Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Get The Best Deal On Your Car Finance

By John Brennan

We've all been there - the excitement of getting a new car. You've done the deal, the papers are signed, the dealer has handed over the keys, you've taken it home and let all your friends admire it. Then the doubts set in... How do you really know that you got the best deal on your car loan?

Thing is, you should definitely start asking this sort of question before you ever even set foot inside a dealership. When you go shopping for a new car well prepared, with all the facts and figures you might need, it can really help cut down your stress levels with such a big purchase! Plus, if you're prepared in advance, you don't spend the next five years thinking "did I really get a good deal on this car loan?"

Starting off, you need to take a look at your own history with car loans. Have you ever taken out finance on a car? Did you make all your loan payments on time? Did you clear the loan early? Or did you slip behind on your payments and end up with the vehicle being repossessed by the loan company? These are all things that are very important when you're looking to get the loan deal you're after.

Next up, get all the information about the car you want to buy - make, model, year of the vehicle. All this stuff is important. If it's a brand new car, you might want to check into what the future resale value might be, and whether it's considered a reliable vehicle. If you're buying used, check with other people who own the same model to see how well their car has performed over the years.

Now you've done this preliminary work, the next important step is to look into insurance for the vehicle. There's no point in leaving this until after you've picked the car of your dreams - there's nothing worse than setting your heart on a high performance sports car, and then discovering the insurance is so high you can't afford it! Also, it's a fact that almost all dealerships will want to see proof that you have insurance in place before you drive away in your new car.

With all of this done, you're probably just about ready to head out to the showroom and pick out your new ride, but hold off - you're not ready just yet! Before you start talking to dealers and negotiating on price, you should put some time into researching loans by yourself. Despite what a lot of people think, you do not need to take the loan the dealership offers you - you can arrange your own financing yourself, and if you can find a better rate, you should take it!

Make sure you set aside a few weeks to apply for loans and get notification of approval. Remember, just because youare approved, doesnat mean you have to accept the loan. Compare the loans that youare approved for, and figure out which has the best terms for you. Low interest is a key factor in this case.

Now, head to the dealership, and after youave settled on the car and the purchase price, let the dealer know that youave already got your loan in place, but youare willing to secure a loan through the dealership if they can offer better terms. They may be able to go even lower on interest, since they make more money if you secure a loan through them. Now, when youare driving your new car home, and you wonder, how do I know I got a good deal on a car loan? Youall know you did, because you did your research, and came prepared. - 15224

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