Why do car dealers always want money down?

You may be thinking, “But if auto lenders don't get the down payment, why do they require it?” Good question. It's because down payments provide security to the loan, lower your monthly payment, and prove to the lender that you're willing and able to invest in your own success.
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Why should you not put a downpayment on a car?

It can't be stopped but making a large down payment gives you a cushion between the value of the car and the amount you owe on the loan. If your loan amount is higher than the value of your vehicle, you're in a negative equity position, which can hurt your chances of using your car's value down the road.
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Do dealers like more money down?

“It's actually a split, but in most cases, dealers will gladly take your money. Without getting into the jargon behind it, the time value of money states that money in hand now is worth more than in the future due to inflation. Therefore, a big down payment will usually cause a salesman's eyes to light up.
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Should you ever put money down on a car?

A down payment may help you to more easily qualify for an auto loan, especially if you have lower credit scores. Without a down payment, the lender has more to lose if you don't repay the loan and they need to repossess and sell the car. Cars can begin losing value as soon as you drive off the lot.
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Should I tell a dealer my down payment?

When should I tell the dealer? Most finance experts suggest holding back the fact that you have a pre-approval until you've settled on the price of the vehicle. Once you have the selling price settled, you can discuss financing options later.
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Is money down on a car deal a SCAM? How dealers turn your cash into PROFIT!



How much should you put down on a $12000 car?

“A typical down payment is usually between 10% and 20% of the total price. On a $12,000 car loan, that would be between $1,200 and $2,400. When it comes to the down payment, the more you put down, the better off you will be in the long run because this reduces the amount you will pay for the car in the end.
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What should you not do at a dealership?

7 Things Not to Do at a Car Dealership
  1. Don't Enter the Dealership without a Plan. ...
  2. Don't Let the Salesperson Steer You to a Vehicle You Don't Want. ...
  3. Don't Discuss Your Trade-In Too Early. ...
  4. Don't Give the Dealership Your Car Keys or Your Driver's License. ...
  5. Don't Let the Dealership Run a Credit Check.
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Is 10k a good down payment on a car?

When it comes to a down payment on a new car, you should try to cover at least 20% of the purchase price. For a used car, a 10% down payment might do.
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How much should I put down on a 35k car?

A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation. But if you can afford a larger down payment, you can save even more money on interest payments over the life of the loan.
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What is a good down payment on a 30k car?

As a general rule of thumb, it's recommended that you put down at least 20% on a new vehicle, and at least 10% on a used car. Depending on the car's selling price, this could mean shelling out quite a bit of cash.
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What should you not say to a car salesman?

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Car Salesman
  • “I really love this car” ...
  • “I don't know that much about cars” ...
  • “My trade-in is outside” ...
  • “I don't want to get taken to the cleaners” ...
  • “My credit isn't that good” ...
  • “I'm paying cash” ...
  • “I need to buy a car today” ...
  • “I need a monthly payment under $350”
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Does higher down payment make car offer stronger?

The general rule is that your payment will drop about $20 a month for every $1,000 you put down, based on a 5% APR, but this is subject to individual situations and loan terms. A larger down payment also helps you build equity faster and protects you and the lender against depreciation and potential loss.
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How much should you put down on a 60000 car?

As a general rule, you should pay 20 percent of the price of the vehicle as a down payment.
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Is 50 percent down on a car good?

When you make a really large down payment, say around 50%, you're going to see your auto loan really change for the better. Making a down payment as large as 50%t not only improves your chances for car loan approval, it also: Reduces interest charges. Gives you a much smaller monthly payment.
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Is 3000 a good down payment for a car?

A good rule of thumb for a down payment on a new car loan is 20% of the purchase price. A down payment of 20% or more is a way to avoid being “upside down” on your car loan (owing more on the car than it's worth).
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What is the monthly payment on a $30 000 car loan?

With a loan amount of $30,000, an interest rate of 8%, and a loan repayment period of 60-months, your monthly payment is around $700.
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What is considered a high car payment?

According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.
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Is 400 too much for a car payment?

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.
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How much a month is a 40000 car?

Your monthly payments would look like this for a $40,000 loan: 36 months: $1,146. 48 months: $885. 60 months: $737.
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How much should I put down on a 45000 car?

Whether you have this choice is up to the lender. If you have good credit and aren't required to put down a specific amount, the recommendation is to make a down payment of at least 20% on a new car, and 10% for a used one. Imagine you're looking at a new 2022 Honda Passport, which starts at an MSRP of around $39,095.
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What is the monthly payment on a $15 000 car loan?

Using the formula above, you can estimate your monthly payment for various loan terms to be: 12 months: $1269.25. 24 months: $643.99. 36 months: $435.49.
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When should you walk away from a car deal?

A fair value is one that falls between these two prices. But if it becomes clear you can't agree on a fair price, it's time to walk out the door.
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What are good questions to ask when buying a car from a dealership?

According to Esurance, there are a few questions you can ask whether you are buying new or used:
  • Is the car on the lot? ...
  • What is the actual price? ...
  • Does it have any aftermarket equipment? ...
  • What is the mileage? ...
  • What are acceptable payment terms? ...
  • What does the warranty cover and how long is it?
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How do you not get scammed at a dealership?

How to avoid car dealer scams
  1. Get pre-approved for a car loan before you step on the lot. This can save you a bundle. ...
  2. Do some research before going to the dealership. ...
  3. Don't negotiate based on monthly payments. ...
  4. Don't allow your trade-in to influence your new car's cost. ...
  5. Be willing to walk away.
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