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Before you apply for your next car loan, make sure you are getting the lowest rate possible. First, take a look at your credit and loan qualifications. Next, select terms that are most favorable for your budget. And finally, research car loan lenders to find the best deal on financing. 1. Research Lenders Before You Sign One of the most effective ways to save money on your used car purchase is to research lenders before you buy. Not only will you be able to find the most competitive financing, but you will also be able to better negotiate your car's selling price. 2. Select The Best Terms For You Loan terms affect both your budget and loan costs. For the cheapest loans, select the shortest period. With a used car loan, you can get lower rates by agreeing to buy from a dealership. If the size of your monthly payment is of concern, then select a seven year loan. Adjustable rate loans will also give you a lower payment, at least at first. While you are thinking about terms, decide how much you want to borrow now. You can do this based on your monthly payment or the type of car you want. 3. Take Care Of Your Loan Qualifications Your credit history is of prime concern to lenders. To make sure they are getting the best picture of you, make sure your credit report is up to date and accurate. You can do this by checking a free copy of your credit report. If you do discover any mistakes, take it up with the reporting agency. Besides your credit history, lenders also want to know about your assets. For the best rates, plan on a down payment of 20% or more. You will also want to have some cash in the bank as a reserve fund. Lenders prefer to see reserves for two or more months' worth of living expenses. If you have no or bad credit, you can also get a co-signer to improve your car loan application. The lender bases their decision on the co-signer's good credit while you make the payments.
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