LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are borrowing record amounts for their new cars, with the average monthly auto loan payment today coming in at more than $4801. To help car buyers find affordable, high-quality vehicles, leading personal finance site GOBankingRates uncovered 36 cars on sale today — from the Jeep Renegade to the Honda Civic — that can be financed for less than $300 a month.
GOBankingRates investigated dozens of affordable makes and models, consulting with car experts at Edmunds.com, Cars.com, AutoTrader.com and more to compile the list. The report also includes tips on which cars offer the best fuel economy and warranties, which will incur the lowest maintenance costs, and what kind of safety features drivers can expect.
"The truth is, you don't have to choose between a gigantic monthly payment and a junker when buying a new car," said Casey Bond, managing editor of GOBankingRates. "Our research shows that some of the most popular cars this year can also be some of the most affordable — as long as you keep your credit high and choose a loan term length that works well with your budget."
36 Vehicles With Car Payments Under $300 a Month:
2016 Hyundai Elantra GT |
2015 Hyundai Veloster |
2015 Volkswagen Jetta |
2015 Hyundai Elantra |
2015 Toyota Yaris |
2015 Hyundai Accent |
2015 Toyota Prius c |
2015 Honda Fit |
2015 Toyota Corolla |
2015 Honda Civic |
2015 Smart Fortwo |
2015 Ford Focus |
2015 Nissan Versa Note |
2015 Ford Fiesta |
2015 Nissan Versa |
2015 Fiat 500 |
2015 Nissan Sentra |
2015 Dodge Dart |
2015 Nissan Frontier |
2015 Chevrolet Spark |
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage |
2015 Chevrolet Sonic |
2015 Kia Soul |
2015 Chevrolet Cruze |
2015 Kia Rio |
2014 Scion xB |
2015 Kia Forte5 |
2014 Scion iQ |
2015 Kia Forte Koup |
2014 Nissan Cube |
2015 Kia Forte |
2014 Mazda Mazda2 |
2015 Jeep Renegade |
2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe |
2015 Jeep Patriot |
2014 Honda Insight |
Additional details:
- Jeep: According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2015 Jeep Patriot is the most affordable small utility vehicle on the road this year — a five-year loan will cost you $242 a month.
- Ford: Experts at TrueCar say the 2015 Ford Focus is now built on the European-based platform, making it one of the sportiest cars on the list. The 2015 model year also offers segment-leading technology and safety features. You can buy one for about $249 a month with a five-year loan.
- Toyota: The 2015 Toyota Corolla will run you about $246 a month on a five-year loan. According to CarsDirect, the car is reliable even at higher mileages, meaning it will better hold its value and be worth more at trade-in.
Methodology:
Auto payments were calculated using the starting MSRP as provided by the car manufacturer, assuming a 20 percent down payment, a five-year term length and an interest rate of 3.44%. This rate is the daily national average on five-year new auto loans for consumers with excellent credit scores (740 to 850); it was pulled from Informa Research Services' database on April 1, 2015.
About GOBankingRates:
GOBankingRates.com is a leading portal for personal finance news and features, offering visitors the latest information on everything from interest rates to strategies on saving money, managing a budget and getting out of debt. Its editors are regularly featured on top-tier media outlets, including U.S. News, Business Insider, Daily Finance, Huffington Post and more. It also specializes in connecting consumers with the best financial institutions and interest rates nationwide.
Contact:
Roxy Barghahn
GOBankingRates.com
[email protected]
310-297-9233 x202
1 USA Today: "Car Buyers Borrow Most Ever, Make Record Payments," March 4, 2015
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SOURCE GOBankingRates
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