How Much Should I Put Down On A $30,000 Car? (2024)

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By

Meghan Carbary

Meghan Carbary

Automotive Content Editor

Meghan Carbary has been writing professionally for nearly 20 years. A published journalist in three states, Meghan honed her skills as a feature writer and sports editor. She has now expanded her skill-set into the automotive industry as a content writer for Auto Credit Express, where she contributes to several automotive and auto finance blogs.


, Automotive Content Editor - February 28, 2022

With today's rising car prices, some of the most desirable vehicle models are hitting the $30,000 range, and it's easy to wonder just how much you should be putting down when financing a car. Here's a look at down payment examples for cars priced at around $30,000 and why you may want to start saving now.

What's the right down payment? If you're a borrower with bad credit – a credit score of 670 or below – you're typically required to make a down payment of at least $1,000 or 10% of a vehicle's selling price when you take out an auto loan. However, this varies by lender, and the larger the down payment you can make, the better.

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.

Down payment examples for new cars. When it comes to new cars, it's typically easier to qualify for a car loan with a higher credit score. Higher scores may mean fewer stipulations on the amount of your down payment, so we recommend putting down at least 20%.

Here's what these amounts look like:

  • 2022 Subaru Outback, MSRP $28,320
    20% down payment: $5,664
    10% down payment: $2,832
  • 2022 Toyota RAV4, MSRP $30,290
    20% down payment: $6,058
    10% down payment: $3,029
  • 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, MSRP $34,195
    20% down payment: $6,839
    10% down payment: $3,420

Down payment examples for used cars. If you don't have good credit, it's not impossible to qualify for a new car but a used vehicle may be easier to get approved for. However, you may be required to may a different down payment, maybe more than the recommended 10% minimum down.

  • 2019 Buick Envision: Listing Price $29,155
    10% down payment:$2,916
  • 2021 Jeep Cherokee: Listing Price $30,990
    10% down payment: $3,099

Why does a down payment matter? Having a down payment can be a big plus when you're financing a vehicle – the more you put down, the less you finance. And borrowing less can be one of the keys to getting the loan you need, especially if you're struggling with poor credit.

Even if you're not required to make a down payment, it does a lot of good for you as a borrower. With a smaller loan, you may have a wider choice of loan terms, and it can save money in interest charges as well. Down payments can also help keep your vehicle from getting into or from staying in negative equity.

Since you have the potential to need a large down payment on a more expensive car, it's a good idea to start saving as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to keep a separate emergency fund, so you don't deplete your savings just for a car. On this front, it's also good to know that a down payment doesn't have to be paid strictly in cash.

You can also you the value of a trade-in, or the combination of both cash and trade to cover a down payment amount.

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Meghan Carbary, Automotive Content Editor

Meghan Carbary has been writing professionally for nearly 20 years. A published journalist in three states, Meghan honed her skills as a feature writer and sports editor. She has now expanded her skill-set into the automotive industry as a content writer for Auto Credit Express, where she contributes to several automotive and auto finance blogs.


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How Much Should I Put Down On A $30,000 Car? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Should I Put Down On A $30,000 Car? ›

Consider putting at least $6,000 down on a $30,000 car if you're buying it new or at least $3,000 if you're buying it used. This follows the guidelines of a 20% down payment for a new car or a 10% down payment for a used car.

What is a good down payment for a 30k car? ›

In general, you should strive to make a down payment of at least 20% of a new car's purchase price. For used cars, try for at least 10% down. If you can't afford the recommended amount, put down as much as you can without draining your savings or emergency funds.

What credit score do you need to buy a $30,000 car? ›

What minimum credit score is needed to buy a car? There isn't one specific score that's required to buy a car because lenders have different standards. However, the vast majority of borrowers have scores of 661 or higher.

How much to save for 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.

How much is the car payment on 30k? ›

A $30,000 auto loan balance with an average interest rate of 5.0% paid over a 6 year term will have a monthly payment of $483. In total, the loan will cost $34,787 with $4,787 in interest.

What credit score do I need for a 30k loan? ›

Requirements to receive a personal loan

This allows them to look at your history from the past seven years and see whether you've typically made payments on time. For a $30,000 loan, you'll typically need a credit score above 600 just to qualify or above 700 to get a competitive rate.

Can I afford a 30k car? ›

It depends on how much income you have after your bills and expenses. But as a rule of thumb, your car payment should not exceed 15% of your post-tax monthly pay. For example, if after taxes, you make the U.S. median income of $37,773, you could shop for a car that costs up to $472 per month.

Is 30k good for first car? ›

Somewhere around or under that price range is perfect for a first car. It will probably have cheap parts for repairs and be cheap to maintain.

What are the disadvantages of a large down payment on a car? ›

What Are the Disadvantages of a Large Down Payment? Providing more money down doesn't guarantee a lower interest rate, and it can cut into your savings.

What is 6% interest on a $30,000 loan? ›

For example, the interest on a $30,000, 36-month loan at 6% is $2,856.

How much is the monthly payment on a $30 K loan? ›

The monthly payment on a $30,000 loan ranges from $410 to $3,014, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $30,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $3,014.

Is 1000 down on a car enough? ›

If you're looking to purchase a used car for around $10,000, then $1,000 is a decent down payment. It's widely advised to put down at least 10% of the vehicle's value to increase your odds of getting approved for a loan, and to minimize your interest charges.

What is the average payment for a 30k loan? ›

The monthly payment on a $30,000 loan ranges from $410 to $3,014, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $30,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $3,014.

How much should you put down on a 32k car? ›

As a general rule, you should pay 20 percent of the price of the vehicle as a down payment. That's because vehicles lose value, or depreciate, rapidly. If you make a small down payment or no down payment, you can end up owing more on your auto loan than your car or SUV is worth.

Is 10k down on a 30k car good? ›

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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