Core Guide
What Car Can I Afford?
Start with the monthly payment you want to stay around, then factor in credit, down payment, loan term and vehicle preference to estimate the price range that may fit.
Use the WhatCarFits Tool →
Car Buying Guides
Car Buying Guides
Understand car affordability, financing, monthly payments, leasing, used-car shopping, dealer costs and the numbers that matter before you choose a vehicle.
Start With the Most Important Questions
These guides connect directly to the calculations and decisions behind choosing a vehicle that fits your budget.
Browse Car Buying Guides by Topic
Use these sections to move from affordability to financing and then into the actual vehicle-shopping process.
Budget & Affordability
Work backward from the amount you want to spend.
What Car Can I Afford?
Estimate a vehicle range from your target payment.
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How Much Should I Spend on a Car?
Think beyond maximum approval and choose a workable budget.
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Car Payment Calculator
Estimate payment, interest and total loan cost.
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How Much Should You Put Down on a Car?
See how down payment changes the amount financed.
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Credit & Financing
Understand how borrowing changes the real cost of the car.
How Credit Affects Car Financing
See how credit can influence APR and payment.
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Car Loan APR Explained
Understand APR and why it matters when comparing loans.
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48 vs. 60 vs. 72-Month Car Loans
Compare monthly payment and total interest tradeoffs.
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Car Loan Preapproval
Understand what preapproval can tell you before shopping.
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Leasing
Understand mileage, lease terms and what happens at the end.
Lease vs. Finance
Compare ownership, payment and flexibility.
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Car Lease Mileage Limits
Understand allowances and potential excess-mileage charges.
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Lease Buyout Explained
Understand the purchase option at the end of a lease.
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When Does Leasing a Car Make Sense?
Review the situations where leasing may fit certain drivers.
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New vs. Used
Compare vehicle age, price, depreciation and financing.
New vs. Used Car
Compare price, financing, depreciation and ownership tradeoffs.
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What Is the Best Age to Buy a Used Car?
Understand the balance between depreciation and remaining life.
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Car Depreciation Explained
See how vehicle value can change over time.
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Used Car Mileage Guide
Put mileage in context with age, condition and maintenance.
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Vehicle Shopping
Understand the numbers around the listing itself.
How to Compare Car Listings
Look beyond asking price when evaluating vehicles.
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Dealer Fees Explained
Understand how transaction charges can change the total.
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Trade-In Value Guide
See how a trade can affect the amount you need to finance.
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What Is the Out-the-Door Price?
Understand the full transaction price before financing.
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Total Cost of Ownership
The monthly loan payment is only one part of owning a vehicle.
Total Cost of Owning a Car
Consider financing, insurance, fuel, maintenance and depreciation.
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Car Insurance and Affordability
See why the loan payment is not the entire monthly budget.
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Fuel Cost and Your Car Budget
Understand how driving habits can change ownership costs.
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Maintenance Costs When Buying a Car
Factor ongoing care into the affordability decision.
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Browse Cars by Monthly Payment
These guides can show what different monthly targets may support under varying APR, loan term and down-payment assumptions.
$300
Cars Around $300 a Month
See the kinds of vehicle prices that may fit a lower payment target.
$400Cars Around $400 a Month
Explore how APR, term and down payment change the possibilities.
$500Cars Around $500 a Month
Compare new and used options around a larger monthly budget.
$600Cars Around $600 a Month
See how a higher payment target can expand the vehicle range.
Use the Guides With the WhatCarFits Tools
The guides explain the decisions. The tools let you apply the numbers.
1
Set Your Target
Decide what monthly payment feels comfortable for your budget.
2
Understand Financing
Review how credit, APR, down payment and term affect the result.
3
Estimate the Range
Use the affordability and payment tools to understand the numbers.
4
Shop More Carefully
Compare listings with price, financing and total ownership cost in mind.
How We Approach Car-Buying Guidance
Helpful Before Promotional
WhatCarFits guides are intended to explain the numbers and tradeoffs behind car affordability before sending a reader toward a vehicle, dealer, lender or other partner.
We distinguish between source data, general education and WhatCarFits estimates. Where market conditions matter, figures should be reviewed and updated rather than treated as permanent.
Want the calculation details?
Review our methodology and data-sources pages to see how affordability estimates and vehicle information are handled.
Review Methodology →Ready to Put the Guides Into Practice?
Start with the monthly payment you want to stay around, then let WhatCarFits estimate the vehicle range that may fit your numbers.