Determine the price range of the vehicle you're thinking of buying. Check newspaper ads, the Internet, and other publications.

Understand the value and cost of optional credit insurance if you agree to purchase.

Know the difference between buying and leasing a vehicle.

Be aware that your credit history may affect the finance rate you are able to negotiate.

Generally, you'll be able to get a lower rate if you've paid your monthly credit obligations on time.

Compare annual percentage rates and financing terms from multiple finance sources such as a bank, finance company and credit union. This information may also be available from the finance sources? and vehicle manufacturers? Web sites.

When Visiting the Dealership:

Stay within the price range that you can afford.

Negotiate your finance or lease arrangements and terms.

Consider carefully whether the transaction is best for your budget and transportation needs.

Understand the value and cost of optional products such as an extended service contract, credit insurance or guaranteed auto protection, if you agree to purchase. If you don't want these products, don't sign for them.

Read the contract carefully before you sign. You are obligated once you have signed a contract.

After Completing the Vehicle Purchase or Lease

Be aware that if you financed the vehicle, the assignee (bank, finance company or credit union that purchases the contract) holds a lien on the vehicle's title (and in some cases the actual title) until you have paid the contract in full.

Make your payments on time. Late or missed payments incur late fees, appear on your credit report and impact your ability to get credit in the future.

If You Encounter Financial Difficulty:

Talk to your creditors if you experience difficulties making your monthly payments.

Explain your situation and the reason your payment will be late. Work out a repayment schedule with your creditors and, if necessary, seek the services of a reputable non-profit credit counseling agency.

Know your obligations. Repossession can occur if you fail to make timely payments.

Creditor or assignee may take the vehicle in full satisfaction of the credit agreement or may sell the vehicle and apply the proceeds from the sale to the outstanding balance on the credit agreement. This second option is more common. If the vehicle is sold for less than what is owed, you may be responsible for the difference.

Be aware that the law in some states allows the creditor or assignee to repossess your vehicle without going to court.

Before You Arrive at a Dealership

Do some research.

Determine how much you can afford to finance and spend on a monthly payment.

Get a copy of your credit report so you are aware of what creditors will see. Errors or accurate negative information can impact your ability to get credit and/or your finance rate.

Identify your transportation needs.

Check auto buying guides, the Internet and other sources to find out the price range and other information for the vehicle you want to buy.

Compare current finance rates being offered by contacting various banks, credit unions or other lenders. Compare bank quotes and dealer quotes; there may be restrictions on the most attractive rates or terms from any credit source.

What Happens When You Apply for Financing

Most dealerships have a Finance and Insurance (F&I) Department, which provides one-stop shopping for financing. The F&I Department manager will ask you to complete a credit application. Information on this application may include: your name; Social Security number; date of birth; current and previous addresses and length of stay; current and previous employers and length of employment; occupation; sources of income; total gross monthly income; and financial information on existing credit accounts.

The dealership will obtain a copy of your credit report, which contains information about current and past credit obligations, your payment record and data from public records (for example, a bankruptcy filing obtained from court documents). For each account, the credit report shows your account number, the type and terms of the account, the credit limit, the most recent balance and the most recent payment. The comments section describes the current status of your account, including the creditor's summary of past due information and any legal steps that may have been taken to collect.

Dealers typically sell your contract to an assignee, such as a bank, finance company or credit union. The dealership submits your credit application to one or more of these potential assignees to determine their willingness to purchase your contract from the dealer.

These finance companies or other potential assignees will usually evaluate your credit application using automated techniques such as credit scoring, where a variety of factors, like your credit history, length of employment, income and expenses may be weighted and scored.

Since the bank, finance company or credit union does not deal directly with the prospective vehicle purchaser, it bases its evaluation upon what appears on the individual's credit report and score, the completed credit application, and the terms of the sale, such as the amount of the down payment. Each finance company or other potential assignee decides whether it is willing to buy the contract, notifies the dealership of its decision and, if applicable, offers the dealership a wholesale rate at which the assignee will buy the contract, often called the ?buy rate.?

Your dealer may be able to offer manufacturer incentives, such as reduced finance rates or cash back on certain models. You may see these specials advertised in your area. Make sure you ask your dealer if the model you are interested in has any special financing offers or rebates. Generally, these discounted rates are not negotiable, may be limited by a consumer's credit history, and are available only for certain models, makes or model-year vehicles.

When there are no special financing offers available, you can negotiate the annual percentage rate (APR) and the terms for payment with the dealership, just as you negotiate the price of the vehicle. The APR that you negotiate with the dealer is usually higher than the wholesale rate described earlier. This negotiation can occur before or after the dealership accepts and processes your credit application.