Buying a new car at a dealership is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Once you’ve found a vehicle you like, price negotiations begin at a tiny desk on the showroom floor and don’t actually end until you’ve exited the office of the F&I (finance and insurance) manager. To take some stress out of your new auto purchase, plan ahead by knowing how much you’re willing to pay and what loan terms you’d like. And once the buying process is complete, you can enjoy the thrill of owning your new vehicle knowing you got it on your terms.

• Know your credit score. Good credit may give you negotiating power on your loan rate.
• Use the auto loan calculator above to get a ballpark estimate for a loan amount and term length that work within your budget.
• Look for auto loans that don’t include prepayment penalties or fees for early payoff.
• Consider applying for a WSECU auto loan before purchasing your new vehicle from a dealer or private party — you’ll have less to worry about as you negotiate sales price.
• Getting your loan through the dealership? Know their lenders before purchase or go to a dealership that works directly with WSECU.