Are you looking to get a new or used car soon, but afraid that you can't afford the down payment? Down payments on most vehicles -- especially used vehicles -- are largely just used to show that you are serious about your financial commitment to your financing. There are many ways that you can pay for your car's down payment, and you can often leave the lot without having to pay anything at all. 

Charge It

If you have a credit card or a credit line, you can simply charge your down payment. Most people are not aware that you can put a down payment for a car on a credit card because you can't do that for other major purchases like a house, but there's absolutely nothing stopping you from charging a car! The dealerships will usually have a limit on this, which is about $3,000 but will change based on the dealership you're using. 

Take Out a Quick Cash Advance

Usually you can take out a cash advance for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on your income. A quick cash advance is a good idea if you need to get a relatively inexpensive vehicle and you need it now -- such as for work. You can then pay off the cash advance once you have received your next paycheck. Getting a cash advance from a company like USA Cash Services is usually a fast process.

Negotiate With the Dealership

Some dealerships are willing to let you take home a vehicle with no down payment, but the caveat is that the down payment is usually rolled into the terms of the loan with an additional fee. Sometimes this fee is significant, other times it's trivial, but either way you'll now be paying interest on the down payment rather than paying it outright. If your interest rate is already low, this might not matter; if it's a high interest rate already, it could greatly increase your monthly costs.

Watch for $0 Down Events

Apart from the above options, you can also wait until the dealership is hosting a $0 down event. Many of these events are held throughout the year, usually during three day weekends or the holidays; this is because most people aren't buying cars at this time. A $0 down event will let you drive a car off the lot without payment, but watch the actual sales price of the vehicles. Sometimes they are higher to compensate.

Keep these tips in mind, and you'll easily be able to afford the down payment on your next car. 

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