 TITLE: What Are the True Costs of Car Ownership? CONTENT: Tips for Purchasing a Car\n-------------------------\nWhether you plan to buy a new car or are considering a used car, taking the same general approach to car buying will help you get the most for your money.\nStart by reviewing your income and expenses. Taking into account all the costs of car ownership, how much can you afford to spend on a car each month? If you don't have money for a down payment yet, how quickly can you save it up?\nAfter you have an idea of your budget, start researching and pricing cars online. If you're going to buy a used car, check local auto dealers' stock and look at Kelley Blue Book car values to get a price range for the car you want.\nOnce you have a price in mind, use an online auto loan calculator to assess how different loan terms and down payment amounts will affect both your monthly payments and the total amount of interest you'll pay for financing the car.\nYou'll have more negotiating power at the auto dealership if you've been preapproved for a loan before you visit. To find the best loan terms, apply for several different auto loans online. Just be sure to do it within a 14-day period. If all your applications are within that time frame, lenders' inquiries into your credit generally count as one inquiry when reported to credit bureaus, minimizing any negative effects on your credit score.\nAre you hoping to qualify for those 0% APR offers that auto dealers promote? Having good credit boosts your odds of qualifying for the best loan terms. Before you apply for any car loans, check your credit score and review your credit report for factors that might be dragging it down.\nIf you don't have good credit, delaying your car purchase until your scores improve could help you get more favorable loan terms and save you thousands of dollars in interest. Paying your bills on time, paying down your debt and using less of your available credit can all help improve your credit score. You can also give your credit score a nudge by using Experian Boost™† . This free service reports your utility, cellphone and streaming service bill payments to credit bureaus, which can improve your credit score instantly. END