There are plenty of hard decisions you need to take when you’re buying a car, but one that requires your complete attention is the auto loan. How can you find the best option for your financial situation? Which loan features are ideal and which one should you be on the lookout for? The process is complicated, but if you keep an open mind and compare lenders, you will find the best auto loan for your next car.

• Which car loan is the best?
  There is no simple or definite answer to such a question. It depends on what type of car loan you are looking for and for what type of car.

When qualifying for the car loan, consider the following points when comparing lenders.

Eligibility: Many lenders require to show your credit and income status. And some lenders are not available in certain states. Check out if you qualify for the loan before going any further.

Car eligibility: First and foremost, check if you can actually finance the car you are getting the loan for.

Cost of loan: Go through the fees and interest rate that comes with the loan. Compare loans with similar interest rates and choose the one that is most competitive and beneficial for you.

Flexible payments: Find out if you can pay off the loan early without any penalty or see if you can make additional payments without any extra charge. These types of features help you save money by making early payments.

Loan Term: Generally, car loan terms are between one to seven years. The longer the term the less amount you will pay monthly. The cost of interest with longer terms is substantially higher.

Loan Amount: The loan amount offered by the lenders is based on multiple factors like your credit history and your financial situation. But, with a secured car loan, ultimately the amount depends on the car.

Type of Loan: Whether the loan is for a new car or a used car, or whether it is a low-interest car loan or for a poor credit, all situations are different and depending on the situation you can find your best option which suits you the best.

• Is financing from a dealership a good idea?
  Usually, you won’t find the best auto loan with a dealership as they outsource their loans to direct lenders. The interest rate from a dealership is usually marked up to generate profit. That doesn’t mean that you won’t find an ideal deal from a dealership, but it’s advised to visit the financial institutions which already are established. This acts as an ideal backup plan if the dealership can’t provide a better deal and also helps negotiate the terms. It’s also possible that you may be able to find the best loan when you’re buying your next vehicle, even with dealer markup.
• Does larger down payment means a better deal?
  In simple terms, yes. Lenders are more willing to offer favorable terms when you have some money saved to use as a down payment. A larger down payment implies that you will borrow less money, which in turn reduces your overall monthly payment as well as the money you will pay the lender back with interest.