[NMRJock]

At my credit union I've always been given a check to use for the car of my choice. I go in and apply for the loan and they print me out the check good for up-to whatever I asked for and a contract that says that using the check will open a loan for whatever terms we agreed to. I think that the checks are good for something like 30 days with the option to just go get another when one expires. I've gotten the check before I've decided on the car (and I've also gotten the check and ended up tearing it up). See if you can work something like that out. My plan is to get one of these checks a couple of weeks before I expect my car to arrive.

 

[NMRJock]

A couple of times now I've called my insurance company from my cell phone in the dealership and given them the VIN. They have the binder faxed before the rest of the paperwork is done.

 

[NMRJock]

My credit union is doing 3.75% for up to 36 months and 3.99% for up to 48 months right now. Now if the payments still seem too steep they're offering an 84 (Yes, seven full years) month loan at 6.5%! This is all pretty meaningless to me right now though because my car is at least six months off.