Financing a car should not be something that you go out and get on impulse. Shop around and see what deals are currently being offered. Many dealerships are now offering rebates or low interest rate incentives. Even lending institutions may even offer you a low interest rate that will beat the dealerships, especially if you have good credit.
Knowing your credit score can help during the negotiating process when trying to finance a car. You should get a copy of your credit history for all the major credit bureaus and try to correct any blemishes that may be listed. Your credit history will affect your interest rate greatly on your auto loan financing.
It can not be stressed enough how important comparing interest rates at banks, credit unions, dealerships, and other financing institutions. If you find an interest rate that is lower from an outside lender then get a pre-approval. When you enter the dealership to look for your car it will give you a lot of power when you're negotiating the terms of your loan with a dealer. Make sure you include all fees associated with the purchase of your vehicle.
Financing a car may take time. However, it's time well spent because you're ensuring yourself that your purchase is being financed at the lowest interest rate that's available to you. The money that you will save over the time of the loan can add up to thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind in the car buying process.