Several news agencies have released articles that have been talking about the same thing: many people nowadays find themselves in a tricky financial situation because they take on car loans they can’t actually afford.

To keep first-time car buyers away from this reality, experts have gathered a series of tips that can help those who are looking into purchasing a new vehicle. According to these experts and their reports, one of the first thing a consumer must think about before walking into a new car dealership is how much they are willing, or capable, of putting into the car’s payment monthly.

Some of the factors that may help you to learn more about what kind of car you can afford include where you live, your target monthly payment, terms of your loan and the value of your trade-in. According to the report, your zip code will be essential when taxes and finance rates are being calculated. Knowing what you can afford to pay monthly will help you to know exactly how much your target monthly payment will be. Being realistic about your financial situation is of extreme importance because you do not want to end up stuck with monthly bills that you cannot cover anytime in the near future.

Specialists also urge drivers to try to stick with the 60-month loan term because this term is the best option between the shorter terms that make your monthly payments higher and the longer terms that add cumulative interest to your purchase.

By using your old vehicle as a trade-in, you might get less money than you would by selling it privately. Make sure to do your homework and learn more about how you could safely sell your car on your own to get the best value on your vehicle before attempting to use it as a trade-in.

Experts also suggest that you should go to a dealer with a pre-approved rate from a lender, which could help you to get a better interest rate on your vehicle.

One of the most important tips is: look for what you need not what you want. By focusing on the type of vehicles you can afford and that is equipped with the features that are essential to your life style and commute, you will be saving in the long run as well.

For more info on how to buy a new car without becoming submerged in debt, click here for the full article.