What is the best duration for auto loan? (2024)

What is the best duration for auto loan?

NerdWallet typically recommends keeping auto loans to no more than 60 months for new cars and 36 months for used cars — although that can be a challenge for some people in today's market with high car prices. Ultimately, choosing the best auto loan term depends on balancing cost, affordability and your specific needs.

Which car loan length is best?

NerdWallet typically recommends keeping auto loans to no more than 60 months for new cars and 36 months for used cars — although that can be a challenge for some people in today's market with high car prices. Ultimately, choosing the best auto loan term depends on balancing cost, affordability and your specific needs.

How long should you keep an auto loan?

Even though the majority of car buyers are going with long-term car loans, is an auto loan of 72 months or more a good idea for you? NerdWallet recommends financing new cars for no more than 60 months and used cars for no more than 36 months.

What should the length of my car loan be?

How much is too much? The old "20/4/10 rule" of car buying states that you should make a 20% down payment, have a loan no longer than four years, and have a total monthly car budget that does not exceed 10% of your take-home pay.

Should I finance a car for 60 or 72 months?

Is a 72-month car loan worth it? Because of the high interest rates and risk of going upside down, most experts agree that a 72-month loan isn't an ideal choice. Experts recommend that borrowers take out a shorter loan. And for an optimal interest rate, a loan term fewer than 60 months is a better way to go.

Is 72-month financing a good idea?

72-Month Car Loan Rates Are Typically High

A high interest rate means you'll end up paying more for the total cost of the car when all is said and done and you've made all your loan payments. Paying more money in interest has no benefit, and some people consider it to be wasted money.

How long does it take to pay off a $30000 car?

Provided the down payment is $5,000, the interest rate is 10%, and the loan length is five years, the monthly payment will be $531.18/month. With a $1,000 down payment and an interest rate of 20% with a five year loan, your monthly payment will be $768.32/month.

What is the 20 4 10 rule?

20% down — be able to pay 20% or more of the total purchase price up front. 4-year loan — be able to pay off the balance in 48 months or fewer. 10% of your income — your total monthly auto costs (including insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments) should be 10% or less of your monthly income.

Is it better to take a longer car loan?

The longer your loan term — typically ranging from 24 to 84 months, or up to 96 months with some lenders, like Autopay — the cheaper your monthly payments will be. But a lower monthly payment has drawbacks. They can cost you more over the long term. For most drivers, a long-term car loan is not a good idea.

Is 7 years too long for a car loan?

An 84-month auto loan can mean lower monthly payments than you'd get with a shorter-term loan. But having as long as seven years to pay off your car isn't necessarily a good idea. You can find a number of lenders that offer auto loans over an 84-month period — and some for even longer.

How much is too much for a car payment?

According to our research, you shouldn't spend more than 10% to 15% of your net monthly income on car payments. Your total vehicle costs, including loan payments and insurance, should total no more than 20%. You can use a car loan calculator to calculate a monthly payment within your budget.

What is a good car payment?

In general, it's recommended to spend no more than 10% to 15% of your monthly take-home income on your car payment, and no more than 20% on your total vehicle expenses, including insurance and registration. Read on to learn how you can determine how much car you can afford based on your financial situation.

What is an average car payment?

Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following. The average monthly car loan payment in the U.S. is $738 for new vehicles and $532 for used ones originated in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to credit reporting agency Experian.

What bank has the best auto loan rate right now?

Is it better to finance a newer or older car?

If you're planning to finance your car, you'll be more likely to get a lower interest rate on a new car than a used one. New cars have a higher resale value and are less likely to have mechanical issues. That means the lender is less likely to lose their investment if you can't make your payments.

What is the rule of 72 on a car loan?

Just divide 72 by your interest rate, and there you have how long it would take for the loan or investment amount to double. So, 1% would take 72 years to double. 5% takes about 15 years to double. 10% takes 7.2 years to double.

How do I pay off a 5 year car loan in 3 years?

What are the biggest disadvantages of financing a car for 5 years instead of 3 years?

Can you pay off a 72 month car loan early?

There are no legal restrictions to paying off your auto loan early but it may come with fees from your auto loan provider. Paying off a car loan early can be a good option to save money and reduce your debt, but whether it is a good idea depends on your unique financial situation.

What happens if I pay an extra $100 a month on my car loan?

Your car payment won't go down if you pay extra, but you'll pay the loan off faster. Paying extra can also save you money on interest depending on how soon you pay the loan off and how high your interest rate is.

What happens if I pay $50 extra on my car loan?

Paying extra on your auto loan principal won't decrease your monthly payment, but there are other benefits. Paying on the principal reduces the loan balance faster, helps you pay off the loan sooner and saves you money.

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

Disadvantages of a Larger Down Payment

The two biggest cons of making a down payment that's around 50 percent are: More money down doesn't lower your interest rate – Bad credit car buyers get higher than average interest rates, and it's extremely rare that a larger down payment can lower it.

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

The rule is to split your after-tax income into three categories of spending: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. 1. This intuitive and straightforward rule can help you draw up a reasonable budget that you can stick to over time in order to meet your financial goals.

What is the 50 30 20 rule in your financial plan?

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.

What is the 20 4 10 rule for 100k salary?

How Much Should I Spend on a Car If I Make $100,000? If following the 20/4/10 rule, your transportation expenses should be capped at $10,000 annually, or about $833 per month.