What websites can I pre-apply for a car loan to cross-compare interest rates?

[divinemartyr]

Or where can I go in person to make sure I'm getting the lowest APR possible?

Is it best to try to go through the dealership where I buy the car? I was thinking I had a better chance of a lower finance rate if I went somewhere else and had companies bidding for the lowest APR, much like Lending Tree does with home mortgages.

Anyone have any insight on this?

dm

 

[WW]

check

bankrate

find a low place, apply for it, and get the preapproved 'blank check' that you need when you buy the car.

Then at the dealer, when they bring up financing, tell them you have a great rate already X.X%. Usually they can beat it, even if it's the lowest on the internet. They have special deals with banks, and you can 'wheel and deal' for the interest rate just like you did for the price of the car.

I did this for my last two cars and each time got really good rates...almost a point lower than the best rate listed on bankrate...

(but you have to have a good credit rating)