Use the 20/3/8 rule : put 20% down , finance for no more than 3 years , and keep monthly payments under 8% of your gross income.
Don't walk into a dealership without a clear plan. High-pressure environments can lead to reactionary, expensive decisions.
When you arrive, focus on the vehicle's condition and your personal fit, not the finances. Buying a Used Car From a Dealer - FTC Consumer Advice
Get a loan offer from a credit union or bank before you go. This gives you leverage to ask the dealer to beat that interest rate and prevents them from manipulating loan terms.
