When you want to buy a car and are trying to figure out how to pay for it your options can seem confusing. Financing a car is something that most of us will do in our lifetime, so let’s look at the two most popular options: obtaining financing from a private lender, and obtaining financing from the dealership.

Financing Through a Private Lender

When you are going to get a loan, be sure to get a copy of your credit score and credit report before you go so that you’re armed with that information ahead of time. This information helps lenders determine whether or not to approve you for a loan and what interest rate to offer you if you are approved. This is an important first step because your credit score can actually take a bit of a hit when you are comparing lenders if they are all making requests for your credit history. Once you have that information start contacting banks and credit unions to determine who has the best rates and terms for the loan.

Rates for used cars will be a bit higher than new cars, so be ready for that if you are trying to buy a used car. If you are buying a used car, these are some important things you should know before you go to get financing:

• • Make and model
• • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• • Age of the car
• • Mileage on the car
• • Sometimes lenders will have restrictions on whether or not they can even issue loans based on when the car was initially purchased, how many miles are on it, and what the standing is of the title.

Once you have found the best rate bring a pre-qualification letter, which states the terms and conditions of the loan, to the dealership so that you can prove that you have secured financing. This will also give you bargaining power if the car dealership offers you financing at a higher rate. Also be sure to bring that same credit report and credit score that you brought to the bank. This will provide you with as much leverage as possible to get a good rate from the dealership to compete with what you have already locked in with your bank.

Financing Through a Dealership

Interest rates from car dealerships tend to be higher than rates from private lenders so if you can get a lower rate from a bank or credit union that is usually the best route to take. The advantage of getting financing from the dealership is that they can work more with people who may have difficulty getting bank financing due to their credit. Dealerships have to offer financing on the vehicles that they sell and if you cannot get financing elsewhere, having financing at a higher rate is better than having no financing at all. Dealerships are also able to offer incentives that banks cannot offer. For instance, dealerships can offer things like a trade-in on your current vehicle and rate reductions or better terms if you supply a down payment.

Some Lessons to Remember:

1. Not all credit scores will be the same. It may be worth checking using multiple credit score services to ensure that you are getting the credit score that is going to give you the best chance of securing financing and getting the best interest rate.
2. Check multiple sources! If you just go with whatever financing is presented to you from the dealership you may be missing out on a better rate. Over the lifetime of the car this can add up to a large sum!
3. If you get turned down for financing that can be difficult to hear, but it might actually be for the best. Getting rejected when applying for a loan means that the lender does not have certainty that you will be able to pay back that loan. So take that information and know that you will likely have to look for a less expensive car.

The 2014 Ram 1500 has been named pickup truck of the year by AutoBytel.com. Autobytel is dedicated to aiding consumers with research to find the information they need to make smart decisions when it comes to purchasing a new or used automobile. With more than 80 years of experience under their engine and hundreds of vehicles driven, AutoBytel makes informed choices based on innovation, design, and over all features.

For the third year in row, the editorial team at Autobytel chooses the Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, as well as winners in each individual segment. The team, led by Michelle Narajo, Editor-in-Chief of the automotive media company, said that the results are a combination of the best choices for shoppers in the 2014 model year.

As the most recognized pickup truck on the road, the Ram 1500 boasts fuel saving systems due to its fuel efficient 3.6 liter V-6 engine that delivers best in class fuel economy of 25 and 18 mpg in the city. The Ram 1500 boasts a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. Other features of the pickup truck include thermal management and a stop-start system as well as pulse-width modulation. The aerodynamics of the truck include air and grille shutters. The 2014 model features a new EcoDiesel 3.0 liter engine that delivers unsurpassed torque and up to 9,200 pounds of towing capability.

Mike Febbo of Motor Trend says, “Our judges rated the EcoDiesel the highest in ease of towing as well,” and “as we established last year, the rest of Ram 1500 is class leading in just about every other respect,” according to this news article on AutoBytel.com.

Further, they ran a test-track evaluation designed to mimic the best and worst days a truck may face, including hauling and climbing hills and the 2014 Ram 1500 managed 15 MPG, the article explains.

Buyers can choose from three cab styles, three bed lengths, and 10 trim levels. In addition, each 2014 Ram 1500 can be optioned to include highlights such as heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry with push button starting, remote engine starting, a universal garage door opener, upgrades for the audio system, Uconnect 8,4 technology, navigation system, air suspension, reversing camera, and nicer wheels. Additionally, most Ram 1500s can be upgraded with a RamBox cargo-management system with storage bins integrated right into the truck’s bed.

For the second year in a row, the Ram 1500 has been voted pickup truck of the year by both Motor Trend and Autobytel. So what are you driving?

The frequency of car washing can be a dilemma. Sometimes it is necessary to wash a vehicle more often due to outdoor parking, environmental contaminants, and natural plant life involved. Sometimes it is better to wash a vehicle less often like when living near a desert or beach. Experts recommend different lengths of time from every day to once a month. However, a month is the absolute longest that a vehicle should ever go.

Washing Daily

There are several reasons that a person might want to wash their vehicle on a daily basis especially if it is necessary to park or drive in unfavorable weather. This is true for places that receive a lot of snow in the winter and have high amounts of salt on the roads; where the salt washes up onto the under-body of the vehicle. Vehicles that spend a lot of time parked in or near industrial parks, high contamination areas, or close to areas with excessive amounts of pollen can also benefit from daily washes. Vehicles that travel far distances should be washed more often as well. Having a long commute means more bugs, debris, and pollen that collect on a vehicle. Travelling highways increases contaminants because the speeds are usually higher.

Washing Weekly

People who live in a suburb away from contaminants can opt to wash their vehicle on a more acceptable basis. Washing a vehicle daily is a time consuming process unless a daily automatic car-wash is preferred. Most places recommend that drivers wash their car at least every two to three weeks. The reasoning behind this is because if it is too hot, your clear coat can be damaged significantly and if it is too rainy it can cause contaminants to cling to the vehicle. Either way it goes, it is best to wash a vehicle more often to be on the safe side.

Washing Monthly

Those that live in a very rural area and who do not suffer dust storms, sand blowups, heavy environmental debris and who receive rain on a regular basis can go up to a month without washing their vehicle. Most experts would recommend that this should be the longest that a vehicle should go between washing. In just the right conditions, a vehicle that is cared for properly including regular waxing can be kept clean for a months’ time. Washing on a monthly basis is helpful for people that have hectic schedules, who work long periods of time at once, or who cannot wash the vehicle more often.

Other Tips

Some of the most helpful tips that experts offer when vehicles owners are deciding on a vehicle wash schedule are looking at where one lives, works, and how often and far the vehicle travels. Paying attention to the number of factories, high pollen areas, and places that have a lot of snow can help set up a good car washing routine. Car wash frequency is important to keep acidic chemicals from eating through paint and clear coat. It is also important for keeping contaminants, pollen, animal waste, and dust from eroding the vehicle paint job over a long period.

It is important to take a look at the surroundings that a vehicle spends the most time in before setting a schedule. Paying particular attention to high contamination areas like those with excess snow or near a lot of factories helps a vehicle owner decide car wash frequency. Car wash frequency should reflect the indoor or outdoor conditions of the vehicle, the ability of the owner, and the types of chemicals chosen. Experts always recommend reading the manufacturer’s instructions on any car wash cleaning agents.