Down Payment on a Car (2024)

FAQs

Down Payment on a Car? ›

How much should you put down on a car? One rule of thumb for a down payment on a car is at least 20% of the car's price for new cars and 10% for used — and more if you can afford it. These common recommendations have to do with the car's depreciation and how car loans work.

In general, you should strive to make a down payment of at least 20% of a new car's purchase price. For used cars, try for at least 10% down. If you can't afford the recommended amount, put down as much as you can without draining your savings or emergency funds.

If you're considering a car that costs $25,000, putting down between $2,000 and $4,000 would be wise. However, the true answer to this question depends on your negotiation strategy. If you can negotiate a lower price or better terms, putting more money down may not save you much interest.

Consider putting at least $6,000 down on a $30,000 car if you're buying it new or at least $3,000 if you're buying it used. This follows the guidelines of a 20% down payment for a new car or a 10% down payment for a used car.

How much should you put down on a car? A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation.

There is no true one-size-fits-all answer to how much you need to put down on a vehicle. However, a good rule of thumb when buying a new vehicle is to have your down payment by 20% or more of the total purchase price.

It's good practice to make a down payment of at least 20% on a new car (10% for used). A larger down payment can also help you nab a better interest rate. But how much a down payment should be for a car isn't black and white. If you can't afford 10% or 20%, the best down payment is the one you can afford.

How much should you spend on a car? Whether you're taking out an auto loan or a personal loan to pay for your car, it's a good idea to limit your car payments to between 10% and 15% of your take-home pay. If you take home $4,000 per month, you'd want your car payment to be no more than $400 to $600.

Your credit score is crucial to determine your eligibility for a no down payment car loan. Most lenders require a FICO credit score of at least 680 before you can qualify. If your credit score falls below 680, improve your credit score before you apply to help you qualify in the future.

Here's the short answer: As much as your wallet can comfortably afford! You see, making a larger down payment is one of the best ways to secure approval for an auto loan – even if you've got less-than-stellar credit. And speaking of wallets – it'll save yours some loot by lowering interest payments in the long run too.

Can I buy a 30k car with cash? ›

Yes, you can use cash to pay for a new or used car. However, when buying a vehicle, the broader meaning is that you won't be financing an auto loan for the purchase.

The 35% rule states that the most that you should spend. on the price of a car. is not to exceed 35% of your gross income. That means if you make $40,000 a year, the cars price should not exceed $14,000. If you make $80,000, the cars price should be below $28,000.

Disadvantages of a Larger Down Payment

The two biggest cons of making a down payment that's around 50 percent are: More money down doesn't lower your interest rate – Bad credit car buyers get higher than average interest rates, and it's extremely rare that a larger down payment can lower it.

It's widely advised to put down at least 10% of the vehicle's value to increase your odds of getting approved for a loan, and to minimize your interest charges. If you want something more pricey than $10,000, you may need more than $1,000 down, but this depends on your individual situation.

Based on the OneMain personal loan calculator, a $5,000 loan with a 25% APR and a 60-month term length would be $147 per month. The loan terms you receive will depend on your credit profile, including credit history, income, debts and if you secure it with collateral like a car or truck.

To calculate your monthly car loan payment by hand, divide the total loan and interest amount by the loan term (the number of months you have to repay the loan).

How much should a car down payment be? Financial experts recommend a down payment of at least 20 percent when financing a new or used vehicle. This amount is steep for many, especially with the recent spike in new and used car prices. For example, a 20 percent down payment on a $40,000 vehicle is $8,000.

You'll really see changes for the financial better in your car loan when you make a really large down payment, about 50%.

According to our research, you shouldn't spend more than 10% to 15% of your net monthly income on car payments. Your total vehicle costs, including loan payments and insurance, should total no more than 20%.

YOU'LL GET A BETTER DEAL ON A CAR LOAN

If you make a down payment, you'll still finance or borrow the remainder of the cost. But the payment reduces your loan-to-value ratio—the amount of your loan divided by the cash value of the vehicle. A lower loan-to-value ratio often leads to better loan deals.