How much truck can i afford




















Of course, there's a lot to consider when buying. You have to start by thinking about what type is best suited to your specific needs. Are you strictly looking for a utility vehicle, or do you want something that can do double duty as a work truck and a recreational vehicle? Do you need a light pick-up for your weekend DIY projects, or are you in the market for something stylish that can officially replace the family car? Then there's your budget to consider.

How much can you truly afford; and should you focus entirely on new models or should you consider the used market? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, how are you going to pay. What financing options are available, and how do you go about finding a loan that won't become a hardship down the road? These are critical questions, and they need to be asked before you ever think about setting foot in a dealer's showroom. There was a time, not so long ago, when all pick-ups were pretty much the same.

There might be some subtle cosmetic variations, but by and large a truck was a truck. Those days are long gone. Today, there are as many different makes and models pick-ups as there are cars, and the choices can get a little overwhelming. The first step to buying a new, or used, truck is to find the model that is right for you and your budget.

This begins by thinking about how you will use it. If it is going to be a work vehicle, think about the most demanding tasks it will need to handle. If you will be hauling heavy loads or towing heavy trailers you'll need to look into full-sized or heavy duty models.

If it is going to be handling heavy loads, it needs to be up to the job. That means choosing a model that has the power, mass, suspension, and breaking system to safely handle the heaviest of loads.

Alternatively, if you are looking for something that can handle light loads while doubling as a recreational vehicle, you should consider compact or mid-sized models. These are much more fuel efficient, as well as being more versatile when it comes to replacing, or augmenting, the family car.

Next, you need to think about cab size. If you're in the market for a simple work truck, a standard cab should suffice. This should provide enough room for three average sized adults, though it may not be the most comfortable ride.

However, if you need to accommodate a larger work crew, or simply want enough room for the whole family, you'll want to go with an extended cab or a four-door crew cab.

Keep in mind, however, that a larger cab typically means reduced bed length. Full sized and heavy duty models do offer extended crew cabs with full 8 foot beds, but it makes for a long vehicle that can be hard to handle and unsuitable for recreational use. When it comes to choosing the right truck for your needs, there are four basic categories to consider — compact, mid-size, full-size, and heavy duty.

Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs. Understandably, compact and mid-size trucks are fairly limited when it comes to handling heavy loads, while full-size and heavy duty pick-ups may not be suitable replacements for the family car.

Before you go shopping, review the four basic categories and consider how they match up with how you intend to use the vehicle. Compact models are the most fuel efficient, due to their lighter weight and smaller engines. They're a good choice for everyday use, or as a recreational vehicle, but are not really suitable for heavy duty tasks. The average payload for a compact model is between and pounds, and most have a towing capacity of to pounds.

Mid-size trucks typically offer more interior room for passengers, while sticking with a smaller bed. Over the years, mid-size models have become extremely popular as secondary, or even primary, family vehicles, and manufacturers have concentrated on making them stylish as well as functional, often blurring the line between trucks and SUVs. Like compact models, mid-size pick-ups are limited when it comes to heavy duty tasks, and are primarily designed for everyday use and as recreational vehicles.

Sometimes called half-tons, full-size trucks can carry payloads of up to pounds, and when properly outfitted can have a towing capacity of up to 10, pounds. Full-size pick-ups are more workhorse than racehorse, and are primarily designed to handle heavy duty tasks. That being said, most models are relatively fuel efficient getting upwards of 20 miles per gallon and are capable of doing double duty as a work truck and a recreational vehicle.

If you're looking for a full 8 foot long bed, as well as the option of an extended or four-door crew cab, full-size pick-ups are you're best option. Popular models include the Dodge Ram, the Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra, all of which are available with optional 8-cylinder engines for extra power to handle the really heavy loads.

You are currently viewing GMC. Close this window to stay here or choose another country to see vehicles and services specific to your location. The convenience of the latest technology. The distinct design of signature lighting. The familiar grip of the steering wheel. Before you jump into buying mode, however, you may want to balance your dream vehicle with your budget. Ask yourself these four questions:. The cargo space and third-row seating of an SUV is perfect for some, while others need a truck that can handle work and play.

Either way, you need a vehicle that fits your lifestyle. The average life of a loan or lease is two to five years. Before you decide, think about how your family may grow or your need for a truck with more torque might change.

The monthly payment on your vehicle can be one of your biggest expenses. Also, remember to account for:. The offers for financial products you see on our platform come from companies who pay us. The money we make helps us give you access to free credit scores and reports and helps us create our other great tools and educational materials.

Compensation may factor into how and where products appear on our platform and in what order. But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you. That's why we provide features like your Approval Odds and savings estimates. Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can.

To answer this question, you have two choices: You can follow conventional wisdom, or you can take a more customized approach to budgeting. Your net income is the money you take home after federal, state and local income taxes have been deducted from your paycheck.

Following conventional wisdom will work just fine for some car buyers. Doing so will give you a detailed picture of your finances, and you can use that picture to get a better idea of how much car you can afford. Average APR. Based on credit tier; actual terms may differ. LightStream review. As low as 2. Capital One review. MyAutoloan review. Consumers Credit Union review. Note: APR is used to evaluate the true cost of borrowing money and includes the interest rate.

Most car payment calculators start with the total loan amount you want and other inputs to see what your monthly payment would be. You can try different loan terms and adjust the inputs to further customize your loan amount. NerdWallet recommends maximum loan terms of 36 months for buying a used car and 60 months for new cars. Also, a longer loan term increases your risk of becoming upside-down on the loan, meaning you owe more than the car is worth.

This will depend on several other factors, including:.



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