Published in July 29, 2021
Buying a new car isn’t always easy – you’re figuring out which make and model suits you best, processing all the paperwork with the dealership, finding the best way to pay it off. It’s only natural to feel overwhelmed when going through a big and costly process. So if you find yourself asking “how can I afford a car”, below are some easy things you can do to understand your situation.
Understanding the best budget for yourself is a simple matter of understanding how much you can securely repay the car, researching and comparing vehicles of different makes and models to suit your price range. You could plan a thorough budget with Moneysmart to understand your spending habits and how much you can afford for your monthly payments.
Generally, preparing a budget for a new car, you should aim to spend approximately 10% or less of your monthly wage on your car repayments. For example, if your monthly net pay is $4,500, then you should consider spending no more than $450 on your monthly loan repayments.
Additionally, you could also consider the one-third rule. That means you shouldn’t be spending more of your monthly wage on any debt payments made regularly. For example, if your monthly net pay is around $4,200, you should aim at spending no more than $1,400 on your total monthly debt repayment.
Those rules aren’t hard to follow as they give you a rough estimate of how much you should be spending on a new car. However, there are a few financial factors that you should consider before buying a car.
Buying a car isn’t a simple process as there are many additional factors you’d have to consider beforehand. However much you plan on spending on a new car depends on multiple factors, those include:
Now that we’ve covered a few budgeting tips to answer the question “how can I afford a car”, let’s discuss some payment options you should consider when purchasing a car.
Buying a car outright
An option you can consider when purchasing a new car is buying it upfront, without a loan. This option isn’t always financially possible for everyone, even though it means you’d be voiding long-term payments and accrued interest fees.
However, even though you won’t have any car payments with an outright purchase, you would still need to take into consideration additional fees such as your registration, insurance and services.
Buying a car with a car loan
Many people pay off their new cars with car loans. They essentially work the same way as any type of secured loan – this means a lender would loan you the money and you’d agree to pay it back in increments over a certain period.
Comparing loan rates and different institutions will help you find the best loan offer, which will also factor into your car budget.
Leasing a car
There are three different types of leases in Australia. You could either have a novated lease, operating lease, or finance lease. All those types suit different buyers and different needs. Generally, the car leases operate with the lender owning the vehicle, and the borrower makes monthly fees. However, you should research the different types of leases before purchasing your car to find a lease that suits you best.
While we at Tippla will always do our best to provide you with the information you need to financially thrive, it’s important to note that we’re not debt counsellors, nor do we provide financial advice. Be sure to speak to your financial services professional before making any decisions.
28/11/2023
Payday loans are a type of financial tool that...
29/07/2021
Does renters insurance cover collectibles? Here’s a breakdown on...
11/10/2023
Managing your credit is crucial for getting loans or...
28/07/2021
Grow your money faster with savings accounts Unlike everyday...
Stay up to date with Tippla's financial blog