for the first time, the best place to start is by taking a look at your credit report. Looking at your credit report lets you know what your score is, if you have any debt you need to pay down, and if you need to settle any delinquent or derogatory accounts.
Once you have this step completed, you should start shopping around for the best car loan rate. Getting pre-approval can aid in this process, as you can find out how much you might pay along with the maximum amount that a particular lender is willing to loan you. You don’t have to spend every last dime of this pre-approval rate (in fact, you should’t). It’s just a way to help you budget for the purchase.
Remember that your pre-approval has a lifespan between 30 and 60 days, so plan to get your car shopping done within that time frame.
Also, be sure to budget for car insurance as most lenders will require full coverage car insurance for a financed vehicle. Try using the number-one-rated car insurance app,
, to help you find the lowest rates. Jerry compares personalized quotes from more than 50 top providers and delivers the best deals to your phone in minutes for free. The average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance!
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.