We all imagine driving around is a super fancy car without a care in the world. However, for most of us, there are bills that need to be paid and budgets that need to be adhered to. While you may be able to afford the supercar you want, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t consume a massive portion of your entire income. Breaking down your current financial state and the cost of the vehicle you want will help you determine if it is a plausible purchase. Affordability is a huge proponent in knowing how to buy a new car in Canada.
Determine whether or not you actually NEED a new car
Is your current car running perfectly fine? Are you just looking for a cool new upgrade? Is public transportation readily available for your daily commutes? If you answered yes to any of these, you may need to consider whether or not you NEED a new car or you simply WANT a new car. We all want the newest things that come to market, but there is a huge difference between wanting and needing. If there is no need for a new vehicle right at this moment, it may be best to hold off. There is no point in adding extra debt or a massive cost when there is no requirement to do so. If your desire for a new vehicle is burning, looking for ways to save money on your purchase, such as a Dealer Invoice Report, can help justify your purchase and shrink the overall cost.
Break down your current monthly costs and income
If you are looking to finance or lease, it’s important to know whether or not there is wiggle room for extra monthly payments. Car payments typically last anywhere from 2-7 years, ergo, you have to ensure you can be financially committed for a lengthy period of time. Before diving into a new financial commitment, assess your current situation in regards to other monthly payments and your overall income. If the cost of leasing/financing come well over your income or if you have JUST enough wiggle room, consider a more cost-efficient vehicle or holding off altogether. The last thing you want is to have no financial freedom for years on end.
Your current credit score
If you are planning on purchasing your vehicle outright, you don’t have to worry about your credit score when it comes to the purchase. If you are financing or leasing, however, your credit plays a critical role in determining if you can purchase a vehicle and the monthly costs associated with it. Your credit score will help the lender determine your ability to pay back any loans. If your credit history reveals revolving or missed payments that have jeopardized your credit score, the lender may a) deny your loan or b) increase your interest payments. Typical interest payments for those with good standing credit are around 5% or less. The lower your credit score, the higher they become. For example, if your credit score is in the 500-600 range, you can see interest payments upwards of 19-29%.
Added interest costs pertaining to low/no credit can easily add up to an extra couple hundred dollars a month. If your credit score is causing leaders to astronomically increase the interest rates pertaining to the vehicle you wish to purchase, it’s best to hold off and build up your credit in the meantime.
Will you be putting down a down payment?
Putting a payment down will decrease the monthly payments of your finance/lease term. The larger the down payment, the lower the monthly costs become. While this will entice people to put down a larger down payment, it’s important to determine just what kind of down payment can realistically be paid. If you have a strict monthly budget but have accumulated some savings for your new vehicle, it may be best to put down a larger monthly payment. On the flip side, if you don’t have as much capital, a smaller down payment can still decrease your monthly payments. It’s also important to note that you can make lump sum payments at any time within your payment term that can decrease monthly payments down the road.
When it comes to purchasing your new vehicle, it’s best to be realistic and choose something that you love that is still within your budget. Our Dealer Invoice Report can help you save thousands on a vehicle purchase and may give you the wiggle room you need to purchase the vehicle of your dreams. Overall, it’s important to assess your current financial state and your ability to afford a new vehicle prior to jumping on such a massive purchase.
Found the car of your dreams but looking to cut back on the cost? Get your FREE Dealer Invoice Report today and save big on your next new vehicle purchase!