Hi Purelife,
I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. Anytime someone quotes you a rate, make sure it is qouted as an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) not monthly.
A CA I know won't take out a loan. He swears it better to get a line of credit and use that as needed. It is cheaper than a loan if you put as much money back on it as soon as possible, even if it is only monthly because they only charge you interest on what is outstanding.
Cheers ad good luck.