Is a $500 car payment too much?

Asked by: Brannon Stehr  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (38 votes)

A $500 car payment is about average right now. The concept of “too much” is going to depend on your income and living expenses, your insurance expense, and other budget factors.

How much of a car payment is too much?

According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.

Is $400 a month good for car payment?

For example, if you want to keep your new car payment to $400 per month, the dealer might easily get your payments within your budget. ... The result is that the car will be a lot more expensive in the end. In the example we've given, a car payment of $400 per month for five years (60 months) equates to $24,000.

What is a reasonable car payment per month?

The average monthly car payment was $568 for a new vehicle and $397 for used vehicles in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2020, according to Experian data. The average lease payment was $467 a month in the same period.

Is $700 a high car payment?

Is a $700 car payment too much? - Quora. Yes and no. If you are buying an expensive car and you can afford the payments that's normal. But if your buying a cheaper vehicle then yes that would be pretty high payments.

I Make $2,000 a Month And I Have a $600 Car Payment

37 related questions found

Is a $600 car payment too much?

How much should you spend on a car? If you're taking out 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.

Is 800 too much for a car payment?

Experts say your total car expenses, including monthly payments, insurance, gas and maintenance, should be about 20 percent of your take-home monthly pay. ... Then a safe estimate for car expenses is $800 per month.

Is 300 a month a lot for a car?

When browsing your options, keep in mind that financial experts will typically tell you to spend less than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment. That means if your take-home pay is $3,000 a month, plan to spend no more than $300 on your car payment.

Can I afford a 40k car?

With no other bills, you can afford a $40k car with a yearly income of $12,000. But if you do have other bills ( ie wife and children and a mortgage and student loans) then consider your bills and decide if you can afford a new car. In my opinion it would be insane to spend more than 10% of your wealth on a car.

What is the average car payment 2020?

Edmunds data for the same period in 2020 shows an average monthly payment of $437, representing a not-insignificant increase of $83 per month. It also shows that the average loan term has increased from 68.1 months to 70 months, meaning used car buyers are paying more over longer periods of time.

Is 450 too much for a car payment?

You have to look at the overal status of your finances. a car pyament should be no more than 10% of your take home pay. So unless you're taking home more than $4500/mo, $450 is too much for a car payment.

What is an average car payment?

What is the average car payment? As of 2021, the average monthly car payment in the U.S. is $575 for new vehicles and $430 for used vehicles.

How much should you put down on a $12000 car?

“A typical down payment is usually between 10% and 20% of the total price. On a $12,000 car loan, that would be between $1,200 and $2,400. When it comes to the down payment, the more you put down, the better off you will be in the long run because this reduces the amount you will pay for the car in the end.

What is a good car payment?

Many financial experts recommend keeping total car costs below 15% to 20% of your take-home pay. ... For example, if your monthly paycheck is $3,000, your car payment would be about $300 and you'd plan on spending another $150 on automotive expenses.

Why is my monthly car payment so high?

Your monthly car payment serves to pay down the loan's principal, as well as interest and fees. The higher your interest rate, the higher your monthly payment will be. ... If you're carrying too much debt, the lender may decide to charge you a higher interest rate (or require a shorter loan term or a larger down payment).

Is 1000 a good down payment for a car?

If you're looking to purchase a used car for around $10,000, then $1,000 is a decent down payment. 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.

How much would a 30000 car cost a month?

A $30,000 car, roughly $600 a month.

Is it good to put a big down payment on a car?

Putting money down on a vehicle has plenty of advantages. The larger the down payment, the lower your monthly payment will be—and you'll probably get a better interest rate, to boot.

What kind of car can you get for 500 a month?

New Cars You Can Buy for Under $500 a Month
  • 2022 MINI Clubman. Payment: $433 / month Loan Term: 72 months MSRP: $32,250. ...
  • 2022 Ford Mustang. ...
  • 2022 Ford F-150. ...
  • 2022 Volkswagen GTI. ...
  • 2021 Chrysler 300. ...
  • 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Limited. ...
  • 2021 Ford Bronco. ...
  • 2021 GMC Sierra 1500.

How much car can I afford on 50k salary?

Rather than looking at monthly transportation costs, Dave recommends buying cars that cost no more than 50% of your annual income. So if you make $50,000 a year, you should not spend more than $25,000 for a car(s).

How much should I spend on a car if I make $60000?

Whether you're paying cash, leasing, or financing a car, your upper spending limit really shouldn't be a penny more than 35% of your gross annual income. That means if you make $36,000 a year, the car price shouldn't exceed $12,600. Make $60,000, and the car price should fall below $21,000.

How much car can I afford on 100k salary?

So, theoretically, if your salary is $50,000 you could afford a car payment of $430 or less. With a $100,000 salary, you could afford a mortgage payment of no more than $2,500. For those with a salary near $30,000 your home, car, and debt combine should be no more than $1,250 per month.

Is $700 enough for a down payment on a car?

The bottom line is this: you can make a down payment as low as $700 if it meets the lender's requirement, but we suggest putting more money down if possible. If you have your down payment ready to go, but don't have a dealership to work with, we want to help.

Do dealerships prefer cash?

Many dealerships appreciate having all their money upfront and not having to deal with monthly payments. You may find that you have more leverage when paying cash because the dealership might be willing to take less money in order to get all of it right away.