Finding that special car is easy with The Auto Dealer, but if you are like most Americans, the next step is purchasing that special auto. Fortunately for us, lenders are always ready to offer financing solutions tailored to your budget. But before you buy, review these simple suggestions, and save yourself some pocket change.

The dealership is usually the most convenient source of financing. Dealers have national lenders who determine the interest rate based on the credit rating of the purchaser. The dealership may offer you a choice between a cash-back rebate from the manufacturer and low-rate financing -- typically a loan with zero-percent APR. Dealership financing is the most popular form of financing. But, zero-percent dealer financing usually come with higher monthly payments. In addition, the interest rate on dealer-financed loans could be higher than that of a local bank or credit unions! Therefore, it may be a better deal to take the rebate and then take out a low-interest loan from the bank.

Suppose, for example, you are buying an $18,000 car and you've put down a 10 percent deposit. The dealer offers you zero-percent financing or a $3,000 rebate. If you take out a loan with six percent interest and apply the rebate to your down payment, you will be $1,255 better off over four years than if you had accepted the dealer's zero-percent APR loan.

Financing Tip: Get pre-qualified for a loan. We suggest you to get pre-qualified for a car loan by a lender or lenders before going to the dealership. You can use these offers as leverage to try to reduce the dealer's interest rate. Then take the best deal you are offered.