How the car affordability calculator works
Working backwards honestly
Affordability calculators that output "price" from a payment usually forget the state sits between payment and price: tax and fees consume ~6–12% of every sticker dollar. This one reserves that slice before quoting a price, so the result survives contact with the contract.
The 20/4/10 rule, in context
Twenty percent down, four-year term, total car costs under 10% of gross income. It is conservative — most buyers break at least one leg — but as a default it prevents the two classic failures: negative equity and car payments that outlive the transmission. Use it as a sanity line, not a law.
Insurance is the hidden second payment
Financed cars carry full-coverage requirements, and young drivers on new SUVs see $250+/month. Budget it beside the payment before choosing the price — a $28k car at $550/mo plus $220 insurance is a $770/month transportation decision, before gas and maintenance.