What credit score do I need for a 100k car?

Asked by: Laverne Leuschke  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (68 votes)

Many lenders prefer a “very good” credit score of 740-799 or an “excellent” score of 800-850, according to Auto Debt Capital. This limits the number of people who qualify for such a large loan. But don't be discouraged.

What credit score do you need for $100,000?

Credit score: In general, you will need to have good to excellent credit, a FICO score of 680 or higher, to qualify. An excellent credit score paired with a high income will likely give you the fastest path to approval. Income: Lenders may set specific income requirements for you to qualify.

How much should I make for a 100k car?

In order to purchase a $100000 car, a person should typically earn at least three times the cost of the vehicle. Based on this math, an individual should have an annual salary of at least $300000 to comfortably afford the car.

How do I know if I can afford a 100k car?

Other experts say that a vehicle that costs roughly half of your annual take-home pay will be affordable. Then some frugal personal-finance gurus say you should spend no more than 10%-15% of your annual income on a vehicle purchase.

How much do you have to put down on a $100,000 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.

What Salary Can Afford A $100K Car? Is It Ever Financially OK To Buy A $100k Vehicle?

34 related questions found

How much is a $40,000 car loan payment 84 months?

An example of the difference a loan's term can make: If you take out a $40,000 new car loan with an 84-month term at 9% APR, you would pay about $623 monthly and $12,369 in total interest over seven years.

What car can I buy with a 100k salary?

Keeping that in mind, here are some vehicles to check out if you have around a $100,000 annual salary.
  • Genesis G70. Have you seen the 2025 Genesis G70? ...
  • Audi A3. If you want an Audi, but don't want to spend at the brand's higher end, check out the 2025 Audi A3. ...
  • 2024 Honda Ridgeline. ...
  • 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia. ...
  • Tesla Model 3.

How to get approved for a $100,000 car?

Applying for a luxury auto loan often requires a credit score of at least 700. Many lenders prefer a “very good” credit score of 740-799 or an “excellent” score of 800-850, according to Auto Debt Capital. This limits the number of people who qualify for such a large loan.

What does Dave Ramsey say about buying a car?

One primary way that Ramsey suggests more Americans can be cash buyers is if they look at used cars instead of new cars. New cars lose 50% or more of their value in their first five years, so you can score some real bargains by looking at cars that are a few years old.

Can I afford a 40k car if I make 60k a year?

A person making $60,000 per year can afford about a $40,000 car based on calculating 15% of their monthly take-home pay and a 20% down payment on the car of $7,900. However, every person's finances are different and you might find that a car payment of approximately $600 per month is not affordable for you.

What maintenance does my car need at 100k?

A 100,000-mile service also includes flushing and replacing all the engine fluids including the engine oil, coolant, power steering, brake, and transmission fluids.

How rare is a 100k salary?

A $100,000 salary is considered good in most parts of the country, and can cover typical expenses, pay down debt, build savings, and allow for entertainment and hobbies. According to the U.S. Census, only 15.3% of American households make more than $100,000 annually.

What credit score do I need to get a $250000 loan?

For a $250,000 home, you'll likely need a fair to good credit score: 740+: Best rates and terms. 680-739: Good rates, still very good affordability. 620-679: Higher rates, may require larger down payment or FHA loan.

How can I increase my credit limit to 100k?

One way to request a credit increase is to call customer service and see if your income information has been updated. If it has been, consider asking directly for a credit line increase. It's beneficial for credit card issuers to give you more credit, which will then give you more flexibility to spend.

What is a 700 and above credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.

What is the 20% rule when buying a car?

20% down — be able to pay 20% or more of the total purchase price up front. 4-year loan — be able to pay off the balance in 48 months or fewer. 10% of your income — your total monthly auto costs (including insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments) should be 10% or less of your monthly income.

How much should I spend on a car if I make $100,000?

If your annual salary is $100,000 and you follow the 20/4/10 rule (20% down payment, 4-year loan term, and 10% of salary for transportation costs), then you'll budget about $833 per month for transportation.

Why is buying a new car a waste of money?

Experian estimates that new cars lose 20 percent of their value in the first year, and depreciation continues for the first 10 years of ownership. Higher insurance costs: New cars often cost more to insure because of their higher chance of theft, value and other related factors.

What is a good down payment for a 100k car?

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.

Do car dealers look at gross or net income?

Gross income is what you earn before taxes and other deductions. Since auto lenders consider your back-end DTI, that's what we'll focus on. You'll need two things to calculate your back-end DTI: your total monthly debt payments and your gross income.

What is the minimum income to finance a car?

The minimum income necessary to qualify for an auto loan may vary, but most lenders prefer an applicant to have at least $1,500 to $2,000 in monthly income before taxes.

How much should you put down 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.

What is the 20 4 10 rule?

The rule recommends making a 20% down payment on the car, taking four years to return the money to the lender, and keeping transportation costs at no more than 10% of your monthly income. As to how exactly it works requires some explanation.

What car can I afford making 50k a year?

To get an idea of how much car you can afford, a good rule of thumb is to pay no more than 35% of your annual pre-tax income. So, if you make $50,000 before taxes per year, your car purchase price should not exceed $17,500.