When the time comes to shop for a new car, there are a few questions you need to answer.

Here are two of the most important:

• Are you most interested in a new or preowned vehicle?
• Do you require a car loan or will you pay with cash?

Once you know the answers to these questions, it’s easier to set a budget and put yourself on the right path to making a confident buying decision.

Should you find yourself in need of a car loan, there are various questions to answer and concerns to address.

While no two people are in the exact same situation—especially when shopping for a car—there are some questions that almost anyone can answer.

Here are 10 of the most important:

• Do you have a current relationship with a bank that can provide you with a car loan?
• Are you searching for a new car loan or a used car loan?
• What’s most important to you in a lender and loan?
• How will your credit score impact the interest rate that you receive?
• What term car loan are you most interested in?
• How much money do you want to put down on your purchase?
• Does the dealer have a finance department that can assist you with your search?
• Are you willing to borrow from a lender that you’ve worked with in the past?
• Are you familiar with all the costs associated with securing a car loan?
• Do you have the potential to avoid a car loan by paying with cash?

These types of questions will clear the air, thus allowing you to better understand what’s available to you in regards to the type of vehicle you purchase.

As you address these questions, you should expect others to come to light. Address these, too. There’s no reason to ignore a question and hope that it doesn’t come back to haunt you.

The biggest mistake you can make is sweeping your questions and concerns under the rug. Should you go down that path, you could end up with a car loan that doesn’t suit you.

Final Thoughts

Maybe you know the answers to all these questions. Maybe you don’t know the answers to any. Or perhaps you’re familiar with a few of them.

Regardless of your current knowledge, don’t make the mistake of rushing through the process of securing a car loan.

When you make the right decision upfront, you’ll feel better about the loan that you’ll carry for the next 12+ months.

Do you make it a habit to answer these questions before searching for and applying for a car loan? Have you had success securing a loan in the past?