 TITLE: How to Choose the Right Car Payment CONTENT: Other Ways to Get Low Monthly Car Payments\n------------------------------------------\nThere are plenty of options to lower your monthly car payments and make your car more affordable.\n*   **Improve your credit score.** A higher credit score qualifies you for better loan terms. If your credit score is only fair or poor, wait a bit to buy your car until you've improved it. Find out how to improve your credit score.\n*   **Save for a larger down payment.** The more you can afford to put toward a down payment, the lower your monthly car payments will be. A bigger down payment also reduces the loan amount you'll need, helping to keep your overall debt manageable.\n*   **Lease the car.** If you're craving a new car but can't afford the monthly payments to buy one, leasing generally offers lower monthly payments for the same type of vehicle. Just make sure you understand all the costs involved, as well as restrictions such as mileage limitations, and remember that you won't own the car when the lease is up. Learn more about leasing a car to find out if it's right for you.\n*   **Look for a less expensive or used car.** Today's late-model used cars offer many of the same extras and features as brand-new models at significantly lower prices. If you don't want to buy a used car, set your sights on a less expensive new car. You'll have lower monthly payments and still get to savor that new-car smell.\nTo get the best possible auto loan, get a free credit report and check your credit score three to six months before you start shopping for a car in earnest. When you get to the dealership, the dealer may try to get you to focus on lowering your monthly payment—often with a longer-term loan that costs more in the end. Don't let them dissuade you. Focus on the total cost of the car loan, not the monthly payment, to get the car you want at an affordable price. END