Buy used or certified pre-owned
Potential savings: $15,104 on average (as of publication)
Since new cars lose around 20% of their value in the first year alone, you can shave thousands off your purchase price by buying a used car instead. If you’re worried you’ll end up with a lemon, consider getting a certified pre-owned car from the original manufacturer. These cars are thoroughly inspected and often come with extended warranties.
Want a new car without a long-term commitment?
Consider
leasing a car for many of the same benefits you get with buying. Lease payments tend to be cheaper than new car payments, and you won’t have to deal with the hassle of selling your leased car or trading it in.
Improve your credit
Potential savings: $2,316 on average (as of publication)
When you improve your credit score from “fair” to “very good,” you’ll save an average of $2,316 on your car loan and over $39,000 across different types of credit, like credit cards, personal loans and mortgages. Lenders offer lower rates to borrowers with high scores and a history of on-time payments, which translates to thousands of dollars of savings across your lifetime.
Look for rebates and deals
Potential savings: Several thousand dollars
Manufacturers sometimes offer special car rebates or discounts to encourage people to buy their cars. Rebates are typically discounts on particular car models or for a specific group of people, like college grads or teachers.
If you have excellent credit, you may be able to snag a 0% APR deal, meaning you won’t have to pay interest on your car loan. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to combine 0% financing with a rebate, so use our car loan calculator to see which option will help you save more money.
Make a bigger down payment
Potential savings: Hundreds of dollars
It may seem counterintuitive to spend more upfront to save money. But the more you put down for your car, the less you’ll have to borrow — and the less money you’ll pay in interest. Plus, making a larger down payment can help you qualify for a car loan with bad credit.