What car is best for first time buyers?

8 Best Cars for First-Time Buyers
  1. 2022 Nissan Versa – From $15,580. ...
  2. 2022 Hyundai Kona – From $21,300. ...
  3. 2022 Honda Civic – From $22,550. ...
  4. 2022 Kia Forte – From $19,090. ...
  5. 2022 Toyota Corolla – From $20,425. ...
  6. 2022 Mazda CX-30 – From $22,500. ...
  7. 2022 Subaru Forester – From $25,895. ...
  8. 2022 Chevrolet Spark – From $13,600.
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How much money should you have before buying your 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.
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Is it better to buy a new or used car for the first-time?

If you are trying to save money on your initial purchase, a used car is a good choice. But you'll need to consider the cost over the life of ownership — including maintenance and repairs. You may find that buying new is the better choice for your finances.
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Is it hard for first-time car buyers?

First-time car buyers have a lot to think about, not just finding “the one,” but determining where to buy and how to pay. Some say the best way to learn is by doing, but first-time car buyer mistakes can cost thousands of dollars, and some mistakes can affect credit ratings and financial stability for years.
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What not to do when buying first car?

What to avoid when buying a used car
  1. Not test-driving the car thoroughly. ...
  2. Not looking at maintenance ratings. ...
  3. Not getting a mechanic to look at it. ...
  4. Not asking about the vehicle history. ...
  5. Not asking for the car you want. ...
  6. Not negotiating up from the dealer cost. ...
  7. Not reviewing the final sale paperwork carefully.
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Best New Cars for First Time Buyers | Behind A Desk



How do I choose my first car?

8 Tips for Buying Your First Car
  1. Strongly Consider Buying Used. ...
  2. Set a Budget and Then Pick a Car. ...
  3. Get What You Need. ...
  4. Do Your Homework. ...
  5. Check Out First-Time Car Buyer Programs with No Credit History. ...
  6. Focus on the Right Numbers. ...
  7. Get Covered by Auto Insurance before You Drive. ...
  8. Don't Overpay, and Don't Underinsure.
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Should I buy a car now or wait until 2023?

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.
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What should you not say when buying a new car?

Things to Never Say to a Dealer
  1. “I'm ready to buy now.” ...
  2. “I can afford this much per month.” ...
  3. “Yes, I have a trade-in.” ...
  4. “I'm only buying the car with cash.” ...
  5. “I'm not sure…which model do you think I need?” ...
  6. “Oh, I've wanted one of these all my life.” ...
  7. “I'll take whatever the popular options are.”
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How old of a car should I buy?

In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle. For example, a car that may have cost you $30,000 when new would cost around $16,000 after just 3 years.
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What should my monthly income be to buy a car?

Edmunds recommends that a new car payment be no more than 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay. A used car payment should be no more than 10 percent, but that number varies by expert.
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How much should I save if I want to buy a car?

In general, a good rule of thumb is to aim for 10% down for used cars and 20% for new vehicles. For example, if the new car you've settled on costs $25,000 and you want to make a 20% down payment, you'll need to save $5,000.
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Is it a good idea to get your first car financing?

Financing your first car is an attractive option because of the availability of low monthly payments for better models that would otherwise be out of your price range. With finance, you pay monthly for a car and will sometimes have the option to own once your contract is finished.
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What's the best month to buy a car?

End of the year, month and model year

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.
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What mileage should you not buy a car?

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
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At what mileage should I buy a used car?

To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.
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What not to do at a dealership?

The Nine Worst Things to Do at the Car Dealership
  • DON'T GO IN CONFRONTATIONAL. ...
  • DON'T WALK IN WITH NO IDEA WHAT YOU WANT. ...
  • DON'T GO TO THE LOT BEFORE YOU'VE DONE YOUR RESEARCH. ...
  • DON'T SKIP THE TEST DRIVE. ...
  • DON'T SKIP THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS. ...
  • DON'T SKIP GETTING PRE-APPROVED FOR A CAR LOAN.
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What are 3 things you should do before buying a car?

Here's six tips to consider — when buying a car from a dealer — that can really help you save:
  • Learn about pricing online. ...
  • Get your free credit report now. ...
  • Apply for financing from multiple lenders. ...
  • Understand financing variables and terms. ...
  • Call your agent. ...
  • Build a budget.
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What are 5 signs you shouldn't buy a used car?

Top 10 Warning Signs That You Shouldn't Buy a Used Car
  • Lack of Repair Records. ...
  • Obvious Signs of Abuse and Neglect. ...
  • Recent Evidence of Mechanical Band-Aids. ...
  • High-Performance Cars. ...
  • Smokers. ...
  • Oil/Transmission Fluid. ...
  • Coolant. ...
  • Accident Damage.
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Will cars get cheaper in 2023?

Expert Advice: With Rates So High, Is a High-Yield Savings Account a Better Bet Than the Stock Market? There is good news on the horizon in 2023, however. J.P. Morgan estimates that prices for both new and used vehicles are set to decrease as supply chain issues abate and inflation is poised to keep easing.
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How much will car prices drop in 2023?

Prices could drop up 5% for new vehicles and 10% to 20% for used vehicles in 2023, according to a report in November from J.P. Morgan. The basis for the prediction is that demand has stabilized and vehicle inventory is improving.
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How soon will car prices come down?

Used car prices have likely peaked, but new car prices are set to remain elevated through end-2022. In 2023, prices are expected to decline by 2.5% to 5% for new cars and by 10% to 20% for used cars.
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What is the best and cheapest way to buy a new car?

How to Buy a Car For Cheap
  • Pay Cash. One of the best ways to save money on a car loan is to not get a loan at all. ...
  • Get Pre-Approved. ...
  • Improve Your Credit Score. ...
  • Choose the Right Time of Year. ...
  • Buy a Manual. ...
  • Don't Do a Trade-In. ...
  • Try Auctions. ...
  • Lease a Vehicle.
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What is the cheapest day to buy a car?

Dealers frequently have some of their best sales around holidays, though the dealership will likely be busy. The weekends where you'll most likely find heavily promoted deals include Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July and February's Presidents Day weekends. Of those, Memorial Day is one of the best times to buy.
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What is the best day of the week to buy a car?

Best day to buy a car

Conventional wisdom suggests that weekdays are the best time of the week to buy a new car, but new research has found otherwise. Car buyers might be better off going to the dealership on Sundays, when they can save an average of 10% off MSRP, according to a 2020 study by TrueCar.
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Should you put down payment on car?

You should always have a down payment when buying a car. Some experts say it might not be necessary if you're able to score 0 percent APR — but most people won't qualify for that. Dealers offer zero-down financing because they stand to make the most in interest. After all, it is the opposite of a large down payment.
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