Jul 21, 2025 / Uncategorized
Ready to buy a car and pay for it like a total pro? When you’re rolling with a credit union like Utah First, you’ve got two solid ways to finance at the car dealership: Get pre-approved before you shop for extra negotiating power, or let the dealership work with a credit union on your behalf. Both ways get the job done, but only one puts you in the driver’s seat from the start.
If you’ve never bought a car this way before, don’t worry! Here’s exactly how to use your Utah First auto loan at the dealership without breaking a sweat.
Dealership financing can come with hidden fees, high rates, and surprise markups. So, before you even think about test-driving anything red and flashy, do yourself a favor and get pre-approved for an auto loan from Utah First.
When you do, you’ll have a clear idea of:
With a pre-approval in hand, you can walk into any dealership with leverage to stay in control — major power move.
Now comes the fun part: car shopping! Whether you’re looking for a sleek sedan, a family-friendly SUV, or a rugged truck, your pre-approved loan gives you the flexibility to shop at any dealership. Bring a copy of your pre-approval letter with you to show you’re a serious buyer. It might help you score a better deal!
As you shop, keep in mind:
Once you’ve found “the one,” it’s time to seal the deal!
When you sit down with the dealership’s finance team, they might offer to run their own numbers and pitch you on a dealership loan. Cute, but you came prepared. Your pre-approved rate from us is most likely better and comes with way fewer strings attached. Feel free to hit ‘em with a friendly “Thanks, but I’m already rolling with Utah First!”
Don’t have your pre-approval letter on you? No stress. Just give us a quick call! We’ll send everything straight to the dealership so you can stay in the driver’s seat — literally and financially.
Before you get caught up in the excitement and mentally name your ride, take a beat to review the purchase agreement like the financially savvy human you are.
Here’s what you should eyeball before you sign:
Once everything looks good, it’s time to sign and celebrate! Your new car is officially yours.
With your car keys in hand, you’re ready to hit the road! But before you blast your victory playlist and ride off into the sunset, let’s make sure you’re set up for smooth financial cruising.
Here’s your post-deal checklist:
No matter where your new car takes you, enjoy the well-deserved feeling of driving with confidence and a killer loan to match.
Still shopping around for the right loan? Let’s cut to it. Here’s why Utah First the best place to finance your next car:
If car shopping’s on your mind, let’s get your pre-approval in gear. At Utah First, we make the auto loan process fast, friendly, and doable for your budget. Here’s how we can get you rolling:
Get financed today and on to the fun part: hitting the town in style!