Should I finance through the dealership or get my own bank loan?

Finance through the dealership or get your own bank loan?

Smart move: Get preapproved with a bank or credit union first—then see if the dealer can beat your rate.

Dealers offer convenience and sometimes special promos, but watch out for interest rate markups (often about 1% higher than the lender’s rate).

If the dealer matches or beats your preapproval, go for it! If not, stick with your outside loan.

Bottom line: Shop around and compare — don’t assume dealer financing is always the best deal!