How Much Car Can I Afford: $700/Mo with a Trade-In?
See how a $5,000 trade-in combined with a $700 monthly budget increases your maximum car purchase price.
How to use this tool
- Enter the monthly payment you can comfortably afford.
- Add your planned down payment and any trade-in value.
- Enter the loan's APR and term in months.
- Optionally enter a sales-tax rate to fit tax inside the budget.
- Read the maximum car price, loan amount, and total purchasing power.
Trading in your old car adds purchasing power — find out the max price with $700/mo and a $5,000 trade-in value.
Frequently asked questions
- How much car can I afford on my salary?
- A common rule is to keep total monthly vehicle costs (payment plus insurance and fuel) under about 15-20% of your take-home pay, and to finance for no more than 60 months. This tool works from the monthly payment you set rather than a flat salary multiple.
- Should I choose a longer loan to afford more car?
- A longer term lowers the monthly payment but raises total interest and keeps you 'underwater' longer. It's usually better to buy a cheaper car than to stretch a 72- or 84-month loan.
- Does this include taxes and fees?
- Only if you enter a sales-tax rate. Registration, title, documentation, and dealer fees are not included, so leave a cushion below the maximum price.