Buying a car can be a confusing and difficult task if you are not properly prepared. Our goal at AutoLoanWarehouse is to make auto shopping that much easier. That's why we've prepared an introductory car shopping lesson to help you make reasoned, informed finance and car buying decisions. Take a moment to read some of the considerations you should make when purchasing your car. Feel free to refer to our Auto Glossary for any terms you are not familiar with.

Purchase Variables	Impact on Monthly Payment	Impact on Auto Finance Rate
High Car Trade-In Value		N/A
High Monthly Income	N/A
High Car Sticker Price		N/A
Increased Loan Term		N/A
Used Car
New Car
Good Credit
Bad Credit

1. The Starting Point
Shopping for a car should begin with a calculation of your overall income and budget. The average finance payment on a car is about 13-15% of your monthly income. Take into account the cost of gas, insurance, licensing fees and other costs to get a picture of what type of car you can afford. Remember, as the cost of your car rises, your costs of gas, insurance tend to increase with it.

2. Determine Your Credit Situation
The kind of car you may qualify for is dependant on both your monthly income and credit situation. If you are not familiar with your credit history, you may obtain a copy of your credit report from any of the major credit bureaus. It is important to check your credit report periodically to determine if there may be errors in it, which limit your auto finance options. The Special Finance Manager of the dealership we match you with will help you determine what type of car you are eligible for.

3. Assess Your Priorities
Once you have determined roughly what you can afford, you are now ready to determine which car features and are most important. Are you set on buying a new car, or would you prefer a used car at a reduced cost? Research the make and model of the car that fits in with your budget. Then weigh the costs of the car accessories and decide which ones are mandatory and which are optional. Please refer to the chart above to factor in all the variables affecting your monthly payment, the loan amount, and interest rate.

4. We Do The Rest
At this point, you are ready to make an informed decision about what you can afford and what type of automobile you want. Let AutoLoanWarehouse help you with the rest.