Buy — Car Dealer

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.

Use tools like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book to get a realistic trade-in value. 2. At the Dealership buy car dealer

Don't walk into a dealership without a clear plan. High-pressure environments can lead to reactionary, expensive decisions. Use the 20/3/8 rule : put 20% down

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. At the Dealership Don't walk into a dealership

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

Buying a car from a dealer can be an intimidating process, but you can secure a fair deal by doing your homework before stepping onto the lot. The key is to separate (research and test drives) from buying (negotiating and signing). 1. Pre-Visit Preparation