Clark Howard Buying A New Car Here

: To keep your finances healthy, aim to put 20% down, limit the loan term to 48 months (4 years), and ensure total vehicle expenses stay under 10% of your monthly income. What to Keep to Yourself

: Perform major maintenance at 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles to extend the car's lifespan and prevent expensive breakdowns. clark howard buying a new car

: Only buy new if you plan to keep the vehicle for at least 10 years. Because new cars depreciate so rapidly in the first few years, keeping them for a decade or more is the only way to make the math work in your favor. : To keep your finances healthy, aim to

When talking to a salesperson, avoid revealing information that could weaken your leverage: Because new cars depreciate so rapidly in the

: Always line up your financing through a credit union or bank before you ever step onto a dealer's lot. This prevents the dealer from using "monthly payment talk" to hide the true cost of the loan.