You’ve found the car of your dreams, and you’re dying to drive that beauty off the lot. Keep in mind that same car is available elsewhere, and you may benefit from shopping around for better financing. Slow down your heart rate, pretend you’re not as excited as you are, and make sure you find out everything about the auto loan. Here are some questions to ask the lender before you sign on the dotted line.

• What APR (annual percentage rate) are you going to pay? Find out what the actual interest will be. Check to make sure it’s the best rate they can offer you. Have a copy of your credit score with you, and ask them what credit score is necessary for their best rate offers. Make sure you’re not being offered a higher interest rate than you qualify for.

• What is the exact price you will be paying for the vehicle?

• How long is the life of the loan? How much will you pay total at the end of the loan? How much of that is interest?

• If you pay extra on payments, will it go directly to pay down principal and shorten the length of your loan?

• Are there any extra charges written into the contract? Find out what happens if you pay the loan off early. Look for hidden charges. If anything looks like charge or potential penalty, ask about it and get an adequate explanation for the fee or charge.

• Who is the actual lender? Is this offer already approved, or do they need to seek approval from another lender? Make sure they don’t come back to you a day or two later saying the lender won’t approve you, but this other lender will for a higher interest rate. Get the name of the lender and the signed loan before you leave. If the dealer can’t close the deal right then, leave the car there until the financing is complete at a rate you find acceptable.

• If they offer credit insurance, find out how much it will cost you. Ask for proof that it’s needed.

• Get verbal agreements or compromises in writing. If there’s anything that seems like it’s a great deal that you don’t see detailed on the contract, have the manager write it in and notarize it.

• Make it clear that you will not sign if the financing is not reasonable. Dealers are desperate to make sales, so they’ll often work with you within the constraints and limits placed upon them. Make sure you’ve gotten the best deal available before you sign.

• Don’t be afraid to shop around to different dealers. You can even check auto loans online and ask the dealer to find a lender who will compete with a quote you got online.

Take your time figuring out the financing before you drive that car off the lot. The peace you’ll have knowing you got the best deal possible will be make the experience of driving your new car all the more enjoyable.