 TITLE: How to Buy a New Car Online CONTENT: Get Your Finances in Order\n--------------------------\nOne of the most important things you can do before you even start looking at vehicles is to determine how much you can afford. Take a look at your budget, including your current car payment if you have one, to understand how much you can pay each month without putting too much stress on your finances.\nAlso, check your credit score to see where you stand. Unless you're paying with cash, you'll need to finance the vehicle with a lender—and the higher your credit score is, the better your chances of getting favorable financing terms such as a lower interest rate. If your credit needs some work and you have time before you need a new vehicle, consider working to improve your credit first.\nFinally, you'll want to get preapproved for a loan before you communicate with a dealer. There are several lenders that provide direct financing to consumers, and many of them offer online prequalification.\nDealers often like to negotiate a longer term on your auto loan to get you to buy a more expensive vehicle and still meet your target monthly payment. But if you have a preapproval in hand, it can help you and the dealer stick to a specific sales price range. END