A down payment reduces the amount you need to finance or lease. Consider saving for a down payment first.When calculating what you can afford, use the Make a Budget worksheet as a guide to make sure you have enough income to cover your monthly expenses and a car payment. For example, lower monthly loan payments often require longer terms and higher interest rates, which will substantially increase your overall cost. Low monthly payment offers can be tempting, but don’t focus solely on your monthly payment. Know your total cost, not just the monthly payment.Having this info in writing before you go to the lot will help you compare offers from different dealers on an apples-to-apples basis, more easily catch extra charges and add-ons that may slip into your deal, and keep your attention on the total cost (not just the monthly payment). That means getting the dealer to send you the total price of the car, before financing, including taxes and fees. Get an “out-the-door” price of the car in writing before you visit the lot, and before you talk financing with the dealer.Your credit report has information that affects whether you can get a loan - and how much you’ll have to pay in interest to borrow money. Get a copy of your credit report before you visit the dealership.Identity Theft and Online Security Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items.Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items.Money-Making Opportunities and Investments.Jobs and Making Money Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items.Credit, Loans, and Debt Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items.Shopping and Donating Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items.