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Should I pay cash or take out a car loan for a commuter car?

I have cash for a new car up to $7,000, but I was thinking of maybe taking out a loan and using the $7,000 simply as a down payment. I don't really want a car payment, but I need a reliable car for commuting. Should I pay cash or should I take out a car loan?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“If you aren’t keen on a car payment, cash is ideal.
In general, $7,000 cash will get you a pretty reliable car. It may not have the bells and whistles of a car that’s twice as expensive, but if you only need to commute, this should get the job done.
If you were to get a loan, you’d also have to pay for additional
car insurance
coverage per the loan contract. Getting insurance can be a stressful and expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be. Try the free
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app to help you compare rates from the top 50 companies and get the best deals delivered to your phone in minutes.
While you could get a loan, the idea of paying cash is probably a much better option in terms of financial savviness and avoiding depreciation.”
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