New/Used Car Loan

You have more negotiating power and probably get much better terms if you are able to walk into a dealer with a blank check from a bank/CU instead of dealing with their finance team.

You may be able to negotiate a better price if you use their financing. Then you can just refinance immediately with your bank/CU.

At low interest rates (below 4%), I would not put any money down unless you have the extra cash around and your retirement vehicles are fully funded already.

Most dealers use credit unions, and credit unions have set rates. So if you do not want to go through all that, I would just say when you at dealership/purchasing that you only want to go to X credit union (if you member, saw lowest rates online). Neighbors & efcu are pretty much at every dealership

Lightstream or PenFed.

I got an unsecured loan last August through Lightstream. Easiest process ever.

And if you have read WillCover's threat, you should know by now to go into negotiations with your financing complete.

If buying new and you have good credit, a few of the captive lenders will offer 0% financing.