Buying & Selling

How car salespeople are paid: commission on gross profit, mini deals, bonuses and spiffs, what a salesperson makes per car, and how it helps you negotiate.

Leasing with bad credit is possible but costs more. See credit tiers, money factors, security deposits, co-signers, lease takeovers, and when buying is smarter.

The best time to buy a car is usually October–December, especially late December, plus month-end, holiday weekends and model-year changeover. New and used car timing.

When paying off a car loan early saves money and when it does not: simple vs precomputed interest, prepayment penalties, credit score effects and a savings example.

How to sell a car privately step by step: pricing, listing, safe meetings and payment, title, bill of sale, odometer disclosure, release of liability and loans.

You can deduct up to $10,000 of car loan interest a year for 2025–2028 on new, US-assembled vehicles. See who qualifies, income limits, VIN checks and savings.

Lease vs buy compared: monthly payments, ownership, mileage limits, wear-and-tear fees, a 3-year vs 6-year cost example, and who should lease or buy.

A step-by-step first-time car buyer guide: budgeting with the 20/4/10 rule, pre-approval, first-time buyer programs, buying with no credit, and dealership tips.

How to buy a car in another state: which state gets the sales tax, temporary tags, registration and inspection at home, shipping costs, and scams to avoid.

Put at least 20% down on a new car and 10% on used. See how your down payment changes the payment and interest, average car payments in 2026, and ways to lower your payment.

You can buy a car with bad credit: check your report, save a bigger down payment, get pre-approved and keep the loan short. See rates by credit score, credit card rules and traps.

Toyota, Subaru, Lexus and Honda top the latest reliability data. See Consumer Reports 2025 and J.D. Power 2026 rankings, why they differ, and how to pick a reliable model.