As a general rule, you should pay 20 percent of the price of the vehicle as a down payment. That's because vehicles lose value, or depreciate, rapidly. If you make a small down payment or no down payment, you can end up owing more on your auto loan than your car or SUV is worth.
A rule of thumb for down payments on new car loans is 20% of the purchase price, which helps you avoid owing more on the loan than the car is worth.
If your credit score isn't good, however, you're typically required to make a down payment of at least $1,000 or 10% of the vehicle's selling price. This varies by lender, and some may accept the lesser amount. On a $20,000 car, that would be up to $2,000 down.
A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation. But if you can afford a larger down payment, you can save even more money on interest payments over the life of the loan.
Payments would be around $377 per month. According to the results, it will take you 60 months, an interest rate of 5% of $2,645, to fully pay your $20,000 car loan. However, the monthly cost of a $20,000 car loan will depend on your repayment period and the annual percentage rate (APR).
In general, it's recommended to spend no more than 10% to 15% of your monthly take-home income on your car payment, and no more than 20% on your total vehicle expenses, including insurance and registration. Read on to learn how you can determine how much car you can afford based on your financial situation.
As most borrow money from banks quite often, they already take care of that by default. On average, they get an APR of 2.89%, which obliges them to pay the following amounts monthly on a $15,000 loan: 12 months. $1269.25.
Avoid Being Upside Down on the Loan
Let's say you put $1,000 down on a $20,000 vehicle and finance $19,000 of the sticker price. With a 5% interest rate and a 60-month term, you'd owe $15,569.45 at the end of the first year. If your car were now worth less than that, you'd be upside down on your loan.
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 can use a car loan calculator to calculate a monthly payment within your budget.
A $20,000 loan at 5% for 60 months (5 years) will cost you a total of $22,645.48, whereas the same loan at 3% will cost you $21,562.43. That's a savings of $1,083.05. That same wise shopper will look not only at the interest rate but also the length of the loan.
Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.
Making a large down payment on a car may also limit your financing or refinancing options. Some lenders may not offer financing if you propose to make a down payment that the lender deems too large. You might not meet a lender's financing requirements if you're seeking to put 90% down on a vehicle that costs $25,000.
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.
Lenders often require down payments, but even when they don't it's a good idea to put money down anyway. That's because a down payment can mean paying less interest, having lower monthly payments and protecting yourself from owing more than your car is worth.
The monthly payment on a $20,000 loan ranges from $273 to $2,009, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $20,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $2,009.
Most experts recommend a 20% down payment for new cars and 10% for used. Getting pre-approval might provide clarity on potential interest rates.
Just because it's their first car doesn't mean it needs to be their most expensive one, which is why many parents opt for used cars. Based on that approach, anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 is generally recommended.
What is the 20/3/8 rule for financing a car? — The 20/3/8 rule suggests putting 20% down, financing for no more than 3 years, and ensuring that monthly payments do not exceed 8% of monthly gross income.
To apply this rule of thumb, budget for the following: A 20% down payment. Repayment terms of four years or less. Spending less than 10% of your monthly income on transportation costs.
In some cases, a down payment may not be required, but it's smart to put at least some money down. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, its value drops. Without a down payment, the car's value will fall below what you paid as soon as you drive it home, leaving you upside down on your loan.
Use a money order or electronic funds transfer (ETF): Because most dealerships won't accept a large down payment in physical cash, consider using a money order to certify the funds or have your bank transfer them electronically.
A good interest rate for a car loan is typically below 5.18% for new cars and 6.79% for used vehicles. However, the best rate is unique to the borrower so it's best to look at the average interest rates for your credit score category to know if you're getting a good deal.
If you're looking for a few tips on managing a high car payment, you're not alone. The average monthly car payment is now a record $733, according to Edmunds. And even if your monthly auto loan payments are around $500 per month, that still may be uncomfortably high.
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.
The average monthly payment for new vehicles hit a record high of $730 during the first quarter of 2023, according to Edmunds. So if you're now on the hook for $750, it may just be that you had to buy a larger car, like a minivan or SUV, to accommodate a bigger family.