
the 'sum of monthly payments' method) (the 'Rule of 78's'). Each Rule of 78's
Receivable provides for the payment by the Obligor of a specified total amount
of payments, payable in monthly installments on the related due date, which
total represents the principal amount financed and finance charges in an amount
calculated on the basis of a stated annual percentage rate ('APR') for the term
of such Receivable. The rate at which such amount of finance charges is earned
and, correspondingly, the amount of each fixed monthly payment allocated to
reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the related Receivable are
calculated in accordance with the Rule of 78's. Under the Rule of 78's, the
amount of interest earned in any period is equal to the total finance charge due
under the contract multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the
remaining number of periods of the contract and the denominator of which is the
sum of the digits for the term of the contract. For example, on a 36 month
contract in its 17th month, the numerator would be nineteen and the denominator
would be 666 (1+2+3+4....+36=666). Under the Rule of 78's, the portion of each
payment allocable to interest is higher during the early months of the term of a
Receivable and lower during later months than that under a constant yield method
for allocating payments between interest and principal. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all payments
received by the Servicer on or in respect of the Rule of 78's Receivables may be
allocated on an actuarial or simple interest basis.
 
     Generally, 'Actuarial Receivables' provide for monthly payments with a
final fixed value payment which is greater than the scheduled monthly payments.
An Actuarial Receivable provides for amortization of the amount financed over a
series of fixed level payment monthly installments, but also requires a final
fixed value payment due after payment of such monthly installments which may be
satisfied by (i) payment in full in cash of such amount, (ii) transfer of the
Financed Vehicle to CPS, provided certain conditions are satisfied or (iii)
refinancing the fixed value payment in accordance with certain conditions.
 
     'Simple Interest Receivables' provide for the amortization of the amount
financed under the Receivable over a series of fixed level monthly payments.
However, unlike the monthly payment under Rule of 78's Receivables, each monthly
payment consists of an installment of interest which is calculated on the basis
of the outstanding principal balance of the receivable multiplied by the stated
APR and further multiplied by the period elapsed (as a fraction of a calendar
year) since the preceding payment of interest was made. As payments are received
under a Simple Interest Receivable, the amount received is applied first to
interest accrued to the date of payment and the balance is applied to reduce
 
                                       21
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
the unpaid principal balance. Accordingly, if an Obligor pays a fixed monthly
installment before its scheduled due date, the portion of the payment allocable
to interest for the period since the preceding payment was made will be less
than it would have been had the payment been made as scheduled, and the portion
of the payment applied to reduce the unpaid principal balance will be
correspondingly greater. Conversely, if an Obligor pays a fixed monthly
installment after its scheduled due date, the portion of the payment allocable
to interest for the period since the preceding payment was made will be greater
than it would have been had the payment been made as scheduled, and the portion
of the payment applied to reduce the unpaid principal balance will be
correspondingly less. In either case, the Obligor pays a fixed monthly
installment until the final scheduled payment date, at which time the amount of
the final installment is increased or decreased as necessary to repay the then
outstanding principal balance.
 
     If an Obligor elects to prepay a Rule of 78's Receivable in full, it is
entitled to a rebate of the portion of the outstanding balance then due and
payable attributable to unearned finance charges. If a Simple Interest
Receivable is prepaid, rather than receive a rebate, the Obligor is required to
pay interest only to the date of prepayment. The amount of a rebate under a Rule
of 78's Receivable calculated in accordance with the Rule of 78's will always be
less than had such rebate been calculated on an actuarial basis and generally
will be less than the remaining scheduled payments of interest that would be due
under a Simple Interest Receivable for which all payments were made on schedule.
Distributions to Securityholders may not be affected by Rule of 78's rebates
under the Rule of 78's Receivable because, as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, such distributions may be determined using the actuarial
or simple interest method.
 
DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES
 
     Certain information relating to CPS's delinquency, repossession and net
loss experience with respect to Receivables it has originated or acquired will
be set forth in each Prospectus Supplement. This information may include, among
other things, the experience with respect to all Receivables in CPS's portfolio
during certain specified periods. There can be no assurance that the
delinquency, repossession and net loss experience with respect to any Trust will
be comparable to CPS's prior experience.
 
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
 
     As more fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement, if a
Receivable permits prepayment, such payment, together with accelerated payments
resulting from defaults, will shorten the weighted average life of the related
pool of Receivables and the weighted average life of the related Securities. The
rate of prepayments on the Receivables may be influenced by a variety of
economic, financial and other factors. In addition, under certain circumstances,
CPS will be obligated to acquire Receivables from the related Trust pursuant to
the applicable Purchase Agreement as a result of breaches of representations and
warranties. Any reinvestment risks resulting from a faster or slower
amortization of the related Securities which results from prepayments will be
borne entirely by the related Securityholders.
 
     The related Prospectus Supplement will set forth certain additional
information with respect to the maturity and prepayment considerations
applicable to a particular pool of Receivables and the related Series of
Securities, together with a description of any applicable prepayment penalties.
 
                      CPS'S AUTOMOBILE CONTRACT PORTFOLIO
 
GENERAL
 
     CPS was incorporated in the State of California on March 8, 1991. CPS and
its subsidiaries engage primarily in the business of purchasing, selling and
servicing retail automobile installment sales contracts ('Contracts') originated
by Dealers located primarily in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Illinois and Nevada. CPS specializes in Contracts with borrowers ('Sub-Prime
Borrowers') who generally would not be expected to qualify for traditional
financing such as that provided by commercial
 
                                       22
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
banks or automobile manufacturers' captive finance companies. Sub-Prime
Borrowers generally have limited credit history, lower than average income or
past credit problems.
 
     CPS and certain of its subsidiaries (each such subsidiary, an 'Affiliated
Originator') purchase Contracts from Dealers or independent finance companies
('IFC's') with the intent to resell them. CPS and Affiliated Originators may
also purchase Contracts from third parties that have been originated by others.
Prior to the issuances of the Securities, Contracts have been sold to
institutional investors either as bulk sales or as private placements or public
offerings of securities collateralized by the Contracts. Purchasers of Contracts
receive a pass-through rate of interest set at the time of the sale, and CPS
receives a base servicing fee for its duties relating to the accounting for and
collection of the Contracts. In addition, CPS is entitled to certain excess
servicing fees that represent collection on the Contracts in excess of those
required to pay principal and interest due to the investor at face value and
without recourse except that the representations and warranties made to CPS by
the Dealers are similarly made to the investors by CPS. CPS has some credit risk
with respect to the excess servicing fees it receives in connection with the
sale of contracts to investors and its continued servicing function since the
receipt by CPS of such excess servicing fees is dependent upon the credit
performance of the Contracts. Additional information with respect to CPS's
automobile contract portfolio, including information regarding CPS's
underwriting criteria and servicing and collection procedures, will be set forth
in each Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The principal executive offices of CPS are located at 2 Ada, Irvine,
California 92618. CPS's telephone number is (714) 753-6800.
 
     For further information about CPS see 'CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio'
in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                  POOL FACTORS
 
     The 'Pool Factor' for each Class of Securities will be a seven-digit
decimal, which the Servicer will compute prior to each distribution with respect
to such Class of Securities, indicating the remaining outstanding principal
balance of such Class of Securities as of the applicable Payment Date, as a
fraction of the initial outstanding principal balance of such Class of
Securities. Each Pool Factor will be initially 1.0000000, and thereafter will
decline to reflect reductions in the outstanding principal balance of the
applicable Class of Securities. A Securityholder's portion of the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the related Class of Securities is the product
of (i) the original aggregate purchase price of such Securityholder's Securities
and (ii) the applicable Pool Factor.
 
     As more specifically described in the related Prospectus Supplement with
respect to each Series of Securities, the related Securityholders of record will
receive reports on or about each Payment Date concerning the payments received
on the Receivables, the Pool Balance (as such term is defined in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the 'Pool Balance'), each Pool Factor and various other
items of information. In addition, Securityholders of record during any calendar
year will be furnished information for tax reporting purposes not later than the
latest date permitted by law.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Securities of a Series will be applied by the
applicable Trust to the purchase of the Receivables from the applicable Seller
and to make the deposit of the Pre-Funded Amount, if any, to the Pre-Funding
Account. CPS will use the portion of such proceeds paid to it for general
corporate purposes.
 
                               THE SELLER AND CPS
 
     Each Seller will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPS. CPS Receivables Corp.
was incorporated in the State of California in June of 1994. CPS Receivables
Corp. was, and each other Seller will be, organized for the limited purpose of
purchasing automobile installment sale contracts from CPS and transferring such
receivables to third parties and any activities incidental to and necessary or
convenient
 
                                       23
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
for the accomplishment of such purposes. The principal executive offices of CPS
Receivables Corp. are located at 2 Ada, Suite 100, Irvine, California 92618;
telephone (714) 753-6800.
 
     The Seller has taken steps in structuring the transaction contemplated
hereby that are intended to make it unlikely that the voluntary or involuntary
petition for relief by CPS under any Insolvency Law will result in consolidation
of the assets and liabilities of the Seller or the Trust with those of CPS.
These steps include the creation of the Seller as a separate, limited-purpose
subsidiary pursuant to articles of incorporation containing certain limitations
(including restrictions on the nature of the Seller's business and a restriction
on the Seller's ability to commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any
Insolvency Law without the prior unanimous affirmative vote of all of its
directors). However, there can be no assurance that the activities of the Seller
would not result in a court concluding that the assets and liabilities of the
Seller should be consolidated with those of CPS in a proceeding under any
Insolvency Law.
 
     The Seller has received the advice of Mayer, Brown & Platt to the effect
that, subject to certain facts, assumptions and qualifications, in a properly
presented case under current law, in the event that CPS becomes a debtor in a
case under the Bankruptcy Code, a United States Bankruptcy Court would not order
the substantive consolidation of the assets and liabilities of the Seller with
those of CPS. Among other things, it is assumed by Mayer, Brown & Platt that the
Seller will follow certain procedures in the conduct of its affairs, including
maintaining records and books of account separate from those of CPS, refraining
from commingling its assets with those of CPS and refraining from holding itself
out as having agreed to pay, or being liable for, the debts of CPS. The Seller
intends to follow and has represented to such counsel that it will follow these
and other procedures related to maintaining its separate corporate identity.
However, in the event that the Seller did not follow these procedures, and in
certain other circumstances, there can be no assurance that a court would not
conclude that the assets and liabilities of the Seller should be consolidated
with those of CPS. If a court were to reach such a conclusion, or a filing were
made to litigate any of the foregoing issues, delays in distributions on the
Securities (and possible reductions in the amount of such distributions) could
occur. See 'Risk Factors -- Non-Consolidation.'
 
     CPS was incorporated in the State of California on March 8, 1991. On
October 22, 1992, CPS completed a public offering of 1,300,000 shares
(approximately 31% of the shares then outstanding) of its common stock at an
initial price of $5.00 per share. Prior to that time, 100% of the common stock
of CPS was owned by CPS Holdings, Inc., a holding company the majority of the
shares of which are owned by Charles E. Bradley, Sr. On March 6, 1995, CPS
completed a second public offering of 1,000,000 shares (approximately 18.5% of
the shares then outstanding) of its common stock at $14.75 per share. CPS and
its subsidiaries engage primarily in the business of purchasing, selling and
servicing Contracts originated by Dealers located primarily in California,
Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois and Nevada. CPS specializes in Contracts
with Sub-Prime Borrowers who generally would not be expected to qualify for
traditional financing such as that provided by commercial banks or automobile
manufacturers' captive finance companies. Sub-Prime Borrowers generally have
limited credit history, lower than average income or past credit problems. CPS
also provides accounting and collection services to third party owners of
automobile loan portfolios that were not originated by CPS. CPS's executive
offices are located at 2 Ada, Irvine, California 92618; telephone (714)
753-6800.
 
                                  THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Trustee for each Series of Securities will be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The Trustee's liability in connection with the issuance
and sale of the related Securities is limited solely to the express obligations
of such Trustee set forth in the related Trust Documents.
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, the procedures for the
resignation or removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee
shall be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       24
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Securities will be issued in series (each a 'Series'). Each Series of
Securities (or, in certain instances, two or more Series of Securities) will be
issued pursuant to a Trust Agreement and, if Notes are issued, an Indenture. The
following summaries (together with additional summaries under 'The Description
of the Trust Documents' below) describe all material terms and provisions
relating to the Securities common to each Trust Agreement and Indenture. The
summaries do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Trust Documents for
the related Securities and the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     All of the Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus and the related
Prospectus Supplement will be rated in one of the four highest rating categories
by one or more Rating Agencies.
 
     The Securities may either represent beneficial ownership interests in the
related Receivables held by the related Trust or debt secured by certain assets
of the related Trust.
 
     Each Series or Class of Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus may
have a different Interest Rate, which may be a fixed or adjustable interest
rate. The related Prospectus Supplement will specify the Interest Rate for each
Series or Class of Securities described therein, or the initial interest rate
and the method for determining subsequent changes to the Interest Rate.
 
     A Series may include one or more Classes of Strip Securities entitled (i)
to principal distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no interest
distributions, or (ii) to interest distributions, with disproportionate, nominal
or no principal distributions. In addition, a Series of Securities may include
two or more Classes of Securities that differ as to timing, sequential order,
priority of payment, Interest Rate or amount of distribution of principal or
interest or both, or as to which distributions of principal or interest or both
on any Class may be made upon the occurrence of specified events, in accordance
with a schedule or formula, or on the basis of collections from designated
portions of the related pool of Receivables. Any such Series may include one or
more Classes of Accrual Securities, as to which certain accrued interest will
not be distributed but rather will be added to the principal balance (or nominal
balance, in the case of Accrual Securities which are also Strip Securities)
thereof on each Payment Date, as hereinafter defined, or in the manner described
in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Series may include
one or more other Classes of Senior Securities that are senior to one or more
other Classes of Subordinate Securities in respect of certain distributions of
principal and interest and allocations of losses on Receivables.
 
     In addition, certain Classes of Senior (or Subordinate) Securities may be
senior to other Classes of Senior (or Subordinate) Securities in respect of such
distributions or losses.
 
GENERAL PAYMENT TERMS OF SECURITIES
 
     As provided in the related Trust Documents and as described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Securityholders will be entitled to receive payments on
their Securities on the specified Payment Dates. Payment Dates with respect to
the Securities will occur monthly, quarterly or semi-annually, as described in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The related Prospectus Supplement will describe the Record Date preceding
such Payment Date, as of which the Trustee or its paying agent will fix the
identity of the Securityholders for the purpose of receiving payments on the
next succeeding Payment Date. As more fully described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the Payment Date will be a specified day of each month (or, in the
case of quarterly-pay Securities, a specified day of every third month; and in
the case of semi-annual pay Securities, a specified day of every sixth month)
and the Record Date will be the close of business as of a specified day
preceding such Payment Date.
 
     Each Trust Agreement and Indenture will describe a Collection Period
preceding each Payment Date (for example, in the case of monthly-pay Securities,
the calendar month preceding the month in which a Payment Date occurs). As more
fully provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, collections received on or
with respect to the related Receivables held by a Trust during a Collection
 
                                       25
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
Period will be required to be remitted by the Servicer to the related Trustee
prior to the related Payment Date and will be used to fund payments to
Securityholders on such Payment Date. As may be described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the related Trust Documents may provide that all or a
portion of the payments collected on or with respect to the related Receivables
may be applied by the related Trustee to the acquisition of additional
Receivables during a specified period (rather than be used to fund payments of
principal to Securityholders during such period) with the result that the
related Securities will possess an interest-only period, also commonly referred
to as a revolving period, which will be followed by an amortization period. Any
such interest only or revolving period may, upon the occurrence of certain
events to be described in the related Prospectus Supplement, terminate prior to
the end of the specified period and result in the earlier than expected
amortization of the related Securities.
 
     In addition, and as may be described in the related Prospectus Supplement,
the related Trust Documents may provide that all or a portion of such collected
payments may be retained by the Trustee (and held in certain Eligible
Investments, including Receivables) for a specified period prior to being used
to fund payments of principal to Securityholders. 'Eligible Investments' are
generally limited to investments acceptable to the Rating Agencies as being
consistent with the rating of such Securities. Subject to certain conditions,
Eligible Investments may include securities issued by CPS, the Servicer or their
respective affiliates or other trusts created by CPS or its affiliates. See
'Description of the Trust Documents -- Accounts.'
 
     Such retention and temporary investment by the Trustee of such collected
payments may be required by the related Trust Documents for the purposes of (a)
slowing the amortization rate of the related Securities relative to the
installment payment schedule of the related Receivables, or (b) attempting to
match the amortization rate of the related Securities to an amortization
schedule established at the time such Securities are issued. Any such feature
applicable to any Securities may terminate upon the occurrence of events to be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, resulting in distributions to
the specified Securityholders and an acceleration of the amortization of such
Securities.
 
     Neither the Securities nor the underlying Receivables will be guaranteed or
insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality or CPS, any Seller, the
Servicer, any Trustee or any of their respective affiliates unless specifically
set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     As may be described in the related Prospectus Supplement, Securities of
each Series will either evidence specified beneficial ownership interests in the
Trust Assets or represent debt secured by the related Trust Assets. To the
extent that any Trust Assets include certificates of interest in Receivables,
the related Prospectus Supplement will describe the material terms and
conditions of such certificates.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
 
     As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Securityholders of a
given Series may hold their Securities through DTC (in the United States) or
CEDEL or Euroclear (in Europe) if they are participants of such systems, or
indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems.
 
     Cede, as nominee for DTC, will hold the global Securities in respect of a
given Series. CEDEL and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of the
CEDEL Participants (as defined below) and the Euroclear Participants (as defined
below) (collectively, the 'Participants'), respectively, through customers'
securities accounts in CEDEL's and Euroclear's names on the books of their
respective depositaries (collectively, the 'Depositaries') which in turn will
hold such positions in customers' securities accounts in the Depositaries' names
on the books of DTC.
 
     DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a 'clearing
corporation' within the meaning of the New York UCC and a 'clearing agency'
registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for its Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions between Participants through electronic book-entries,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of notes or certificates.
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to
others
 
                                       26
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly ('Indirect Participants').
 
     Transfers between DTC Participants will occur in accordance with DTC rules.
Transfers between CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants will occur in
the ordinary way in accordance with their applicable rules and operating
procedures.
 
     Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through CEDEL
Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international
clearing system by its Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will
require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing
system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and
procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant
European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its
settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its Depositary to take action
to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities
in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. CEDEL Participants and Euroclear
Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the Depositaries.
 
     Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities in CEDEL or
Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant will be made
during the subsequent securities settlement processing, dated the business day
following the DTC settlement date, and such credits or any transactions in such
securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant CEDEL
Participant or Euroclear Participant on such business day. Cash received in
CEDEL or Euroclear as a result of sales of securities by or through a CEDEL
Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received
with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant
CEDEL or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement
in DTC.
 
     The Securityholders of a given Series that are not Participants or Indirect
Participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or
other interests in, Securities of such Series may do so only through
Participants and Indirect Participants. In addition, Securityholders of a given
Series will receive all distributions of principal and interest through the
Participants who in turn will receive them from DTC. Under a book-entry format,
Securityholders of a given Series may experience some delay in their receipt of
payments, since such payments will be forwarded by the applicable Trustee to
Cede, as nominee for DTC. DTC will forward such payments to its Participants,
which thereafter will forward them to Indirect Participants or such
Securityholders. Unless the related Prospectus Supplement provides for
Definitive Securities it is anticipated that the only 'Securityholder' in
respect of any Series will be Cede, as nominee of DTC, or another nominee of
DTC. Securityholders of a given Series will not be recognized as Securityholders
of such Series, and such Securityholders will be permitted to exercise the
rights of Securityholders of such Series only indirectly through DTC and its
Participants.
 
     Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and
its operations (the 'Rules'), DTC is required to make book-entry transfers of
Securities of a given Series among Participants on whose behalf it acts with
respect to such Securities and to receive and transmit distributions of
principal of, and interest on, such Securities. Participants and Indirect
Participants with which the Securityholders of a given Series have accounts with
respect to such Securities similarly are required to make book-entry transfers
and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective
Securityholders of such Series. Accordingly, although such Securityholders will
not possess Securities, the Rules provide a mechanism by which Participants will
receive payments and will be able to transfer their interests.
 
     Because DTC can only act on behalf of Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a
Securityholder of a given Series to pledge Securities of such Series to persons
or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or to otherwise act with
respect to such Securities, may be limited due to the lack of a physical
certificate for such Securities.
 
     DTC will advise the Trustee in respect of each Series that it will take any
action permitted to be taken by a Securityholder of the related Series only at
the direction of one or more Participants to whose accounts with DTC the
Securities of such Series are credited. DTC may take conflicting actions
 
                                       27
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that such actions are
taken on behalf of Participants whose holdings include such undivided interests.
 
     CEDEL is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional
depository. CEDEL holds securities for its participating organizations ('CEDEL
Participants') and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between CEDEL Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of CEDEL Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates. Transactions may be settled in CEDEL in any of 28
currencies, including United States dollars. CEDEL provides to its CEDEL
Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration,
clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities
lending and borrowing. CEDEL interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries. As a professional depository, CEDEL is subject to regulation by the
Luxembourg Monetary Institute. CEDEL Participants are recognized financial
institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Indirect access to CEDEL is also available to others, such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a CEDEL Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of the
Euroclear System ('Euroclear Participants') and to clear and settle transactions
between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry
delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and
cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 28 currencies, including United
States dollars. The Euroclear System includes various other services, including
securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with
DTC described above. Euroclear is operated by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York, Brussels, Belgium office, under contract with Euroclear Clearance
System, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the 'Cooperative'). All
operations are conducted by the 'Euroclear Operator' (as defined below), and all
Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts
with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes
policy for the Euroclear System on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear
Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and
dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the
Underwriters. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also available to other
firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear
Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     The 'Euroclear Operator' is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is
regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking
Commission.
 
     Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the 'Terms and Conditions'). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear System, withdrawal of
securities and cash from the Euroclear System, and receipts of payments with
respect to securities in the Euroclear System. All securities in the Euroclear
System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates
to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the
Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record
of relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
 
     Except as required by law, the Trustee in respect of a Series will not have
any liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made or
account of beneficial ownership interests of the related Securities held by
Cede, as nominee for DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
DEFINITIVE NOTES
 
     Except to the extent that the related Prospectus Supplement provides for
book-entry Securities, the Securities will be issued in fully registered,
certificated form ('Definitive Securities') to the
 
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<PAGE>
Securityholders of a given Series or their nominees, rather than to DTC or its
nominee, only if (i) the Trustee in respect of the related Series advises in
writing that DTC is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its
responsibilities as depository with respect to such Securities and such Trustee
is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) such Trustee, at its option,
elects to terminate the book-entry-system through DTC or (iii) after the
occurrence of an 'Event of Default' under the related Indenture or a default by
the Servicer under the related Trust Documents, Securityholders representing at
least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of such Securities advise
the applicable Trustee through DTC in writing that the continuation of a
book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in such
Securityholders' best interest.
 
     Upon the occurrence of any event described in the immediately preceding
paragraph, the applicable Trustee will be required to notify all such
Securityholders through Participants of the availability of Definitive
Securities. Upon surrender by DTC of the definitive certificates representing
such Securities and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the applicable
Trustee will reissue such Securities as Definitive Securities to such
Securityholders.
 
     Distributions of principal of, and interest on, such Securities will
thereafter be made by the applicable Trustee in accordance with the procedures
set forth in the related Indenture or Trust Agreement directly to holders of
Definitive Securities in whose names the Definitive Securities were registered
at the close of business on the applicable Record Date specified for such
Securities in the related Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will be made
by check mailed to the address of such holder as it appears on the register
maintained by the applicable Trustee. The final payment on any such Security,
however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Security at
the office or agency specified in the notice of final distribution to the
applicable Securityholders.
 
     Definitive Securities in respect of a given Series of Securities will be
transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the applicable Trustee or of a
certificate registrar named in a notice delivered to holders of such Definitive
Securities. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer
or exchange, but the applicable Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, on or prior to each Payment Date
for such Series, the Servicer or the related Trustee will forward or cause to be
forwarded to each holder of record of such class of Securities a statement or
statements with respect to the related Trust Assets setting forth the
information specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     In addition, within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting
purposes after the end of each calendar year, the applicable Trustee will
provide to the Securityholders a statement containing information required by
applicable tax laws, for the purpose of the Securityholders' preparation of
federal income tax returns.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST DOCUMENTS
 
     The following summary describes certain terms of the Trust Documents
pursuant to which a Trust will be created and the related Securities in respect
of such Trust will be issued. For purposes of this Prospectus, the term 'Trust
Documents' as used with respect to a Trust means, collectively, and except as
otherwise specified, any and all agreements relating to the establishment of the
related Trust, the servicing of the related Receivables and the issuance of the
related Securities, including without limitation the Indenture, (i.e. pursuant
to which any Notes shall be issued). A form of the Trust Agreement has been
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part. This summary does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the provisions of the Trust Documents.
 
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<PAGE>
SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES
 
     On or prior to the closing date specified with respect to any given Series
of securities ( the 'Closing Date'), CPS or an Affiliated Originator will sell
and assign to a Seller, without recourse, except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Purchase Agreement or Affiliate Purchase Agreement, its entire
interest in the Receivables to be included in such Trust, together with its
security interests in the Financed Vehicles. At the time of issuance of the
Securities, such Seller will either transfer such Receivables to a Trust
pursuant to a Sale and Servicing Agreement. The obligations of the Seller and
the Servicer under the related Sale and Servicing Agreement include those
specified below and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     As more fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement, CPS will be
obligated to acquire from the related Trust its interest in any Receivable
transferred to a Trust or pledged to a Trustee on behalf of Securityholders if
the interest of the Securityholders therein is materially adversely affected by
a breach of any representation or warranty made by CPS with respect to such
Receivable, which breach has not been cured following the discovery by or notice
to CPS of the breach. In addition, if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, CPS may from time to time reacquire certain Receivables or
substitute other Receivables for such Receivable subject to specified conditions
set forth in the related Purchase Agreement.
 
ACCOUNTS
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities issued by a Trust, the Servicer
will establish and maintain with the applicable Trustee one or more accounts, in
the name of such Trustee on behalf of the related Securityholders, into which
all payments made on or with respect to the related Receivables will be
deposited (the 'Collection Account'). The Servicer will also establish and
maintain with such Trustee separate accounts, in the name of such Trustee on
behalf of such Securityholders, in which amounts released from the Collection
Account and the reserve account or other Credit Enhancement, if any, for
distribution to such Securityholders will be deposited and from which
distributions to such Securityholders will be made (the 'Distribution Account').
 
     If the related Prospectus Supplement so provides, the Pre-Funding Account
will be maintained with the Indenture Trustee and is intended solely to hold
funds to be applied by the Indenture Trustee during the Funding Period to pay to
the Seller the purchase price for Subsequent Receivables and any Permitted
Investments purchased with funds not yet invested in Subsequent Receivables.
Monies on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account will not be available to cover
losses on or in respect of the Receivables and any Permitted Investments
purchased with funds not yet invested in Subsequent Receivables. On the Closing
Date, the Pre-Funding Account will be funded with the initial Pre-Funded Amount
from the sale proceeds of the Securities.
 
     If the related Prospectus Supplement so provides the Seller will establish
and maintain an account (the 'Interest Reserve Account') in the name of the
Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and Certificateholders. On the
Closing Date, the Seller will deposit an amount equal to the Requisite Reserve
Amount (as described below) as of the Closing Date in the Interest Reserve
Account. On certain Payment Dates to be specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, funds on deposit in the Interest Reserve Account which are in excess
of the Requisite Reserve Amount for such Payment Date will be withdrawn from the
Interest Reserve Account and deposited in the Distribution Account for
distribution.
 
     Any other accounts to be established with respect to a Trust, including any
other reserve account, yield supplement account or negative arbitrage account,
will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     For any Series of Securities, funds in the Collection Account, the
Distribution Account, any Pre-Funding Account, any reserve account and other
accounts identified as such in the related Prospectus Supplement (collectively,
the 'Trust Accounts') shall be invested as provided in the related Trust
Agreement or Indenture in Eligible Investments. 'Eligible Investments' are
generally limited to investments acceptable to the Rating Agencies as being
consistent with the rating of such Securities. Subject to certain conditions,
Eligible Investments may include securities issued by CPS, the Servicer or
 
                                       30
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
their respective affiliates or other trusts created by CPS or its affiliates.
Except as described below or in the related Prospectus Supplement, Eligible
Investments are limited to obligations or securities that mature not later than
the business day immediately preceding the related Payment Date. However,
subject to certain conditions, funds in the reserve account may be invested in
securities that will not mature prior to the date of the next distribution and
will not be sold to meet any shortfalls. Thus, the amount of cash in any reserve
account at any time may be less than the balance of such reserve account. If the
amount required to be withdrawn from any reserve account to cover shortfalls in
collections on the related Receivables exceeds the amount of cash in such
reserve account a temporary shortfall in the amounts distributed to the related
Securityholders could result, which could, in turn, increase the average life of
the Securities of such Series. Except as otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, investment earnings on funds deposited in the applicable
Trust Accounts, net of losses and investment expenses (collectively, 'Investment
Earnings'), shall be deposited in the applicable Collection Account on each
Payment Date and shall be treated as collections of interest on the related
Receivables.
 
     The Trust Accounts will be maintained as Eligible Deposit Accounts.
'Eligible Deposit Account' means either (a) a segregated account with an
Eligible Institution or (b) a segregated trust account with the corporate trust
department of a depository institution organized under the laws of the United
States of America or any one of the states thereof or the District of Columbia
(or any domestic branch of a foreign bank), having corporate trust powers and
acting as trustee for funds deposited in such account, so long as any of the
securities of such depository institution has a credit rating from each Rating
Agency in one of its generic rating categories which signifies investment grade.
'Eligible Institution' means, with respect to a Trust, (a) the corporate trust
department of the related Indenture Trustee or the related Trustee, as
applicable, or (b) a depository institution organized under the laws of the
United States of America or any one of the states thereof or the District of
Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank), which (i) (A) has either
(w) a long-term unsecured debt rating acceptable to the Rating Agencies or (x) a
short-term unsecured debt rating or certificate of deposit rating acceptable to
the Rating Agencies or (B) the parent corporation of which has either (y) a
long-term unsecured debt rating acceptable to the Rating Agencies or (z) a
short-term unsecured debt rating or certificate of deposit rating acceptable to
the Rating Agencies and (ii) whose deposits are insured by the FDIC.
 
THE SERVICER
 
     The Servicer under each Sale and Servicing Agreement will be named in the
related Prospectus Supplement. The entity serving as Servicer may be CPS or an
affiliate of CPS and may have other business relationships with CPS or CPS's
affiliates. The Servicer with respect to each Series will service the
Receivables contained in the Trust for such Series. Any Servicer may delegate
its servicing responsibilities to one or more subservicers, but will not be
relieved of its liabilities with respect thereto.
 
     The Servicer will make certain representations and warranties regarding its
authority to enter into, and its ability to perform its obligations under, the
related Sale and Servicing Agreement. An uncured breach of such a representation
or warranty that in any respect materially and adversely affects the interests
of the Securityholders will constitute a default by the Servicer under the
related Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
     A Sale and Servicing Agreement may contain provisions providing for a
standby servicer ('Standby Servicer') to serve as successor servicer in the
event the Servicer is terminated or resigns as Servicer pursuant to the terms of
such Sale and Servicing Agreement. A Standby Servicer will receive a fee on each
Payment Date for agreeing to stand by as successor Servicer and for performing
certain other functions. If the Standby Servicer becomes the Servicer under a
Sale and Servicing Agreement, it will receive compensation as a Servicer in an
amount set forth in such Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
SERVICING PROCEDURES
 
     Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer will
follow its then-employed standards, or such more exacting standards as the
Servicer employs in the future, in servicing the Receivables that are part of
the Trust. Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer
 
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<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
will make reasonable efforts to collect all payments due with respect to the
Receivables that are part of the Trust and, in a manner consistent with such
Sale and Servicing Agreement, will continue such collection procedures as it
follows with respect to automotive retail installment sale contracts it services
for itself and others. Consistent with its normal procedures, the Servicer may,
in its sole discretion, arrange with the Obligor on a Receivable to extend the
payment schedule; provided, however, that the Servicer may be limited as to the
number of times an extension may be granted and as to the timing of such
extensions. No such arrangement will, for purposes of a Sale and Servicing
Agreement, modify the original due dates or the amount of the scheduled
payments, or extend the final payment date on any Receivable beyond the last day
of the penultimate Collection Period before the Final Schedule Payment Date
under the related Trust Documents. If the Servicer grants an extension with
respect to a Receivable other than in accordance with the aforementioned
limitations, the Servicer will be required to purchase the Receivable. Following
any such purchase of a Receivable by the Servicer, such Receivable will be
released from the Trust and conveyed to the Servicer. The Servicer may sell the
Vehicle securing the respective defaulted Receivable, if any, at a public or
private sale, or take any other action permitted by applicable law. See 'Certain
Legal Aspects of the Receivables.'
 
     The material aspects of any particular Servicer's collections and other
relevant procedures will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
PAYMENTS ON RECEIVABLES
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, unless the related Prospectus
Supplement does not so provide, the Servicer will notify each Obligor that
payments made by such Obligor after the Cutoff Date with respect to a Receivable
must be mailed directly to the Post Office Box set forth in the Sale and
Servicing Agreement relating to such Receivable. On each Business Day, the
Lock-Box Processor set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement relating to
such Receivable (the 'Lock-Box Processor') will transfer any such payments
received in the applicable post office box in the name of the applicable Trustee
for the benefit of the Securityholders and the related Credit Enhancer (if any)
(the 'Post Office Box') to the applicable segregated lock-box account in the
name of the applicable Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders and the
related Credit Enhancer (if any) (the 'Lock-Box Account'). Any payments received
by the Servicer from an Obligor or from a source other than an Obligor must be
deposited in the applicable Lock-Box Account or the applicable Collection
Account upon receipt. The Servicer will, following the receipt of funds in such
Lock-Box Account, direct the Lock-Box Bank to transfer such funds to the
applicable Collection Account. Prior to the applicable Payment Date, the
applicable Trustee, on the basis of instructions provided by the Servicer, will
transfer funds held in such Collection Account to the applicable Payahead
Account if such payments constitute Payaheads or to the applicable Distribution
Account for distribution to, the Securityholders of the related Series.
 
     Collections on a Rule of 78's Receivable made during a Collection Period
will be applied first, to the scheduled payment on such Rule of 78's Receivable,
and second, to any late fees accrued with respect to such Rule of 78's
Receivable.
 
SERVICING COMPENSATION
 
     As will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement with respect to
any Series of Securities issued by a Trust, the Servicer will be entitled to
receive a servicing fee on each Payment Date (the 'Servicing Fee'), equal to the
product of one-twelfth of the specified percentage per annum and the Pool
Balance (each as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement) as of the close
of business on the last day of the second preceding Collection Period; provided,
however, that with respect to the first Payment Date, the Servicing Fee will
equal the product of one-twelfth of the Servicing Fee Rate and the original Pool
Balance. So long as CPS is Servicer, a portion of the Servicing Fee will be
payable to the Standby Servicer, if any (as set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement), for agreeing to stand by as successor Servicer and for performing
certain other functions. If the Standby Servicer, or any other entity serving at
the time as Standby Servicer, becomes the successor Servicer, it will receive
compensation for acting in such capacity. See 'Standby Servicer' in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The Servicer will also collect and retain, as additional
servicing compensation, any late fees, prepayment charges, including, in the
case of a Rule 78's Receivable that is part of the Trust and that is prepaid in
 
                                       32
 



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<PAGE>
full, to the extent not required by law to be remitted to the related Obligor,
the difference between the principal balance of such Receivable computed on an
actuarial basis plus accrued interest to the date of prepayment and the
principal balance of such Receivable computed according to the Rule of 78's, and
other administrative fees or similar charges allowed by applicable law with
respect to the Receivables that are part of the Trust, and will be entitled to
reimbursement from the Trust for certain liabilities. Payments by or on behalf
of Obligors will be allocated to scheduled payments, late fees and other charges
and principal and interest in accordance with the Servicer's normal practices
and procedures. The Servicing Fee will be paid out of collections from the
Receivables, prior to distributions to Securityholders of the related Series.
 
     The Servicing Fee and additional servicing compensation will compensate the
Servicer for performing the functions of a third party servicer of automotive
receivables as an agent for their beneficial owner, including collecting and
posting all payments, responding to inquiries of Obligors on the Receivables
that are part of the Trust, investigating delinquencies, sending payment coupons
to Obligors, reporting tax information to Obligors, paying costs of disposition
of defaults and policing the collateral. The Servicing Fee also will compensate
the Servicer for administering the Receivables that are part of the Trust,
including accounting for collections and furnishing monthly and annual
statements as required with respect to a Series of Securities regarding
distributions and generating federal income tax information. The Servicing Fee
also will reimburse the Servicer for certain taxes, accounting fees, outside
auditor fees, data processing costs and other costs incurred in connection with
administering the Receivables that are part of the Trust.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, beginning on the Payment Date
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, distributions of principal and
interest (or, where applicable, of principal or interest only) on each Class of
such Securities entitled thereto will be made by the applicable Indenture
Trustee to the holders of Notes (the 'Noteholders') and by the applicable
Trustee to the holders of Certificates (the 'Certificateholders') of such
Series. The timing, calculation , allocation, order, source, priorities of and
requirements for each class of Noteholders and all distributions to each class
of Certificateholders of such Series will be set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     With respect to each Series of Securities, on each Payment Date collections
on the related Receivables will be transferred from the Collection Account to
the Distribution Account for distribution to Securityholders, respectively, to
the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement. Credit Enhancement,
such as a reserve account, may be available to cover any shortfalls in the
amount available for distribution on such date, to the extent specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. As more fully described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, and unless not provided for therein, distributions in respect of
principal of a Class of Securities of a given Series will be subordinate to
distributions in respect of interest on such Class, and distributions in respect
of the Certificates of such Series will be subordinate to payments in respect of
the Notes of such Series.
 
CREDIT AND CASH FLOW ENHANCEMENTS
 
     The amounts and types of Credit Enhancement arrangements, if any, and the
provider thereof, if applicable, with respect to each class of Securities of a
given Series will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. If and to
the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, credit enhancement may
be in the form of a Policy, subordination of one or more Classes of Securities,
reserve accounts, overcollateralization, letters of credit, credit or liquidity
facilities, third party payments or other support, surety bonds, guaranteed cash
deposits or such other arrangements as may be described in the related
Prospectus Supplement or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. If
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Credit Enhancement for a
Class of Securities may cover one or more other Classes of Securities of the
same Series, and Credit Enhancement for a Series of Securities may cover one or
more other Series of Securities.
 
     The presence of Credit Enhancement for the benefit of any Class or Series
of Securities is intended to enhance the likelihood of receipt by the
Securityholders or such Class or Series of the full amount of
 
                                       33
 



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<PAGE>
principal and interest due thereon and to decrease the likelihood that such
Securityholders will experience losses. As more specifically provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the credit enhancement for a Class or Series of
Securities may not provide protection against all risks of loss and may not
guarantee repayment of the entire principal balance and interest thereon. If
losses occur which exceed the amount covered by any Credit Enhancement or which
are not covered by any Credit Enhancement, Securityholders of any Class or
Series will bear their allocable share of deficiencies, as described in the
related Prospectus Supplement. In addition, if a form of Credit Enhancement
covers more than one Series of Securities, Securityholders of any such Series
will be subject to the risk that such Credit Enhancement will be exhausted by
the claims of Securityholders of other Series.
 
STATEMENTS TO INDENTURE TRUSTEES AND TRUSTEES
 
     Prior to each Payment Date with respect to each Series of Securities, the
Servicer will provide to the applicable Indenture Trustee and/or the applicable
Trustee and Credit Enhancer as of the close of business on the last day of the
preceding related Collection Period a statement setting forth substantially the
same information as is required to be provided in the periodic reports provided
to Securityholders of such Series described under 'Description of the
Securities -- Reports to Securityholders.'
 
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
 
     Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that a firm of independent
public accountants will furnish to the related Trust and/or the applicable
Indenture Trustee and Credit Enhancer, annually, a statement as to compliance by
the Servicer during the preceding twelve months (or, in the case of the first
such certificate, the period from the applicable Closing Date) with certain
standards relating to the servicing of the Receivables.
 
     Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will also provide for delivery to the
related Trust and the applicable Indenture Trustee of a certificate signed by an
officer of the Servicer stating that the Servicer either has fulfilled its
obligations under such Sale and Servicing Agreement in all material respects
throughout the preceding 12 months (or, in the case of the first such
certificate, the period from the applicable Closing Date) or, if there has been
a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation in any material respect,
describing each such default. The Servicer also will agree to give each
Indenture Trustee and each Trustee notice of certain Servicer Termination Events
(as hereinafter defined) under the related Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
     Copies of such statements and certificates may be obtained by
Securityholders by a request in writing addressed to the applicable Indenture
Trustee or the applicable Trustee.
 
CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICERS
 
     Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer may not
resign from its obligations and duties as Servicer thereunder except upon
determination that its performance of such duties is no longer permissible under
applicable law and under certain other circumstances. No such resignation will
become effective until a successor servicer has assumed the servicing
obligations and duties under the applicable Sale and Servicing Agreement. In the
event CPS resigns as Servicer or is terminated as Servicer, the Standby
Servicer, if any, will agree to assume the servicing obligations and duties
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
     Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will further provide that neither the
Servicer nor any of its directors, officer, employees, and agents will be under
any liability to the Trust or the Securityholders of the related Series for
taking any action or for refraining from taking any action pursuant to such Sale
and Servicing Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that
neither the Servicer nor any such person will be protected against any liability
that would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of
obligations and duties thereunder. In addition, each Sale and Servicing
Agreement will provide that the Servicer is under no obligation to appear in,
prosecute, or defend any legal action that
 
                                       34
 



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<PAGE>
is not incidental to its servicing responsibilities under the applicable Sale
and Servicing Agreement and that, in its opinion, may cause it to incur any
expense or liability.
 
     Under the circumstances specified in each Sale and Servicing Agreement any
entity into which the Servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any entity
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Servicer is a party, or
any entity succeeding to the business of the Servicer, which corporation or
other entity in each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the
Servicer, will be the successor to the Servicer under the applicable Sale and
Servicing Agreement.
 
SERVICER TERMINATION EVENT
 
     Except as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
'Servicer Termination Event' under the related Trust Documents will include (i)
any failure by the Servicer to deliver to the applicable Trustee for deposit in
any of the related Trust Accounts any required payment or to direct such Trustee
to make any required distributions therefrom, which failure continues unremedied
for more than three (3) Business Days after written notice from such Trustee is
received by the Servicer or after discovery by the Servicer; (ii) any failure by
the Servicer duly to observe or perform in any material respect any other
covenant or agreement in such Trust Documents, which failure materially and
adversely affects the rights of the related Securityholders and which continues
unremedied for more than thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice of
such failure (1) to the Servicer by the applicable Trustee or (2) to the
Servicer, and to the applicable Trustee by holders of the related Securities, as
applicable, evidencing not less than 50% of the voting rights of such
outstanding Securities; (iii) any Insolvency Event; and (iv) any claim being
made on a Policy issued as Credit Enhancement. An 'Insolvency Event' shall mean
financial insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and
liabilities, or similar proceedings with respect to the Servicer and certain
actions by the Servicer indicating its insolvency, reorganization pursuant to
bankruptcy proceedings, or inability to pay its obligations.
 
RIGHTS UPON SERVICER TERMINATION EVENT
 
     As more fully described and except as otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement, as long as a Servicer Termination Event under the related
Trust Documents remains unremedied, the applicable Trustee, Credit Enhancer or
holders of Notes of the related Series evidencing not less than 50% of the
voting rights of such then outstanding Notes or, after the Notes have been paid
in full, holders of Certificates of the related Series evidencing not less than
50% of the voting rights of such then outstanding Certificates may terminate all
the rights and obligations of the Servicer, if any, under such Sale and
Servicing Agreement, whereupon a successor servicer appointed by such Trustee or
such Trustee will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of
the Servicer under such Trust Documents and will be entitled to similar
compensation arrangements. If, however, a bankruptcy trustee or similar official
has been appointed for the Servicer, and no Servicer Termination Event other
than such appointment has occurred, such bankruptcy trustee or official may have
the power to prevent the applicable Trustee or such Securityholders from
effecting a transfer of servicing.
 
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS
 
     With respect to each Trust, except as otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement and subject to the approval of any Credit Enhancer, the
holders of Notes evidencing at least a majority of the voting rights of such
then outstanding Securities may, on behalf of all Securityholders of the related
Securities, waive any default by the Servicer in the performance of its
obligations under the related Trust Documents and its consequences, except a
default in making any required deposits to or payments from any of the Trust
Accounts in accordance with such Trust Documents. No such waiver shall impair
the Securityholders' rights with respect to subsequent defaults.
 
AMENDMENTS
 
     As more fully described in, and unless not provided for by, the related
Prospectus Supplement, each of the Trust Documents may be amended by the parties
thereto, without the consent of the related
 
                                       35
 



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<PAGE>
Securityholders, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of such Trust Documents or of
modifying in any manner the rights of such Securityholders; provided that such
action will not, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the applicable
Trustee, materially and adversely affect the interests of any such
Securityholder and subject to the approval of any Credit Enhancer. As may be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust Documents may also be
amended by CPS, the Servicer, and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the
holders of Notes evidencing at least a majority of the voting rights of such
then outstanding Notes or, after the Notes have been paid in full, holders of
Certificates of the related Series evidencing not less than 50% of the voting
rights of such then outstanding Certificates for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
such Trust Documents or of modifying in any manner the rights of such
Securityholders; provided, however, that no such amendment may (i) increase or
reduce in any manner the amount or priority of, or accelerate or delay the
timing of, collections of payments on the related Receivables or distributions
that are required to be made for the benefit of such Securityholders or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of the Securities of such Series which are
required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the
Securityholders of such Series.
 
TERMINATION
 
     With respect to each Trust, the obligations of the Servicer, CPS and the
applicable Trustee pursuant to the related Trust Documents will terminate upon
the earlier to occur of (i) the maturity or other liquidation of the last
related Receivable and the disposition of any amounts received upon liquidation
of any such remaining Receivables and (ii) the payment to Securityholders of the
related Series of all amounts required to be paid to them pursuant to such Trust
Documents. As more fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement, in
order to avoid excessive administrative expense, the Servicer will be permitted
in respect of the applicable Trust Assets, unless the related Prospectus
Supplement does not so provide, at its option to purchase from such Trust
Assets, as of the end of any Collection Period immediately preceding a Payment
Date, if the Pool Balance of the related Contracts is less than 10% of the
initial Pool Balance in respect of such Trust Assets, all such remaining
Receivables at a price equal to the aggregate of the Purchase Amounts thereof as
of the end of such Collection Period. The related Securities will be redeemed
following such purchase.
 
     If and to the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, any
outstanding Notes of the related Series will be redeemed concurrently with the
events specified above and the subsequent distribution to the related
Securityholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to
the applicable Trust Documents may effect the prepayment of the Certificates of
such Series.
 
                    CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
GENERAL
 
     The transfer of Receivables by the Seller to the Trust pursuant to the
related Sale and Servicing Agreement, the perfection of the security interests
in the Receivables and the enforcement of rights to realize on the Financed
Vehicles as collateral for the Receivables are subject to a number of federal
and state laws, including the UCC as in effect in various states. As specified
in each Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer will take such action as is required
to perfect the rights of the Trustee in the Receivables. If, through
inadvertence or otherwise, a third party were to purchase (including the taking
of a security interest in) a Receivable for new value in the ordinary course of
its business, without actual knowledge of the Trust's interest, and take
possession of a Receivable, the purchaser would acquire an interest in such
Receivable superior to the interest of the Trust. Unless specified in a
Prospectus Supplement, no action will be taken to perfect the rights of the
Trustee in proceeds of any insurance policies covering individual Financed
Vehicles or Obligors. Therefore, the rights of a third party with an interest in
such proceeds could prevail against the rights of the Trust prior to the time
such proceeds are deposited by the Servicer into a Trust Account.
 
                                       36
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE FINANCED VEHICLES
 
     In states in which retail installment sale contracts such as the
Receivables evidence the credit sale of automobiles, light trucks, vans and
minivans by dealers to Obligors, the contracts also constitute personal property
security agreements and include grants of security interests in the vehicles
under the applicable UCC. Perfection of security interests in the financed
automobiles, light trucks, vans and minivans is generally governed by the motor
vehicle registration laws of the state in which the vehicle is located. In all
states in which the Receivables have been originated, a security interest in
automobiles, light trucks, vans and minivans is perfected by obtaining the
certificate of title to the Financed Vehicle or notation of the secured party's
lien on the vehicles' certificate of title (in addition, in Louisiana, a copy of
the installment sale contract must be filed with the appropriate governmental
recording office).
 
     Unless the related Prospectus Supplement does not so provide, each Contract
will name CPS or the applicable Affiliated Originator as obligee or assignee and
as the secured party. Unless the related Prospectus Supplement does not so
provide, CPS will have represented and warranted that it has taken all actions
necessary under the laws of the state in which the Financed Vehicle is located
to perfect CPS's or such Affiliated Originator's security interest in the
Financed Vehicle, including, where applicable, having a notation of its lien
recorded on such vehicle's certificate of title. The Obligors on the Contracts
will not be notified of the sale from CPS or an Affiliated Originator, directly
or indirectly, to the Seller, or the sale from the Seller to the Trust, and no
action will be taken to record the transfer of the security interest from CPS or
such Affiliated Originator, directly or indirectly, to the Seller or from the
Seller to the Trust by amendment of the certificates of title for the Financed
Vehicles or otherwise.
 
     CPS or the related Affiliated Originator will transfer and assign its
security interest in the related Financed Vehicles directly or indirectly to the
Seller, and the Seller will transfer and assign its security interest in such
Financed Vehicles to the related Trust pursuant to a Sale and Servicing
Agreement. However, because of the administrative burden and expense, neither
CPS nor the Seller will amend the certificates of title of such Financed
Vehicles to identify the related Trust as the new secured party.
 
     In most states, an assignment such as that under each Sale and Servicing
Agreement is an effective conveyance of a security interest without amendment of
any lien noted on a vehicle's certificate of title, and the assignee succeeds
thereby to the assignor's rights as secured party. However, by not identifying
such Trust as the secured party on the certificate of title, the security
interest of such Trust in the vehicle could be defeated through fraud or
negligence.
 
     Under the laws of most states, the perfected security interest in a vehicle
continues for four months after the vehicle is moved to a state other than the
state in which it is initially registered and thereafter until the owner thereof
re-registers the vehicle in the new state. A majority of states generally
require surrender of a certificate of title to re-register a vehicle.
Accordingly, a secured party must surrender possession if it holds the
certificate of title to the vehicle or, in the case of a vehicle registered in a
state providing for the notation of a lien on the certificate of title but not
possession by the secured party, the secured party will receive notice of
surrender if the security interest is noted on the certificate of title. Thus,
the secured party will have the opportunity to re-perfect its security interest
in the vehicle in the state of relocation. In states that do not require a
certificate of title for registration of a motor vehicle, re-registration could
defeat perfection. Unless the related Prospectus Supplement does not so provide,
under each Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Servicer will be obligated to take
appropriate steps, at the Servicer's expense, to maintain perfection of security
interests in the Financed Vehicles and will be obligated to purchase the related
Receivable if it fails to do so.
 
     Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a motor
vehicle and liens for unpaid taxes take priority over even a perfected security
interest in a financed vehicle. The Code also grants priority to certain federal
tax liens over the lien of a secured party. The laws of certain states and
federal law permit the confiscation of vehicles by government authorities under
certain circumstances if used in unlawful activities, which may result in the
loss of a secured party's perfected security interest in the confiscated
vehicle.
 
                                       37
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
REPOSSESSION
 
     In the event of default by vehicle purchasers, the holder of the motor
vehicle retail installment sale contract has all the remedies of a secured party
under the UCC, except where specifically limited by other state laws. Among the
UCC remedies, the secured party has the right to perform self-help repossession
unless such act would constitute a breach of the peace. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, self-help is the most likely
method to be used by the Servicer and is accomplished simply by retaking
possession of the financed vehicle. In the event of default by the obligor, some
jurisdictions require that the obligor be notified of the default and be given a
time period within which he may cure the default prior to repossession.
Generally, the right of reinstatement may be exercised on a limited number of
occasions in any one-year period. In cases where the obligor objects or raises a
defense to repossession, or if otherwise required by applicable state law, a
court order must be obtained from the appropriate state court, and the vehicle
must then be repossessed in accordance with that order.
 
NOTICE OF SALE; REDEMPTION RIGHTS
 
     The UCC and other state laws require the secured party to provide the
obligor with reasonable notice of the date, time and place of any public sale
and/or the date after which any private sale of the collateral may be held. The
obligor has the right to redeem the collateral prior to actual sale by paying
the secured party the unpaid principal balance of the obligation plus reasonable
expenses for repossessing, holding and preparing the collateral for disposition
and arranging for its sale, plus, in some jurisdictions, reasonable attorneys'
fees, or, in some states, by payment of delinquent installments or the unpaid
balance.
 
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS AND EXCESS PROCEEDS
 
     The proceeds of resale of the vehicles generally will be applied first to
the expenses of resale and repossession and then to the satisfaction of the
indebtedness. While some states impose prohibitions or limitations on deficiency
judgments if the net proceeds from resale do not cover the full amount of the
indebtedness, a deficiency judgment can be sought in those states that do not
prohibit or limit such judgments. However, the deficiency judgment would be a
personal judgment against the obligor for the shortfall, and a defaulting
obligor can be expected to have very little capital or sources of income
available following repossession. Therefore, in many cases, it may not be useful
to seek a deficiency judgment or, if one is obtained, it may be settled at a
significant discount.
 
     Occasionally, after resale of a vehicle and payment of all expenses and all
indebtedness, there is a surplus of funds. In that case, the UCC requires the
creditor to remit the surplus to any holder of a lien with respect to the
vehicle or if no such lienholder exits or there are remaining funds, the UCC
requires the creditor to remit the surplus to the former owner of the vehicle.
 
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
 
     Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws and related regulations
impose substantial requirements upon lenders and servicers involved in consumer
finance, including requirements regarding the adequate disclosure of loan terms
(including finance charges and deemed finance charges), and limitations on loan
terms (including the permitted finance charge or deemed finance charge),
collection practices and creditor remedies. The application of these laws to
particular circumstances is not always certain and some courts and regulatory
authorities have shown a willingness to adopt novel interpretations of such
laws. These laws include the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Credit Billing Act, the Fair
Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Procedures Act, the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, the Federal Reserve Board's Regulations B and Z, the Solders' and
Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, state adoptions of the National Consumer Act
and the Uniform Consumer Credit Code, and state motor vehicle retail installment
sales act, retail installment sales acts and other similar laws. Also, state
laws impose finance charge ceilings and other restrictions on consumer
transactions and require contract disclosures in addition to those required
under federal law. These requirements impose specific
 
                                       38
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail to comply with their provisions.
In some cases, this liability could affect an assignee's ability to enforce
consumer finance contracts such as the Receivables or result in the imposition
of penalties in excess of amounts owing on the Receivables. In some instances,
particularly in actions based upon fraud or unfair and deceptive practices,
damage awards have been large. If the Trust were obligated to pay any such
damages, its assets would be directly reduced, resulting in a potential loss to
the Securityholders.
 
     Under the laws of certain states, finance charges with respect to motor
vehicle retail installment contracts may include the additional amount, if any,
that a purchaser pays as part of the purchase price for a vehicle solely because
the purchaser is buying on credit rather than for cash (a 'cash sale
differential'). If a dealer charges such a differential, applicable finance
charge ceilings could be exceeded.
 
     To so-called 'Holder-in-Due-Course' Rule of the Federal Trade Commission
(the 'FTC Rule'), the provisions of which are generally duplicated by the
Uniform Consumer Credit Code, other statutes or the common law, has the effect
of subjecting an assignee of a seller of goods in a consumer credit transaction
(and certain related creditors) to all claims and defenses that the obligor in
the transaction could assert against the seller of the goods. Liability under
the FTC Rule is limited to the amounts paid by the obligor under the contract
and the holder of the contract may also be unable to collect any balance
remaining due thereunder from the obligor.
 
     Most of the Receivables will be subject to the requirements of the FTC
Rule. Accordingly, each Trust, as holder of the related Receivables, will be
subject to any claims or defenses that the purchaser of the applicable Financed
Vehicle may assert against the seller of the Financed Vehicle. Such claims are
limited to a maximum liability equal to the amounts paid by the Obligor on the
Receivable. If an Obligor were successful in asserting any such claim or
defense, such claim or defense would constitute a breach of CPS's warranties
under the related Purchase Agreement and would create an obligation of CPS to
repurchase the Receivable unless the breach is cured. See 'Description of the
Trust Documents -- Sale and Assignment of Receivables.'
 
     Courts have applied general equitable principles to secured parties
pursuing repossession and litigation involving deficiency balances. These
equitable principles may have the effect of relieving an obligor from some or
all of the legal consequences of a default.
 
     In several cases, consumers have asserted that the self-help remedies of
secured parties under the UCC and related laws violate the due process
protections provided under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States. Courts have generally upheld the notice provisions of the UCC and
related laws as reasonable or have found that the repossession and resale by the
creditor do not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional
protection to borrowers.
 
     Under most state vehicle dealer licensing laws, sellers of automobiles,
light trucks, vans and minivans are required to be licensed to sell vehicles at
retail sale. In addition, with respect to used vehicles, the Federal Trade
Commission's Rule on Sale of Used Vehicles requires that all sellers of used
vehicles prepare, complete and display a 'Buyer's Guide' which explains the
warranty coverage for such vehicles. Furthermore, Federal Odometer Regulations
promulgated under the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act and the
motor vehicle title laws of most states require that all sellers of used
vehicles furnish a written statement signed by the seller certifying the
accuracy of the odometer reading. If a seller is not properly licensed or if
either a Buyer's Guide or Odometer Disclosure Statement was not provided to the
purchaser of a Financed Vehicle, the Obligor may be able to assert a defense
against the seller of the Financed Vehicle. If an Obligor on a Receivable were
successful in asserting any such claim or defense, the Servicer would pursue on
behalf of the related Trust any reasonable remedies against the seller or the
manufacturer of the vehicle, subject to certain limitations as to the expense of
any such action to be specified in the related Sale and Servicing Agreements.
 
     Under each Purchase Agreement, CPS will have represented and warranted that
each Receivable complies with all requirements of law in all material respects.
Accordingly, if an Obligor has a claim against a Trust for violation of any law
and such claim materially and adversely affects such Trust's interest in a
Receivable, such violation would constitute a breach of the warranties of CPS
and would create an obligation of CPS to repurchase the Receivable unless the
breach is cured.
 
                                       39
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
OTHER LIMITATIONS
 
     In addition to the laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments,
numerous other statutory provisions, including federal bankruptcy laws and
related state laws, may interfere with or affect the ability of a secured party
to realize upon collateral or to enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, in
a Chapter 13 proceeding under the federal bankruptcy law, a court may prevent a
creditor from repossession a vehicle and, as part of the rehabilitation plan,
may reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness to the market value of the
vehicle at the time of bankruptcy (as determined by the court), leaving the
creditor as a general unsecured creditor for the remainder of the indebtedness.
A bankruptcy court may also reduce the monthly payments due under a contract or
change the rate of interest and time of repayment of the indebtedness.
 
                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The following is a general summary of the material Federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes and the
Certificates. However, the summary does not purport to deal with Federal income
tax consequences applicable to all categories of holders, some of which may be
subject to special rules. For example, it does not discuss the tax treatment of
Noteholders or Certificateholders that are insurance companies, regulated
investment companies or dealers in securities. This discussion is directed to
prospective purchasers who purchase Notes or Certificates in the initial
distribution thereof and who hold the Notes or Certificates as 'capital assets'
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the 'Code'). Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax
advisors in determining the Federal, state, local, foreign and any other tax
consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes and
the Certificates.
 
     The following summary is based upon current provisions of the Code, the
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority, and ruling
authority, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive.
Each Trust will be provided with an opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt, special
Federal tax counsel to such Trust ('Federal Tax Counsel'), regarding certain
Federal income tax matters discussed below. An opinion of Federal Tax Counsel,
however, is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the 'IRS') or the
courts. Moreover, there are no cases or IRS rulings on similar transactions
involving both debt and equity interests issued by a trust with terms similar to
those of the Notes and the Certificates. As a result, the IRS may disagree with
all or a part of the discussion below. No ruling on any of the issues discussed
below will be sought from the IRS. For purposes of the following summary,
references to the Trust, the Notes, the Certificates and related terms, parties
and documents shall be deemed to refer, unless otherwise specified herein, to
each Trust and the Notes, Certificates and related terms, parties and documents
applicable to such Trust.
 
TAX CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST
 
     Prior to the issuance of Securities by the related Trust, Federal Tax
Counsel will deliver its opinion that the Trust will not be an association (or
publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax
purposes. This opinion will be based on the assumption that the terms of the
Trust Documents will be complied with, and on counsel's conclusions that the
nature of the income of the Trust will exempt it from the rule that certain
publicly traded partnerships are taxable as corporations.
 
     If the Trust were taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes,
the Trust would be subject to corporate income tax on its taxable income. The
Trust's taxable income would include all its income on the Receivables, possibly
reduced by its interest expense on the Notes. Any such corporate income tax
could materially reduce cash available to make payments on the Notes and
distributions on the Certificates, and Certificateholders could be liable for
any such tax that is unpaid by the Trust.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES
 
     Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness. The Seller will agree, and the
Noteholders will agree by their purchase of Notes, to treat the Notes as debt
for Federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes. Prior to the
sale of Securities by the related Trust, Federal Tax Counsel will deliver its
opinion
 
                                       40
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
to the Trust with respect to each series of Notes that either (i) the Notes of
such series will be characterized as debt for Federal income tax purposes or
(ii) the Notes of such series should be characterized as debt for Federal income
tax purposes, but if such Notes are not characterized as debt, such Notes will
be characterized as interests in a partnership. Except as described below under
the heading ' -- Possible Alternative Treatment of the Notes,' below, the
discussion below assumes that the characterization of the Notes as debt for
Federal income tax purposes is correct.
 
     OID, Indexed Securities, etc. The discussion below assumes that all
payments on the Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, and that the Notes are
not Indexed Securities or Strip Notes (the Federal income tax consequences for
which will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement). Moreover, the
discussion assumes that the interest formula for the Notes meets the
requirements for 'qualified stated interest' under Treasury regulations (the
'OID Regulations') relating to debt instruments issued with original issue
discount ('OID'), and that any OID on the Notes (i.e., any excess of the
principal amount of the Notes over their issue price) is de minimis (i.e., less
than 1/4% of their principal amount multiplied by the weighted average maturity
of the Notes), all within the meaning of the OID Regulations. If these
conditions are not satisfied with respect to any given series of Notes and as a
result the Notes are treated as issued with OID, additional tax considerations
with respect to such Notes will be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Interest Income on the Notes. Based on the above assumptions, except as
discussed below, the Notes will not be considered issued with OID. The stated
interest thereon generally will be taxable to a Noteholder as ordinary interest
income when received or accrued in accordance with such Noteholder's method of
tax accounting. Under the OID Regulations, a holder of a Note issued with a de
minimis amount of OID generally must include such OID in income, on a pro rata
basis, as principal payments are made on the Note. It is believed that any
prepayment premium paid as a result of a mandatory redemption will be taxable as
contingent interest when it becomes fixed and unconditionally payable. A
purchaser who buys a Note for more or less than its principal amount will
generally be subject, respectively, to the premium amortization or market
discount rules of the Code.
 
     A holder of a Note that has a fixed maturity date of not more than one year
from the issue date of such Note (a 'Short-Term Note') may be subject to special
rules. Under the OID Regulations, all stated interest will be treated as OID. An
accrual basis holder of a Short-Term Note (and certain cash basis holders,
including regulated investment companies, as set forth in Section 1281 of the
Code) generally would be required to report interest income as OID accrues on a
straight-line basis over the term of each interest period. Other cash basis
holders of a Short-Term Note would, in general, be required to report interest
income as interest is paid (or, if earlier, upon the taxable disposition of the
Short-Term Note). However, a cash basis holder of a Short-Term Note reporting
interest income as it is paid may be required to defer a portion of any interest
expense otherwise deductible on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry the
Short-Term Note until the taxable disposition of the Short-Term Note. A cash
basis taxpayer may elect under Section 1281 of the Code to accrue interest
income on all nongovernment debt obligations with a term of one year or less, in
which case the taxpayer would include OID on the Short-Term Note in income as it
accrues, but would not be subject to the interest expense deferral rule referred
to in the preceding sentence. Certain special rules apply if a Short-Term Note
is purchased for more or less than its principal amount.
 
     Sale or Other Disposition. If a Noteholder sells a Note, the holder will
recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the sale and the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. The
adjusted tax basis of a Note to a particular Noteholder will equal the holder's
cost for the Note, increased by any market discount, OID and gain previously
included by such Noteholder in income with respect to the Note and decreased by
the amount of premium (if any) previously amortized and by the amount of
principal payments previously received by such Noteholder with respect to such
Note. Any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, except for gain
representing accrued interest and accrued market discount not previously
included in income. Capital losses generally may be used by a corporate taxpayer
only to offset capital gains, and by an individual taxpayer only to the extent
of capital gains plus $3,000 of other income. Recent legislation, the Taxpayer
Relief Act of 1997, reduced the rate of tax imposed on capital gains from the
sale or exchange of assets
 
                                       41
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
held for more than 18 months, effective for amounts properly taken into account
after May 6, 1997. The legislation did not modify the rate of tax imposed on
gains of a comparable taxpayer.
 
     Foreign Holders. Interest paid (or accrued) to a Noteholder who is a
nonresident alien, foreign corporation or other person other than a United
States person as defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations (a 'foreign
person') generally will be considered 'portfolio interest,' and generally will
not be subject to United States Federal income tax and withholding tax, if the
interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States by the foreign person and the foreign person (i) is not
actually or constructively a '10 percent shareholder' of the Trust or the Seller
(including a holder of 10% of the outstanding Certificates) or a 'controlled
foreign corporation' with respect to which the Trust or the Seller is a 'related
person' within the meaning of the Code and (ii) provides the Trustee or other
person who is otherwise required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to the Notes
with an appropriate statement (on Form W-8 or a similar form), signed under
penalties of perjury, certifying that the beneficial owner of the Note is a
foreign person and providing the foreign person's name and address. If the
information provided in this statement changes, the foreign person must inform
the Trust within 30 days of such change. If a Note is held through a securities
clearing organization or certain other financial institutions, the organization
or institution may provide the relevant signed statement to the withholding
agent; in that case, however, the signed statement must be accompanied by a Form
W-8 or substitute form provided by the foreign person that owns the Note. If
such interest is not portfolio interest, then it will be subject to United
States Federal income and withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless reduced or
eliminated pursuant to an applicable tax treaty.
 
     Any capital gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other
taxable disposition of a Note by a foreign person will be exempt from United
States Federal income and withholding tax; provided that (i) such gain is not
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States by the foreign person and (ii) in the case of an individual foreign
person, the foreign person is not present in the United States for 183 days or
more in the taxable year.
 
     Final regulations dealing with withholding tax on income paid to foreign
persons and related matters (the 'New Withholding Regulations') were issued by
the Treasury Department on October 6, 1997. The New Withholding Regulations will
generally be effective for payments made after December 31, 1998, subject to
certain transition rules. Prospective Noteholders who are foreign persons are
strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the New
Withholding Regulations.
 
     Backup Withholding. Each holder of a Note (other than an exempt holder such
as a corporation, tax-exempt organization, qualified pension and profit-sharing
trust, individual retirement account or nonresident alien who provides
certification as to status as a nonresident) will be required to provide, under
penalties of perjury, a certificate containing the holder's name, address,
correct Federal taxpayer identification number and a statement that the holder
is not subject to backup withholding. Should a nonexempt Noteholder fail to
provide the required certification, the Trust will be required to withhold 31%
of the amount otherwise payable to the holder, and remit the withheld amount to
the IRS as a credit against the holder's Federal income tax liability.
 
     Possible Alternative Treatment of the Notes. In the opinion of Federal Tax
Counsel, in the event that any series of Notes were not treated as debt for
Federal income tax purposes, such series of Notes would be characterized for
Federal income tax purposes as interests in a partnership. If any series of the
Notes did constitute interests in such a partnership, it is expected that stated
interest payments on such Notes would be treated either as guaranteed payments
under section 707(c) of the Code or as a preferential allocation of net income
of the Trust (with all other items of Trust income, gain, loss, deduction and
credit being allocated to the holders of the Certificates). Although the Federal
income tax treatment of such Notes for most accrual basis taxpayers should not
differ materially under such characterization from the treatment of such Notes
as debt, such characterization could result in adverse effects for certain
holders of Notes. For example, holders of Notes treated as interests in a
partnership could be subject to tax on income equal to the entire amount of the
stated interest payments on the Notes (plus possibly certain other items) even
though the Trust might not have sufficient cash to make current cash
distributions of such amount. Thus, cash basis holders would in effect be
required to report income in respect of such Notes on the accrual basis and
holders of such Notes could become liable for taxes on Trust income even if they
have not received cash from the Trust to pay such taxes. Moreover,
 
                                       42
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
income allocable to a holder of a Note treated as a partnership interest that is
a pension, profit-sharing or employee benefit plan or other tax-exempt entity
(including an individual retirement account) would constitute 'unrelated
debt-financed income' generally taxable to such a holder under the Code, non-
U.S. persons holding such Notes could be subject to withholding or required to
file a U.S. Federal income tax return and to pay U.S. Federal income tax (and,
in the case of a corporation, branch profits tax) on their share of accruals of
guaranteed payments and Trust income, and individuals holding such Notes might
be subject to certain limitations on their ability to deduct their share of
Trust expenses.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
     Treatment of the Trust as a Partnership. The Seller and the Servicer will
agree, and the Certificateholders will agree by their purchase of Certificates,
to treat the Trust as a partnership for purposes of Federal and state income
tax, franchise tax and any other tax measured in whole or in part by income,
with the assets of the partnership being the assets held by the Trust, the
partners of the partnership being the Certificateholders (including the Seller
in its capacity as recipient of distributions from the Spread Account and any
other account specified in the related Prospectus Supplement in which the Seller
has an interest), and the Notes being debt of the partnership. However, the
proper characterization of the arrangement involving the Trust, the
Certificates, the Notes, the Seller and the Servicer is not clear because there
is no authority on transactions closely comparable to that contemplated herein.
 
     A variety of alternative characterizations are possible. For example,
because the Certificates may have certain features characteristic of debt, the
Certificates might be considered debt of the Seller or the Trust. Any such
characterization should not result in materially adverse tax consequences to
Certificateholders as compared to the consequences from treatment of the
Certificates as equity in a partnership, described below. The following
discussion assumes that the Certificates represent equity interests in a
partnership.
 
     Indexed Securities, etc. The following discussion assumes that all payments
on the Certificates are denominated in U.S. dollars, none of the Certificates
are Indexed Securities or Strip Certificates and a series of Securities includes
a single class of Certificates. If these conditions are not satisfied with
respect to any given series of Certificates, additional tax considerations with
respect to such Certificates will be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Partnership Taxation. As a partnership, the Trust will not be subject to
Federal income tax. Rather, each Certificateholder will be required to
separately take into account such holder's accruals of guaranteed payments from
the Trust and its allocated share of other income, gains, losses, deductions and
credits of the Trust. The Trust's income will consist primarily of interest and
finance charges earned on the Receivables (including appropriate adjustments for
market discount, OID and premium) and any gain upon collection or disposition of
Receivables. The Trust's deductions will consist primarily of interest accruing
with respect to the Notes, guaranteed payments on the Certificates, servicing
and other fees, and losses or deductions upon collection or disposition of
Receivables.
 
     Under the Trust Agreement, stated interest payments on the Certificates
(including interest on amounts previously due on the Certificates but not yet
distributed) will be treated as 'guaranteed payments' under Section 707(c) of
the Code. Guaranteed payments are payments to partners for the use of their
capital and, in the present circumstances, are treated as deductible to the
Trust and ordinary income to the Certificateholders. The Trust will have a
calendar year tax year and will deduct the guaranteed payments under the accrual
method of accounting. Certificateholders with a calendar year tax year are
required to include the accruals of guaranteed payments in income in their
taxable year that corresponds to the year in which the Trust deducts the
payments, and Certificateholders with a different taxable year are required to
include the payments in income in their taxable year that includes the December
31 of the Trust year in which the Trust deducts the payments. It is possible
that guaranteed payments will not be treated as interest for all purposes of the
Code.
 
     In addition, the Trust Agreement will provide, in general, that the
Certificateholders will be allocated taxable income of the Trust for each
Collection Period equal to the sum of (i) any Trust income attributable to
discount on the Receivables that corresponds to any excess of the principal
 
                                       43
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
amount of the Certificates over their initial issue price; (ii) prepayment
premium, if any, payable to the Certificateholders for such month and (iii) any
other amounts of income payable to the Certificateholders for such month. Such
allocation will be reduced by any amortization by the Trust of premium on
Receivables that corresponds to any excess of the issue price of Certificates
over their principal amount. All remaining items of income, gain, loss and
deduction of the Trust will be allocated to the Seller.
 
     Based on the economic arrangement of the parties, this approach for
accruing guaranteed payments and allocating Trust income should be permissible
under applicable Treasury regulations, although no assurance can be given that
the IRS would not require a greater amount of income to be allocated to
Certificateholders. Moreover, even under the foregoing method of allocation,
Certificateholders may be subject to tax on income equal to the entire amount of
stated interest payments on the Certificates plus the other items described
above even though the Trust might not have sufficient cash to make current cash
distributions of such amount. Thus, cash basis holders will in effect be
required to report income from the Certificates on the accrual basis and
Certificateholders may become liable for taxes on Trust income even if they have
not received cash from the Trust to pay such taxes. In addition, because tax
allocations and tax reporting will be done on a uniform basis for all
Certificateholders but Certificateholders may be purchasing Certificates at
different times and at different prices, Certificateholders may be required to
report on their tax returns taxable income that is greater or less than the
amount reported to them by the Trust.
 
     Most of the guaranteed payments and taxable income allocated to a
Certificateholder that is a pension, profit-sharing or employee benefit plan or
other tax-exempt entity (including an individual retirement account) will
constitute 'unrelated debt-financed income' generally taxable to such a holder
under the Code.
 
     An individual taxpayer's share of expenses of the Trust (including fees to
the Servicer but not interest expense) would be miscellaneous itemized
deductions. Such deductions might be disallowed to the individual in whole or in
part and might result in such holder being taxed on an amount of income that
exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to such holder over the life of
the Trust. It is not clear whether these rules would be applicable to a
Certificateholder accruing guaranteed payments.
 
     The Trust intends to make all tax calculations relating to income and
allocations to Certificateholders on an aggregate basis. If the IRS were to
require that such calculations be made separately for each Receivable, the Trust
might be required to incur additional expense but it is believed that there
would not be a material adverse effect on Certificateholders.
 
     Discount and Premium. The purchase price paid by the Trust for the
Receivables may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of the
Receivables at the time of purchase. If so, the Receivables will have been
acquired at a premium or discount, as the case may be. (As indicated above, the
Trust will make this calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be required to
recompute it on a Receivable-by-Receivable basis.)
 
     If the Trust acquires the Receivables at a market discount or premium, the
Trust will elect to include any such discount in income currently as it accrues
over the life of the Receivables or to offset any such premium against interest
income on the Receivables. As indicated above, a portion of such market discount
income or premium deduction may be allocated to Certificateholders.
 
     Disposition of Certificates. Generally, capital gain or loss will be
recognized on a sale of Certificates in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the Certificates sold.
A Certificateholder's tax basis in a Certificate will generally equal the
holder's cost increased by the holder's share of Trust income and accruals of
guaranteed payments (includible in income) and decreased by any distributions
received with respect to such Certificate. In addition, both the tax basis in
the Certificates and the amount realized on a sale of a Certificate would
include the holder's share of the Notes and other liabilities of the Trust. A
holder acquiring Certificates at different prices may be required to maintain a
single aggregate adjusted tax basis in such Certificates, and, upon sale or
other disposition of some of the Certificates, allocate a pro rata portion of
such aggregate tax basis to the Certificates sold (rather than maintaining a
separate tax basis in each Certificate for purposes of computing gain or loss on
a sale of that Certificate).
 
                                       44
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
     Any gain on the sale of a Certificate attributable to the holder's share of
unrecognized accrued market discount on the Receivables would generally be
treated as ordinary income to the holder and would give rise to special tax
reporting requirements. The Trust does not expect to have any other assets that
would give rise to such special reporting requirements. Thus, to avoid those
special reporting requirements, the Trust will elect to include market discount
in income as it accrues.
 
     If a Certificateholder is required to recognize an aggregate amount of
income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions
described above) over the life of the Certificates that exceeds the aggregate
cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to
a capital loss upon the retirement of the Certificates.
 
     Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, the Trust's
taxable income and losses will be determined monthly and the tax items and
accruals of guaranteed payments for a particular calendar month will be
apportioned among the Certificateholders in proportion to the principal amount
of Certificates owned by them as of the close of the last day of such month. As
a result, a holder purchasing Certificates may be allocated tax items and
accruals of guaranteed payments (which will affect its tax liability and tax
basis) attributable to periods before the actual transaction.
 
     The use of such a monthly convention may not be permitted by existing
regulations. If a monthly convention is not allowed (or only applies to
transfers of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses
and accruals of guaranteed payments of the Trust might be reallocated among the
Certificateholders. The Company is authorized to revise the Trust's method of
allocation between transferors and transferees to conform to a method permitted
by future regulations.
 
     Section 754 Election. In the event that a Certificateholder sells its
Certificates at a profit (loss), the purchasing Certificateholder will have a
higher (lower) basis in the Certificates than the selling Certificateholder had.
The tax basis of the Trust's assets will not be adjusted to reflect that higher
(or lower) basis unless the Trust were to file an election under Section 754 of
the Code. In order to avoid the administrative complexities that would be
involved in keeping accurate accounting records, as well as potentially onerous
information reporting requirements, the Trust will not make such election. As a
result, Certificateholders might be allocated a greater or lesser amount of
Trust income than would be appropriate based on their own purchase price for
Certificates.
 
     Administrative Matters. The Trustee is required to keep or have kept
complete and accurate books of the Trust. Such books will be maintained for
financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of
the Trust will be the calendar year. The Trustee will file a partnership
information return (IRS Form 1065) with the IRS for each taxable year of the
Trust issuing Certificates and will report each Certificateholder's accruals of
guaranteed payments and allocable share of items of Trust income and expense to
holders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. The Trust will provide the Schedule K-1
information to nominees that fail to provide the Trust with the information
statement described below and such nominees will be required to forward such
information to the beneficial owners of the Certificates. Generally, holders
must file tax returns that are consistent with the information return filed by
the Trust or be subject to penalties unless the holder notifies the IRS of all
such inconsistencies.
 
     Under Section 6031 of the Code, any person that holds Certificates as a
nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the Trust with
a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial owners
and the Certificates so held. Such information includes (i) the name, address
and taxpayer identification number of the nominee and (ii) as to each beneficial
owner (x) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of such person,
(y) whether such person is a United States person, a tax-exempt entity or a
foreign government, an international organization, or any wholly-owned agency or
instrumentality of either of the foregoing and (z) certain information on
Certificates that were held, bought or sold on behalf of such person throughout
the year. In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold Certificates
through a nominee are required to furnish directly to the Trust information as
to themselves and their ownership of Certificates. A clearing agency registered
under Section 17A of the Exchange Act is not required to furnish any such
information statement to the Trust. The information referred to above for any
calendar year must be furnished to the Trust on or before the following January
31. Nominees, brokers and financial institutions that fail to provide the Trust
with the information described above may be subject to penalties.
 
                                       45
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
     The Seller will be designated as the tax matters partner in the Trust
Agreement and, as such, will be responsible for representing the
Certificateholders in any dispute with the IRS. The Code provides for
administrative examination of a partnership as if the partnership were a
separate and distinct taxpayer. Generally, the statute of limitations for
partnership items does not expire before three years after the date on which the
partnership information return is filed. Any adverse determination following an
audit of the return of the Trust by the appropriate taxing authorities could
result in an adjustment of the returns of the Certificateholders, and, under
certain circumstances, a Certificateholder may be precluded from separately
litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the Trust. An adjustment could
also result in an audit of a Certificateholder's returns and adjustments of
items not related to the income and losses of the Trust.
 
     Tax Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders. It is not clear whether the
Trust would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United
States for purposes of Federal withholding taxes with respect to non-U.S.
persons because there is no clear authority dealing with that issue under facts
substantially similar to those described herein. Although it is not expected
that the Trust would be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for
such purposes, the Trust will withhold as if it were so engaged in order to
protect the Trust from possible adverse consequences of a failure to withhold.
The Trust expects to withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is
allocable to foreign Certificateholders pursuant to Section 1446 of the Code, as
if such income were effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business, at a rate
of 35% for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations and 39.6% for all
other foreign holders. Subsequent adoption of Treasury regulations or the
issuance of other administrative pronouncements may require the Trust to change
its withholding procedures. In determining a holder's nonforeign status, the
Trust may rely on IRS Form W-8, IRS Form W-9 or the holder's certification of
nonforeign status signed under penalties of perjury.
 
     Each foreign holder might be required to file a U.S. individual or
corporate income tax return and pay U.S. income tax on the amount computed
therein (including, in the case of a corporation, the branch profits tax) on its
share of accruals of guaranteed payments and the Trust's income. Each foreign
holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that
number to the Trust on Form W-8 in order to assure appropriate crediting of the
taxes withheld. A foreign holder generally would be entitled to file with the
IRS a claim for refund with respect to taxes withheld by the Trust, taking the
position that no taxes were due because the Trust was not engaged in a U.S.
trade or business. However, the IRS may assert that additional taxes are due,
and no assurance can be given as to the appropriate amount of tax liability.
 
     Backup Withholding. Distributions made on the Certificates and proceeds
from the sale of the Certificates will be subject to a 'backup' withholding tax
of 31% if, in general, the Certificateholder fails to comply with certain
identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient under
applicable provisions of the Code. See 'Tax Consequences to Holders of the
Notes -- Backup Withholding.'
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for each Series of Securities will summarize,
subject to the limitations discussed therein, considerations under ERISA
relevant to the purchase of such Securities by employee benefit plans and
individual retirement accounts.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     CPS may sell Securities (i) through underwriters or dealers: (ii) directly
to one or more purchasers: or (iii) through agents. The related Prospectus
Supplement in respect of a Series offered hereby will set forth the terms of the
offering of such Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters,
the purchase price of such Securities and the proceeds to CPS from such sale,
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters'
compensation, any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Only underwriters so named in such
Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the
Securities offered thereby.
 
                                       46
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
(an 'Underwriting Agreement') to be entered into with respect to each Series of
Securities, CPS will agree to sell to each of the underwriters named therein and
in the related Prospectus Supplement, and each of such underwriters will
severally agree to purchase from CPS, the principal amount of Securities set
forth therein and in the related Prospectus Supplement (subject to proportional
adjustment on the terms and conditions set forth in the related Underwriting
Agreement in the event of an increase or decrease in the aggregate amount of
Securities offered hereby and by the related Prospectus Supplement).
 
     In each Underwriting Agreement, the several underwriters will agree,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the
Securities offered hereby and by the related Prospectus Supplement if any of
such Securities are purchased. In the event of a default by any underwriter,
each Underwriting Agreement will provide that, in certain circumstances,
purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the
Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
     Each Underwriting Agreement will provide that CPS will indemnify the
related underwriters and, in certain limited circumstances, the underwriters
will indemnify CPS against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
     The place and time of delivery for any Series of Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the Securities of any
Series, including certain federal and state income tax consequences with respect
thereto and certain Bankruptcy matters, will be passed upon by Mayer, Brown &
Platt, New York, New York, or other counsel specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     Certain specified Trust Assets will secure each Series of Securities, no
Trust will engage in any business activities or have any assets or obligations
prior to the issuance of the related Series of Securities. Accordingly, no
financial statements with respect to any Trust Assets will be included in this
Prospectus or in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     A Prospectus Supplement may contain the financial statements of the related
Credit Enhancer, if any.
 
                                       47








<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
                                 INDEX OF TERMS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
Accrual Securities...................................................................................             7
Actuarial Receivables................................................................................            21
Affiliate Purchase Agreement.........................................................................            20
Affiliated Originator................................................................................         9, 23
APR..................................................................................................            21
cash sale differential...............................................................................            39
Cede.................................................................................................            10
CEDEL Participants...................................................................................            28
Certificateholders...................................................................................            33
Certificates.........................................................................................          1, 4
Class................................................................................................             1
Closing Date.........................................................................................         9, 30
Code.................................................................................................            40
Collection Account...................................................................................            30
Collection Period....................................................................................             5
Commission...........................................................................................             2
Contracts............................................................................................         1, 22
Cooperative..........................................................................................            28
CPS..................................................................................................             4
Credit Enhancement...................................................................................            18
Credit Enhancer......................................................................................            18
Cutoff Date..........................................................................................             8
Dealer Agreements....................................................................................            19
Dealers..............................................................................................            19
Definitive Securities................................................................................            28
Depositaries.........................................................................................            26
Direct Participants..................................................................................            18
Distribution Account.................................................................................            30
DTC..................................................................................................            10
Eligible Deposit Account.............................................................................            31
Eligible Institution.................................................................................            31
Eligible Investments.................................................................................        26, 30
ERISA................................................................................................            11
Euroclear Operator...................................................................................            28
Euroclear Participants...............................................................................            28
Exchange Act.........................................................................................         2, 12
Federal Tax Counsel..................................................................................            40
Financed Vehicles....................................................................................          1, 8
foreign person.......................................................................................            42
FTC Rule.............................................................................................            39
Funding Period.......................................................................................             9
IFC's................................................................................................            23
Indenture............................................................................................             4
Indenture Trustee....................................................................................             4
Indirect Participants................................................................................        18, 27
Initial Receivables..................................................................................             9
Insolvency Event.....................................................................................            35
Insolvency Laws......................................................................................            15
Interest Rate........................................................................................          2, 7
Interest Reserve Account.............................................................................            30
Investment Earnings..................................................................................            31
Investment Income....................................................................................             9
IRS..................................................................................................            40
</TABLE>
 
                                       48
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
Issuer...............................................................................................      1, 4, 18
Lock-Box Account.....................................................................................            32
Lock-Box Processor...................................................................................            32
national statistical rating organizations............................................................            11
New Withholding Regulations..........................................................................            42
Noteholders..........................................................................................            33
Notes................................................................................................          1, 4
Obligors.............................................................................................            19
OID..................................................................................................            41
OID Regulations......................................................................................            41
Participants.........................................................................................            26
Payment Date.........................................................................................             5
Policy...............................................................................................             1
Pool Balance.........................................................................................            23
Pool Factor..........................................................................................            23
Post Office Box......................................................................................            32
Pre-Funded Amount....................................................................................             9
Pre-Funding Account..................................................................................             9
prepayments..........................................................................................            13
Prospectus Supplement................................................................................             1
Purchase Agreement...................................................................................            20
Purchase Amount......................................................................................            20
Rating Agencies......................................................................................            12
Receivables..........................................................................................          1, 8
Receivables Pool.....................................................................................            19
Record Date..........................................................................................             5
Registration Statement...............................................................................             2
Relief Act...........................................................................................            18
Residual Interest....................................................................................             8
Rule of 78's.........................................................................................            21
Rule of 78's Receivables.............................................................................            21
Rules................................................................................................            27
Sale and Servicing Agreement.........................................................................         9, 18
Securities...........................................................................................             1
Securities Act.......................................................................................             2
Security Balance.....................................................................................             7
Securityholders......................................................................................             5
Seller...............................................................................................             4
Senior Securities....................................................................................             7
Series...............................................................................................         1, 25
Servicer.............................................................................................          1, 4
Servicer Termination Event...........................................................................            35
Servicing Agreement..................................................................................             4
Servicing Fee........................................................................................            32
Short-Term Note......................................................................................            41
Simple Interest Receivables..........................................................................            21
Sponsor..............................................................................................             4
Standby Servicer.....................................................................................            31
Strip Securities.....................................................................................             7
sub-prime............................................................................................            13
Sub-Prime Borrowers..................................................................................            22
Subordinate Securities...............................................................................             7
Subsequent Receivables...............................................................................             9
Subsequent Transfer Date.............................................................................        14, 20
Subservicer..........................................................................................             4
sum of monthly payments..............................................................................            21
</TABLE>
 
                                       49
 



<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
sum of periodic balances.............................................................................            21
Terms and Conditions.................................................................................            28
Trust................................................................................................          1, 4
Trust Accounts.......................................................................................            30
Trust Agreement......................................................................................             4
Trust Assets.........................................................................................          1, 4
Trust Documents......................................................................................         5, 29
Trustee..............................................................................................          4, 5
Underwriting Agreement...............................................................................            47
</TABLE>
 
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<PAGE>
===============================================================================
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CPS, THE
SELLER OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
                    ------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       TABLE OF CONTENTS
                     PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                                   PAGE
                                                   -----
<S>                                                 <C>
Available Information...........................     S-2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.....................................     S-2
Reports to Noteholders..........................     S-3
Summary.........................................     S-4
Risk Factors....................................    S-17
Formation of the Trust..........................    S-19
The Trust Assets................................    S-20
CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio.............    S-21
The Receivables Pool............................    S-28
Yield Considerations............................    S-35
Pool Factors and Other Information..............    S-35
Use of Proceeds.................................    S-36
The Seller, CPS, Samco and Linc.................    S-36
The Standby Servicer............................    S-36
Description of the Securities...................    S-36
Registration of Notes...........................    S-38
Description of the Trust Documents..............    S-39
Credit Enhancement..............................    S-50
The Policy......................................    S-50
The Insurer.....................................    S-52
Federal Income Tax Consequences.................    S-53
ERISA Considerations............................    S-53
Underwriting....................................    S-54
Legal Opinions..................................    S-55
Experts.........................................    S-55
Index of Terms..................................    S-56
 
                      PROSPECTUS
Prospectus Supplement...........................       2
Available Information...........................       2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.....................................       2
Report to Securityholders.......................       3
Summary of Terms................................       4
Risk Factors....................................      13
The Issuers.....................................      18
The Trust Assets................................      19
Aquisition of Receivables by the Seller.........      20
The Receivables.................................      20
CPS's Automobile Contract Portfolio.............      22
Pool Factors....................................      23
Use of Proceeds.................................      23
The Seller and CPS..............................      23
The Trustee.....................................      24
Description of the Securities...................      25
Description of the Trust Documents..............      29
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables........      36
Federal Income Tax Consequences.................      40
ERISA Considerations............................      46
Plan of Distribution............................      46
Legal Opinions..................................      47
Financial Information...........................      47
Index of Terms..................................      48
</TABLE>
                      ------------------------
     UNTIL 90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE CLASS A NOTES OFFERED HEREBY, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS
TO DELIVER THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS
UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                                  $235,532,000

                                   [CPS Logo]

                              CPS AUTO RECEIVABLES
                                  TRUST 1998-3
 
                              5.6375% ASSET-BACKED
                                NOTES, CLASS A-1
                              5.8550% ASSET-BACKED
                                NOTES, CLASS A-2
                              5.9950% ASSET-BACKED
                                NOTES, CLASS A-3
                              6.0800% ASSET-BACKED
                                NOTES, CLASS A-4
 
                             CPS RECEIVABLES CORP.
                                    (SELLER)
 
                               CONSUMER PORTFOLIO
                                 SERVICES, INC.
                                   (SERVICER)
                          ------------------------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                         ------------------------------
                                NOMURA SECURITIES
                              INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                 JULY 27, 1998
===========================================================================


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