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Getting a Car Loan Checklist

In this article we have put together the 10 most important things you should know and do when you buy a car and shop for a car loan.

  1. Check your credit to make sure no errors or inaccuracies exist. Get a copy of your credit report and if there are any errors that are lowering your credit score, be sure to correct them before you apply for a car loan.
  2. When arranging the car financing at the dealership have a copy of your accurate credit report with you.
  3. Review your financial situation and determine the maximum monthly payment and the total purchase price you can afford to spend on your car. Try your best to stay within this amount no matter how hard the dealers and salespeople try to bump you off it.
  4. Remember that the drawback of buying a new car is that it depreciates quickly the minute you drive it off the lot. Providing a bigger down payment will save you from taking much loss or you could also choose to buy a used car.
  5. Do some research on the various car models available and make comparisons based on your needs and the cars' prices.
  6. Once you know what models you are interested in, go to the manufacturer's website and check what their price will be with the features you want. Take this information with you to the dealership.
  7. Check for any rebates, incentives, and other deals that are offered and you can take advantage of.
  8. Shop for a car loan; you should explore all of your financing options before you choose one particular. Collect detailed information about the financing you can get from credit unions, banks, and online financial institutions and compare their interest rates, application fees and loan terms. Take this information with you to the dealership so you can negotiate better terms for the dealer financing or take a loan preliminarily and go to the dealer as a cash buyer.
  9. If you already have a car that you want to trade in as part of the deal, then find out its value beforehand. You may use online used car appraisers for this purpose to get a rough idea what your car is worth.
  10. Finally, when everything is right with the car, the financing, the price and the dealership, don't hesitate too much. You have done your homework and now you can buy your new car.

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