Congrats, grad!

Graduating high school or college is a major milestone in life. As you transition from school to the "real world," you might be considering another big step: buying a car.

But what if your credit isn't exactly an A-plus?

Don't worry -- you can still buy awesome Billings cars for sale. Here are our four tips for graduates on how to buy your dream car, whether you've got good or bad credit in Billings.

1. Check Your Credit Score

The first thing to do when shopping for Billings cars is check your credit score. Your credit score is one of the most important factors in determining what sort of vehicle you can afford, so you should know where you're at.

You can visit your local Billings car dealer to get your credit report pulled while you're consulting with a salesperson or browsing for vehicles. Check our hours and directions here.

That said, while your credit score is important, it's not the end of the world if you don't have a great one. At Denny Menholt Billings Nissan, we offer car loans for all credit situations. Learn more about our bad credit car loans!

2. Get Pre-Approved from Your Billings Car Dealership

Once you know your credit score, it's time to get pre-approved for a car loan from a trusted Billings car dealership like Denny Menholt Billings Nissan.

Even if you're swallowed up by student loans, you can still get approved for great auto financing in Billings. It's super easy and totally safe to get approved online by filling out our short form. You can also call our auto loan center at (406) 655-1111 to speak with an expert.

3. Calculate Your Monthly Payment

Next, decide what Billings cars you should be shopping for by calculating the monthly payment you can afford.

Our free Billings car payment calculator can help you do just that. Just enter the vehicle price and down payment you'd like to pay, and it will automatically estimate your monthly payment. Alternatively, you can plug in your desired monthly payment and down payment, and it will calculate a price range that fits your budget.

4. Shop for Billings Cars for Sale

Now that you know your budget, you're ready to start shopping for cars for sale in Billings!

And here's the great news -- you don't have to limit yourself to Billings used cars. Even if you have poor credit, you could still be driving a brand-new car from Denny Menholt Billings Nissan!

We're talking new Nissans in Billings with full factory warranties, backed by a full service department -- all for payments that are less than your monthly cell phone bill. Here are a few deals you could get:

• Buy a new 2015 Nissan Versa for less than $29 a week*
• Buy a new 2015 Nissan Sentra for less than $41 a week**

Hurry -- those deals expire June 30, 2016. But our car loans for graduates and other credit-challenged people are always on the table.

Because here at your favorite Billings car dealership, if you have a job, you have credit!

*Stock #A6154. MSRP $14,685. Selling price $9,435. Includes all factory rebates to dealer. $1,928 down payment. Plus tax, title, and license. $124.99 a month. 72 months 4.69% APR. $15.96 per $1,000 financed. With qualified credit. Subject to vehicle insurance and availability. Expires 6/30/16.

**Stock #A6368. MSRP $20,915. Selling price $13,465. Includes all factory rebates to dealer. Including $250 NMAC financing cash. $2,693 down payment. Plus tax, title, and license. $174.99 a month. 72 months 4.69% APR. $15.96 per $1,000 financed. With qualified credit. Subject to vehicle insurance and availability. Expires 6/30/16.