Car loan calculator

Calculate your car loan payments or find out what you can afford

Car Loan Calculator Tool

Payment frequency

Vehicle price

$

Down payment

Optional

$

Trade-in value

Optional

$

Interest rate

Term length

Your estimated biweekly payment

$147

Vehicle Price$20,000
HST (13%)$2,600
Interest paid$8,021
Total loan amount$30,621

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Financing fundamentals

How much can I afford?

Finding the right car payment is all about balance. In Canada, a common rule of thumb is to keep your monthly car payment under 10-15% of your take-home pay, but everyone's situation is different. Depending on your lifestyle, income stability, and financial goals, you may be comfortable spending more or less than this guideline.

If you have low fixed expenses or a higher income, you might afford a higher percentage without stress. On the other hand, if you have other payments – like rent, credit cards, or student loans – you may want to stay below 10% to keep financial flexibility.

Lowering your auto loan payment is possible by choosing a longer loan term, increasing your down payment, or selecting a lower-priced vehicle. Keep in mind, though, that extending your car financing term means paying more interest overall.

How does down payment affect your biweekly payment?

A larger down payment reduces the amount you need to borrow, which lowers your biweekly payment. While putting more money down can ease your biweekly budget, it’s important to consider whether that cash might be better used elsewhere, like investments or savings.

Try adjusting your down payment to see the impact

$147

biweekly

$0

down

$141

biweekly

$1,000

down

$134

biweekly

$2,000

down

$128

biweekly

$3,000

down

How does term length affect your biweekly payment?

The loan term – how long you take to repay your auto loan – directly affects your payment size. A longer term spreads the cost over more months, resulting in smaller payments, but increases the total interest paid. A shorter term comes with higher payments but allows you to pay off your car loan faster and save on financing costs.

Try adjusting your term length to see the impact

$211

biweekly

60

months

$183

biweekly

72

months

$162

biweekly

84

months

$147

biweekly

96

months

How does term length affect total loan amount?

Your car loan term impacts the total cost of your financing. A longer term may lower your biweekly payments, but it also increases the interest you’ll pay over the life of the auto loan. A shorter term helps reduce the total loan cost and lets you own your vehicle outright sooner, though the biweekly payments will be higher.

Try adjusting your term length to see the impact

$27,448

loan

60

months

$28,482

loan

72

months

$29,540

loan

84

months

$30,621

loan

96

months

How does interest rate affect your biweekly payment?

Your interest rate is one of the biggest factors affecting your car loan payment and overall cost of financing. Lower rates reduce your payment and total interest, while higher rates make borrowing more expensive. Your rate depends on factors like credit history, loan term, and lender policies. Comparing car loan rates in Canada or improving your credit score can help you qualify for better financing terms.

Try adjusting your interest rate to see the impact

$147

biweekly

7.99%

rate

$153

biweekly

8.99%

rate

$158

biweekly

9.99%

rate

FAQ

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