Method 3: Consider a down payment If buyers want a more expensive car at $300 per month, then they can pay the difference to get to the payment. For example, if someone buys a $25,000 car, and pays $10,000 up front, then the remaining balance of $15,000 can be financed for 5 years at a $300 payment. Method 4: Consider a trade-in A trade vehicle can lower the amount financed to get to the desired payment. Most car dealers will accept all kinds of trades including cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers, campers, ATVs, etc. Method 5: Get a $15000 car If buyers don't have a downpayment or a trade vehicle, then the best way to get to a $300 car payment is to shop for a vehicle around $15,000. A $15,000 car has a monthly payment of $300 for 5 years at a 7.5% interest rate. |
FAQs
How much car can I afford with a $300 monthly payment? ›
Longer financing can keep the monthly payment low on a more expensive car. A $300 car payment on a 3 year loan can buy a $10,000 car. A $300 car payment on a 6 year loan can buy an $18,000 car.
How to easily calculate car payment? ›Car loan payment formula
Monthly payment = (loan amount) × (interest rate / 12) / (1 − (1 + (interest rate / 12)) ^ (-loan term)). The interest rate is given for a period of one year.
Because it's recommended you spend no more than 10% to 15% of your monthly after-tax income on your car payment, your monthly payment will significantly influence the kind of car you can afford. If your monthly take-home pay is $3,500, then that means that your car payment shouldn't exceed $350 to $525.
How accurate are car payment calculators? ›Payment calculators are great at giving you an estimated amount that you will pay for a car. But they don't give you an exact amount. The exact amount can vary heavily if you over or underestimate the amount of interest you are paying on a car or the amount the car will cost.
Is $300 a month for a car a lot? ›NerdWallet recommends spending no more than 10% of your take-home pay on your monthly auto loan payment. So if your after-tax pay each month is $3,000, you could afford a $300 car payment. Check if you can really afford the payment by depositing that amount into a savings account for a few months.
What is a realistic monthly car payment? ›The average monthly car payment for new cars is $735. ( Experian) The average monthly car payment for used cars is $523. ( Experian)
What is the rule of thumb for calculating car payment? ›Consider your monthly budget
As a general rule of thumb, many experts suggest following the 20/4/10 rule, which holds that you should set aside 20% of a car's purchase price for a downpayment, take 4 years to repay your car loan, and ensure that your monthly transportation costs don't exceed 10% of your monthly income.
| Top Auto Loan Lender | Lowest APR | Our Award |
|---|---|---|
| AutoPay | 4.67%** | Best Auto Loan Rates |
| PenFed Credit Union | 5.24% | Best Credit Union Auto Loan |
| Auto Approve | 5.24%** | Best Auto Refinance Rates |
| Consumers Credit Union | 6.54% | Excellent Credit Union Auto Loan |
| Lender | Starting APR | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1. MyAutoloan | 5.20% for 72-month auto loans | Best Low-Rate Option |
| 2. Autopay | 4.67%* | Most Well-Rounded |
| 3. Consumers Credit Union | 6.39% for 72-month loans | Most Flexible Terms |
| 4. PenFed Credit Union | 6.14% for 72-month loans | Most Cohesive Process |
Calculator Results
A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483. In total, the loan will cost $34,787 with $4,787 in interest.
What is too high of a monthly car payment? ›
Your monthly auto loan payments should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of your pre-tax take-home salary. Due to increased vehicle incentives, drivers may find relief when shopping for a vehicle this year. To secure the best deal, work to improve your credit score and consider making a sizeable down payment.
What's a good down payment on a 30k car? ›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.
Does a 72 month car loan make sense? ›Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go. You can learn more about car loans here.
What is the best rule for financing a car? ›To apply this rule of thumb, budget for the following: 20% down payment: Aim to make a 20% down payment on your new car. 4-year repayment term: Choose a repayment term of four years or less on your auto loan. 10% transportation costs: Spend less than 10% of your total monthly income on transportation costs.
What is the average car payment in America? ›Car payment statistics
The average monthly car payment for new cars is $726. The average monthly car payment for used cars is $533. 39.20 percent of vehicles financed in the third quarter of 2023 were new vehicles. 60.80 percent of vehicles financed in the third quarter of 2023 were used vehicles.
A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483. In total, the loan will cost $34,787 with $4,787 in interest.
How much would a $5000 loan cost per month? ›| Payoff period | APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 15% | $451 |
| 2 years | 15% | $242 |
| 3 years | 15% | $173 |
| 4 years | 15% | $139 |
| Finance Term | Monthly Payment | Car Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Years | $400 | $12874 |
| 4 Years | $400 | $16569 |
| 5 Years | $400 | $20000 |
| 6 Years | $400 | $23187 |