 TITLE: How to Choose the Right Car Loan for You CONTENT: Make Sure Your Credit Is in Good Shape\n--------------------------------------\nBefore you apply for a car loan, it's important to make sure your credit is in good shape. While it's possible to get a car loan with bad credit, you'll get more favorable terms if your score is higher.\nCheck your credit score and get a copy of your credit report from Experian or AnnualCreditReport.com, then look for any problem areas you may need to address. If you're behind on payments with one or more accounts, try to get caught up as quickly as possible and pay on time going forward. If you have high credit card balances, work on paying them down.\nImproving your credit can take time, and it's not always possible to boost your score quickly enough if you need to get into a new car now. But if you have time, it can make a big difference in the type of car you can qualify for and how much you ultimately pay to finance it. END