If you are planning to finance the car, now is the time to begin to get things in order, not after you have committed to buy. Start by running a complete credit check to eliminate the possibility that there might be errors present that could harm--or stop--the financing.

How's Your Credit History? You must have a copy of your credit report. Show up at a dealer before reviewing your credit report, and you might as well just give them your checkbook. A car dealer should never know more about your credit than you do, and besides, you might find an error in your report preventing you from getting a loan. Most places should get your report for $8. A good place to get your credit report online instantly is the iCreditReport Online credit report in 30 seconds. They are strict about security so if you type your data incorrectly, you won't be able to get it instantly, they'll mail it to you a week later. They give you a thorough Experian credit report. Be sure to do that first, most people don't even know what's on their credit report, or have never seen it.

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Note: A word about credit:

It is important that you arrange your financing prior to negotiating your vehicle's price with the dealer--ideally, before you even visit a dealership (this is where dealers can make the most money from you). Submit a simple application, and within 2 business days you will receive financing offers from multiple lending institutions, all competing for your business. The advantage of your local bank is that there is the possibility of a personal relationship with your banker. If you have a long term banking relationship at this local branch, you probably will get a good competitive rate with good terms. The disadvantage of a local (and smaller) bank may be an un-competitive rate. This usually applies to a nonestablished customer. Number (1), get your credit checked and in order. What is better, buying or leasing? To determine whether or not leasing is a viable alternative for you, you need to do a little self exploration of your needs and your car buying habits. Check out all of your options in this area. It becomes rather tedious, and tricky to understand all of these lease options.