Spring is here and you may be decluttering your home and life. One way to embrace the changing seasons is to upgrade your car for that SUV or sedan you’ve had your eye on. At Bemidji Chrysler Center, we have a wide selection of both new and used cars, like the 2019 RAM 1500, the 2019 Dodge Journey, and the 2019 Jeep® Wrangler.
Before you start test driving at our Chrysler dealership near Bagley and Park Rapids, make sure you have your budget in order. Here’s where to start.
Monthly Payment
Your first step in creating your car budget is figuring out how much you can pay each month. Maybe your current vehicle is paid off, so buying an upgrade could add a couple hundred dollars to your expenses each month that you’re not used to.
Remember that you must be realistic when figuring out this number. It helps to start this process before you’re test driving, so you don’t have a specific car on your mind and can start solely with the numbers.
Factor in All Costs
A new car’s price is more than what’s on the sticker. Remember that you’ll be dealing with sales tax, title and registration fees, gas, insurance, and more. When you start to calculate the car you can afford, keep these expenses in mind so you’re not surprised later.
Down Payment or Trade-In
Putting down a payment upfront on your new car is usually a requirement of purchase. If you have a lump sum you can put down, you can lower the overall loan amount and your monthly payment amount. This also applies if you have a trade-in vehicle you can use to lower the price.
If you have further questions about your new car budget, our Baudette Jeep dealers can help. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
