What Car Can I Afford?
Set your monthly budget and we'll show every car that fits — loan, insurance, fuel, and maintenance all included in one number.
Monthly estimates use national average insurance rates, standard maintenance schedules, and current market depreciation curves. Actual costs vary by location, driving history, and vehicle condition. Prices reflect new MSRP adjusted by the selected vehicle age.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: APR by credit tier (Experian), national insurance averages, EPA-derived fuel use (55/45 city/hwy blend), standard depreciation curves, routine maintenance estimates.
What the monthly number includes
The estimate combines four costs into one monthly figure:
- Loan payment — vehicle price × age multiplier, minus your down payment, financed at the typical APR for your credit tier over the selected term.
- Insurance — national average annual premium for the model, scaled down for older vehicles (used cars carry lower comprehensive coverage costs).
- Fuel or charging — your annual miles divided by the vehicle's real-world MPG blend (55% city / 45% highway), multiplied by your gas price. EVs use 3.5 mi/kWh.
- Routine maintenance — oil changes, filters, tire rotations. Repairs and tires are not included.
Fits vs. Stretch
Fits — total monthly cost is at or below your budget. These are safe picks with headroom for unexpected expenses.
Stretch — total runs 1–20% over budget. Shown so you can make a deliberate trade-off. Sometimes a slightly higher payment on a more reliable car saves money over three years.
Cars more than 20% over budget are excluded entirely.
Reliability dots
Five dots from green (excellent) to red (poor) reflect each model's historical repair frequency and owner satisfaction. Filled dots = better track record.
A cheaper car with poor reliability can cost more per year than a pricier reliable one once unplanned repairs are factored in — that's exactly what this calculator is built to surface.
Getting the most from the results
- If too few cars appear, try extending the loan term before raising the budget — a 72-month term often opens up a full price tier.
- The "best budget fit" sort surfaces cars closest to your full budget — useful if you want to maximize value without going over.
- Toggle maintenance off when comparing specific models you plan to service yourself.
- The 4–5 year used multiplier (×0.62) with a 60-month term is typically the best value combination — recent enough to be reliable, old enough to be affordable.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are the monthly estimates?
Within 10–20% for most buyers in average conditions. Insurance is the biggest variable — your actual premium depends on your driving record, ZIP code, age, and chosen coverage level. Use this as a shortlist tool, then pull real insurance quotes for your top two or three candidates.
Why does credit score change the results so dramatically?
The APR gap between excellent and poor credit is roughly 13–14 percentage points on a used car loan. On a $22,000 vehicle over 60 months, that's roughly $180/month on the same car. If your score is fair or poor, a larger down payment or longer term moves the needle more than targeting cheaper vehicles.
What does the vehicle age multiplier represent?
Approximate market depreciation applied to new MSRP: 78% for 2–3 year old, 62% for 4–5 years, 50% for 6–7 years. Real used prices vary by trim, mileage, and local inventory — treat these as ballpark figures and cross-check with actual listings for any car you're serious about.
Should I include maintenance in the budget?
Yes, unless you're comparing cars with roughly equal maintenance costs. A European luxury sedan can cost $800–$1,500 more per year to maintain than a reliable Japanese compact — real money that changes which car actually fits your budget.
Is this useful for a first car purchase?
It's one of the best use cases. Set your credit tier honestly, compare down payment scenarios side by side, and pay attention to the insurance bar on each card. The most common first-car mistake is sizing the loan payment to fit while ignoring insurance — especially on sports cars and sedans where premiums for younger drivers can easily double the number shown here.