<prompt> Human: So my title says it all. I am 28...never had a credit card. I am afraid of debt and hate to owe anything! But its time for me to be a grown up and build some credit! My car broke down and I need a reliable one! I was thinking of sucking it up and going to a dealership and putting 2,000 down on a used vehicle and getting financed through them. But I was wondering if its better for me to go though a private party and get a loan from a bank? I am really not sure what my credit score is. I dont want to be screwed over by a dealership and their scams and fees. Is there another way? Thanks for any help :  <response>: You can get a loan from a bankcredit union and still buy at a dealership. You dont have to take their financing, and you should always get pre-approved from somewhere else first. That way you arent stuck with what the dealership says you qualify for, or have them play games with the financing. 