Most manufacturers, dealers, and credit unions allow you to get pre approval. Credit unions are one of the better routes to go—you apply, then they approve you for X dollars so you know you have up to that amount when you shop for a car. With a dealer, it's a little risky. If you go to them and ask to be approved for $30,000, you're basically telling them how much you can afford. Then they're going to do everything possible to give you as cheap of a car for that amount of money.