To counteract these risks, you need a tool to help you calculate beforehand the amount of money involved. Car loan payment estimators can estimate what your monthly payments would be, how much you have to make in order to pay for your auto loan, and how much you can afford to borrow.

There are many websites that offer car loan estimators as a free service. Below are some great places where you can get these car loan estimators and start solving your way to get financing for a vehicle.

AutoSite. com – Car Loan Estimator

AutoSite. com is an online auto financing agency that offers a free car loan estimator. Their car loan estimator has a dual function. It can calculate auto loans and leases and even compare the rates of both to see which one is better. To start using this car loan estimator available at http://AutoSite.com, simply fill in the necessary information in the required fields.

If you only want to calculate the loan payments, fill up the left side of the car loan estimator and then press the ‘Calculate Loan’ button. You can do the same thing for calculating the lease but instead of filling up the left side, enter your information into the fields to the right and click the ‘Calculate Lease’ button.

If you want to compare a car loan vs. a car lease using this car loan estimator, enter the following information: negotiated vehicle price, suggested vehicle MSRP, interest rate, loan term, lease term, money factor, and estimated residual value. After you’ve provided those pieces of data, click on the ‘Compare Loan vs. Lease’ button and view the results on the next page.

AutoWorld. com – Car Loan Estimator

Another great place to look for a car loan estimator is http://AutoWorld.com. This site features a car loan estimator that is simple and easy-to-use. The car loan estimator available at http://AutoWorld.com can help you determine what your monthly payments would be.

For example, you borrow $50,000.00 on a car at 2.7% APR for 24 months. By entering the data to the car loan estimator, the monthly payment field will automatically populate the figure, which is $2,142.43. The calculations shown do not include charges such as tax, title, license fees, et cetera.

AutoNetFinancial .com – Car Loan Estimator

AutoNetFinancial. com features two types of car loan estimators. The first car loan estimator is a quick loan qualifier. This car loan estimator will give you a general idea of the monthly loan payment you will qualify for to buy a car. To start the estimate, key in the following pieces of information: average gross monthly wage, other verifiable income, co-buyer’s average gross monthly wage (if applicable), and other expenses, such as installment loans, rent, and any other fixed monthly payments. Click on the ‘Calculate’ button and this car loan estimator will give you the monthly payment figure that you can use as basis when you’re looking to buy a new car.

According to Bankrate.com, interest rates on new car loans rose steadily throughout 2005 and the pattern is expected to continue into 2006. The difference of just two percentage points on your APR can either save or cost you more than $1,400 over the life of a typical loan.

“Many consumers do not realize that they have other options for financing their car, outside of the dealership,” said Brian Reed, vice president of Capital One Auto Finance. “There are some great options for consumers to finance their car on a direct basis, versus relying on the dealer to provide that service for you.”

Because education is the key to getting the best deal when financing a car, Capital One Auto Finance offers prospective car buyers the following helpful tips:

Set a realistic budget. Choose a vehicle that won’t overextend you financially. A general rule of thumb is that no more than 15 percent to 20 percent of your total monthly budget should go toward all your car-related expenses.

Verify your credit record. Order a copy of your credit report to ensure it’s accurate and in good shape. Correct any errors before applying for a loan.

Comparison shop for loans. Check out credit unions, banks and online lenders to see what rates are available in the market, so that you know a competitive rate when you see one. Visit Web sites such as www.bankrate.com and www.capitaloneautofinance.com.

Arrive with financing in your pocket. Having approved, no-obligation financing in hand gives you a competitive advantage when you go to buy, giving you the power of a cash buyer. If the dealer offers a better loan rate, you can take it with no penalty.

Approach your purchase as three transactions. It’s best to treat each part of the purchase separately: 1) financing; 2) trade-in; and 3) vehicle purchase. This will simplify the process and maximize your negotiating opportunities.

Match length of loan to expected length of ownership. Select your loan term based on how long you plan to own the vehicle. Buyers who take out longer-term loans can find themselves “upside down” on their loan (owing more money on the car than it’s worth in trade).

Review your financing terms carefully. Make sure you know your interest rate, monthly payment, amount you are financing, the length of your loan and your trade-in value.

“If car buyers would spend just a fraction of the time researching their auto loan as they do the latest features on their new car, they’d be surprised at how much money they could save,” said Reed of Capital One.

For more information about loan, please visit http://www.dezeinfo.com, which is a loan site with a lot of useful loan information on many different types of loan, and many useful loan tips to help you to avoid loan scam.