: Put down at least 20% of the purchase price upfront. This builds immediate equity and helps prevent you from becoming "underwater" (owing more than the car is worth) as it depreciates.
If you are looking at the total sticker price rather than monthly payments, use these benchmarks: Car Affordability Calculator: How Much Car Can I Afford? how much should you buy a car for
When buying a car, financial experts generally suggest two primary ways to calculate your budget: or based on the total purchase price relative to your annual salary . : Put down at least 20% of the purchase price upfront