<prompt> Human: Im sure its been asked, but Im not sure if Im just searching for it wrong, so thank you in advance!My husband and I are looking to purchase a new-to-us car in November. By then we should have a ten thousand dollar down payment. My husband is coming to the end of his 3 year lease with around 15,000 miles on it. Its a plus when we live within 5 miles from work and I usually drive my car around town. So Im not sure how much, if any, he will get for his unused miles. Were looking for a car between 16k and 20k before taxes, etc. So, my question is, when were at the dealership, when is the best time to inform them of our down payment? Before, during, or after we talk numbers? Edit: grammar Assistant: After you agree to the price of the car. Human: That seems easy enough to remember. Thanks!Assistant: Also come pre-approved for the loan if possible. Human: I hear good things about going through a credit union, but Im also under the impression that we need to be customers for some time before they will considering a decent loan. Do you know if theres any truth to that in your experience?Assistant: nope. Signed up for DCU the morning I went to get a car, was approved for a 1.9 loan immediately. Its all good! :Human: WHAT! Okay thats definitely the route we will try to go. How much time, at max, would be best for that? Meaning, should we test drive everything then go home and make a decision, when the decision is made then go sign up for a credit union and loan? And get the car?  <response>: The bankCU just needs some general info on the type of vehicle you will be purchasing with the loan. Get pre-approved before youre ready to sit down and talk price.Its very possible you will walk into a dealership and like a car, so you should be ready to buy. Also, make sure you eat. We werent planning to buy and wound up sitting in the gd stealership for about 6 hours. 