WTB: Grown-up Car

[WRXtranceformed]

Put as much down as you can, if you're buying.

Only do this if you plan on keeping the car IMO so that you can avoid as much interest as possible during the life of the loan. Cars depreciate way too fast, especially new ones, to keep that much money tied up in them without the desire just to be debt free. I would MUCH rather have $20-25k tied up in my investment accounts earning over 15% right now than a car that loses 3-4k+ per year.

I say this from experience having gone both routes. I put a lot down on my first WRX only to sell it for maybe a few grand more than my payoff. Every vehicle since then I have put down maybe $500 each time and waited to sell it until my payoff was <= the resale value. That way you are basically just trading keys. Never take a loss on a car or roll in negative equity...I know so many people that do it here and it is SO ridiculous.