So, you have made the decision to purchase a car. And you of course need some sort of financing in order to make it happen, especially if you are looking to buy a new car or a gently–used one from a dealership. In such cases, most of the time, the options and advice can be endless, and overwhelming. So, knowing some of the common traps that one can fall into, and avoiding them, as well as learning tips and tricks to get the best possible car financing based on your credit score, chosen car make and model, and financing agency are essential.

For starters, be prepared. Do your research – not just the vintage, make and model of the car, but also your credit history, the type and amount of loan you are likely eligible for, and which kind of financial institution makes the most sense for your need. Is it your bank, the local credit union, or perhaps an online car financing company or auto loan agency, or is going with your dealership the best? Next, be prepared to negotiate the price and terms, and work towards making the best possible deal for yourself, especially when you’re working with a dealership.

Stay firm, and don’t fall for high interest loans, because they will just make the worth of your purchase lower in the long run, and lead to heartache. Keep the terms short – the longer your loan is for, the most you will be paying out in the long run. Sure, you pay less when you stretch the loan out for a number of years, and your auto dealer will make that seem enticing. However, it would behoove you to stick to no more than 5 years, even if they offer you up to 7 years to pay off the loan. And of course, optimal would be a 3 year span. Also, if you can manage a bigger down payment, do it. Better to stretch a little at the beginning than end up paying out so much more in interest over the years.