How do I find a good first car?

Choosing which vehicle is best for you takes a lot more consideration than just color or style. Consider other factors, such as the vehicle's durability, size for your needs, technology, safety features, gas mileage and the weather where you live.

Which is the best car to buy at first?

How do I choose my first car?

What is a good budget for a first car?

For your first car, you can spend an average of $5000 to $10000. Most first-time car buyers can't afford a car worth more than $10000, and it's risky to purchase a vehicle costing less than $5000 as it cannot be relied upon. Auto loan payments will not be unmanageable for you anymore.

What age should you buy your first car?

In general, there is not a legal age to own a car. However, if you want to register, title, and insure it to drive it legally, you need to be at least 18 years old in most states. Although laws vary by state, teens under 18 will most likely need the help of an adult to get a car they buy out on the road.

RULES To Follow Buying Your First Car

Is 3000 enough for a first car?

Experts recommend that you spend $5,000 to $10,000 on your first car. But honestly, it all comes down to what you can afford. Here are a few simple tips to help you calculate a figure that would work well for you: Don't spend more than 15% of your gross pay or 20% of your take-home pay.

What is a good mileage for a used car?

Average Car Mileage per Year

Experts agree that the common rule of thumb on mileage for a used vehicle is roughly 12,000 miles added each year of ownership. That means if you are looking at a 5-year old vehicle, it should have about 60,000 miles on it.

What is a reasonable car payment?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than about 10% to 15% of your monthly take-home pay on an auto loan payment. These percentages do not factor in total car expenses, including gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance costs.

How much car can I afford on 50k salary?

How much car can I afford if I make $50,000? While it depends on factors like your credit score, loan terms, down payment and any potential trade-in value, you may find that a vehicle in the $20,000 to $35,000 range will fit your budget.

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

It's typically recommended that you buy a car worth no more than 35% of your gross annual income— so if you make $60k per year, you can afford a new car that is worth $21,000 or less.

What's the best month to buy a car?

In terms of the best time of the year, October, November and December are safe bets. Car dealerships have sales quotas, which typically break down into yearly, quarterly and monthly sales goals. All three goals begin to come together late in the year.

Is it a big deal to get your first car?

Buying your first car can be a great investment that makes getting to work, visiting friends and seeing the world easier. But it's also a major financial decision. Make sure you think through the process so you don't regret your decision later.

How much should you spend on a first car for a teenager?

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. For instance, Kelley Blue Book compiled a list of best cars for teens under $20,000.

What is a popular first car?

Aside from uncovering that the red Ford Mustang is the most popular first car in the U.S., there is plenty of other information that should be pretty interesting for anyone who has a car and is interested in some sweet, sweet teenager-dollars.

What should a first time car buyer not do?

What is the safest car for a beginner driver?

How much car can I afford if I make $30000 a year?

Follow the 35% rule

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.

What is the 20 4 10 rule?

First and foremost, the 20/4/10 rule is not a law. It's more like general guidelines and a way to plan for vehicle expenses. Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses.

What credit score do you need to buy a 50k car?

In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate. If you have poorer credit, you can still get a loan, but you will probably have to pay more for it or else find a co-signer.

Is a $300 car payment bad?

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.

Is $500 car payment bad?

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 $900 a month too much for a car?

Experts say your total car expenses, including monthly payments, insurance, gas and maintenance, should be about 20 percent of your take-home monthly pay. For non-math wizards, like me – Let's say your monthly paycheck is $4,000. Then a safe estimate for car expenses is $800 per month.

Is low mileage better than age?

Reliability fades with age

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.

What mileage is too low for a used car?

The average car gets in 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year, so used cars with an annual average lower than that can be considered as having good mileage.

What is too high for car mileage?

What is Considered High-Mileage? Typically, putting 13,000 to 14,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.