Look for mid-2000s Toyota Corollas, Honda Civics, or Mazda 3s.
Budget an extra 10% of the purchase price for DMV fees and sales tax.
A high-mileage car with service records is better than a low-mileage car with none. 💰 Financing & Budgeting The 20/4/10 Rule (Modified): Put 20% down. Finance for no more than 4 years. Keep total car costs under 10% of your take-home pay. buying a used car on minimum wage
Check local credit unions first; they offer the lowest rates for low-income buyers. 🛠️ Inspecting on a Budget
These dealers often have predatory interest rates (20%+). Look for mid-2000s Toyota Corollas, Honda Civics, or
Learn to change your own oil, air filters, and spark plugs via YouTube to save hundreds. 📉 Hidden Cost Killers
Dark, burnt-smelling oil or cloudy coolant are major red flags. 💰 Financing & Budgeting The 20/4/10 Rule (Modified):
When your budget is tight, reliability is the only feature that matters.