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If you're not thinking about modding, how about leasing a car? Benefit of leasing is, you're not tied down and MUST pay it off. If you ever run into financial problems, you can simply return the car with a fee if the car has scratches or is damaged.
Another benefit of leasing is, lower monthly payments. You pay for half the car in payments for 2 - 3 years, if you like the car, buy it out. Buying it out doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay the amount in full. You can finance through the dealership or you can get your bank to borrow you money to pay it off and pay your bank monthly.
Benefit of leasing is, you are paying for the car in two parts, the lease part, and the buy out part, so monthly payments are calculated in two parts. Whereas, when you're financing, payments are calculated on the whole car value, which equals high monthly payments. Also, leasing is easier to approve then financing.
Simple advice when shopping for cars is
1) Take your time and wait for promotions usually near the end of the year.
2) Negotiate like you're the cheapest person in the world. Money is in your hands, you make the call.
3) Never go above 2.99%. Financing 4 - 5 years is usually 3.99%+, negotiate! More down payment means more negotiating room.
4) Buy new cars, never get second hand. Personal preference though.
5) Try to get as much free shit as you can too (floor mats, cargo nets, etc.)
6) If financing/leasing, get pre-approved credit. That way you can negotiate. Otherwise you'll negotiate, apply for credit, gets denied, all this going back and forth won't help bargaining.
My first new car is a disaster, bought sticker price, no negotiating, no free shit, no test drive. Lesson learned.
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