If you think about it, the most grueling part of the car-buying process, after agreeing on a price, is acquiring the right kind of loan for your new or used car. Most consumers enter the car dealership completely unprepared for the loan application process, and that lack of knowledge and planning is costing them millions of dollars every year.

If you want to create a win-win situation for you and the car dealership you purchase your car from, there are five steps to take before you sit down at the negotiation table: get your credit report, surf before buying, go local, speak the language and be prepared to negotiate.

1.) Get Your Credit Report
You can’t pick up a personal finance article, magazine or book that does not refer to the importance of knowing what is on your credit report. Despite the fact that modern media has been beating us over the head with this advice for the past couple of decades, most people do not know their credit score or check their credit report on a regular basis. You can get a copy of your report by directly contacting the three credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian (formerly TRW).

Not knowing your credit score and the details of your credit report before applying for a car loan is a monumental mistake. You want to have any blemishes on your report resolved before you apply for a car loan, because the results of your lender’s credit inquiry directly impact your interest rate.

Your credit report includes: basic information about you – name, address, social security number, etc.; your late payments, any outstanding debts you have, the amount of credit available to you; any public records on you such as judgments and bankruptcies; and inquiries into your credit from potential employers or lenders.

And just because you have caught up late payments, cleared outstanding debts or cleared up any judgments does not mean these blemishes are automatically removed from your credit report. Sometimes, you need to follow up with the creditors to make sure they report your reconciliation of debt to all three credit bureaus.

In addition, identity theft and/or fraud can result in false, unfavorable records on your credit report. In January 2006, the Federal Trade Commission reported that more than 686,000 people reported identity theft and fraud complaints in 2005. Stolen identity and fraud can result in major credit report issues.

2.) Surf Before Buying
You’ll be far less tempted to impulse buy, driving away from the car dealership with a car you can’t afford if you have established boundaries in your mind before you begin.
You can save big money on your car loan if you have a budget and type of car in mind before you go shopping. One easy way to accomplish this is to go online and check out different car dealership websites.
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If you’re like the average American, chances are you buy a new car every five years or so. Most people need an auto loan when they buy a new vehicle, whether it’s a car, truck, SUV or van and since the interest on auto loans can add up over time–especially on a five or seven year loan!–it’s important to try and get the lowest rate possible on your car loan. So find a low rate car loan by…

Getting your loan before you shop!

If you wait until you get to the car lot to think about financing, the dealer will try and push “dealer financing” on you. That’s because his financing usually comes with extra “padding” to make you pay more–and to boost his bottom line. The interest rate on dealer financing is often 3% higher than financing from a bank, credit union and or online loan company. So get a loan before you shop for a car. Another bonus: you’ll have more negotiating power for the price of the car since the dealer knows you’re a financially stable customer.

Knowing the current rates!

You’ll never know if you’re getting a good deal unless you know the going rates for car loans! Search the web, call around to local banks and ask friends or family what the current interest rates are for car loans. Be sure to compare apples to apples by considering things like loan term, since longer term loans often have lower rates. Your credit history will have an effect on your rate, too.
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When buying a new car, a common issue is the way people pay for it. Most use car finance to pay for their vehicles. If you want to make the best deal, you will have to understand car finance and the intricacies of its processes.

When buying a vehicle there are a couple of aspects people think about: whether their future car will be a new one or a used one and where they will get the money from. Regarding the money, problems can be solved by obtaining the car finance from banks, credit unions, dealerships, or auto manufacturers. However, when considering buying an old car, one has to think of the differences between car finance for a new or for a used car and its advantages and disadvantages. People tend to favor new cars. If you are asking yourselves “why?” then you surely heard some attractive commercials. Most of the unbelievable offers are too good to be true, but they come with extra requirements like high down payments and very high interest rates. For a good deal, negotiation is the only adoptable strategy that will make room for more advantages and less terms and conditions.

Making a loan requires a copy of your credit report and a check of payment histories. The lender will verify every aspect of your financial background in order to give you car finance. Once you have all the paperwork done, gather information, ask the dealers for the best offer and use every detail to bargain.

Pre-Approved loans are better for your car finance because you can find near market rates. Start by looking for a good sub prime lender. Search the Internet, look at closing costs, fees, compare and use the APR number to get the overall cost. This car finance can save you money.
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