How do you get pre-approval for a car loan?

Most car dealers, manufacturers, and credit unions allow you to get pre-approval. With credit unions, you apply, they approve you for a specific amount of money, and then you know you have up to that much to shop for a car. With a dealer, it can be a little more risky to seek pre-approval. If you go to a dealer and say, "Can you approve me for $30,000?" All of the sudden, you've told them how much you can afford and they may give you as cheap of a car as they can find for that amount of money. In order to get the best deal, make sure not to rush the process. Be willing to negotiate and go to a few different places.