Car Affordability Calculator

Buying a car isn’t as straightforward as making everyday purchases. The former involves multiple steps and requires prior research, a reasonable budget and some negotiating skills. But buying isn’t for everyone, either. For guidance on the proper way to purchase or lease a car, we asked a panel of experts for their thoughts on the following key questions:

• What are the most common mistakes people make when shopping for a car?
• In what circumstances is leasing a smarter option than buying?
• Generally, what percentage of take-home pay should go to car payments?
• What are your predictions for car sales in 2021? Should we expect to see an increase prompted by a lack of confidence in public transport, or less commuting due to more people working from home?