First-time buyers
Buying Your First Car?
We've helped a lot of first-time buyers get into a real car they could actually afford. Here's the no-BS playbook — and if you want, we'll do the heavy lifting for you.
Apply online — we'll match you with the right lender for your situation.
What you actually need
No mystery. Here's the full list.
How much car can you afford?
Drop in your monthly take-home and we'll do the math (the 20/4/10 rule).
Take-home = after taxes. Gig workers, average your last 3 months.
Max monthly payment
$0
payment + insurance + gas
Suggested down
$0
~20% of car price
Smart price ceiling
$0
total out the door, ballpark
How is this calculated?
Build credit the right way
A car loan is one of the fastest ways to build credit — if you do it right.
What helps your score
What hurts your score
No credit ≠ bad credit
We work with lenders who specialize in first-time buyers with no history. You don't always need a co-signer, and you don't need someone to "build credit on your behalf" first. Apply with us and we'll match you to the right lender for your situation.
Apply onlineReady to find out?
Apply for financing.
Fill out our credit app and we'll match you with the right lender for your situation — including programs built for buyers with no credit history. Approvals back fast.
Get qualifiedSecure application processed by DealerCenter · no obligation
Send me the First-Car Checklist
We'll text you our 1-page checklist (what to bring, what to ask, what to skip) plus a couple of cars from our lot under your budget. No pressure, no spam — reply STOP anytime.
Starter cars on our lot
Reliable picks under $12K — the kind of car your future self will thank you for.
Common first-timer questions
Does the credit app affect my score?
Yes — it's a real credit application, not a soft check. A hard inquiry typically dings your score by 5–10 points temporarily and recovers within a few months. Important: multiple auto-loan inquiries within a 14-day window count as a single inquiry, so you can shop rates without compounding the impact. Only apply when you're seriously ready to buy.
Do I need a co-signer if I'm 18 with no credit?
Often no. We work with first-time-buyer programs through lenders that look at more than just your credit score — things like your income and your down payment carry real weight. A co-signer can get you a better rate, but it's not always required. Many applications come back within minutes.
How much should I put down?
As much as you can without draining your savings to zero. Most first-time-buyer loans want 10–20% down. On a $10K car, that's $1,000–$2,000. More down means a smaller monthly payment, lower interest, and you're not "underwater" the day you drive off.
What's the cheapest way to get insured?
Compare 3–4 quotes online before you pick the car (Geico, Progressive, State Farm, AAA). Quote the exact car you're thinking about — insurance varies wildly. A 2015 Civic might be $80/mo. A 2018 Mustang for the same driver could be $250/mo. Stay on a parent's policy if you can — it's almost always cheapest.
Can I trade in a car I still owe on?
Yes, but it's tricky. If your trade-in is worth more than what you owe (positive equity), great — the difference goes toward your new car. If you owe more than it's worth (negative equity / "upside down"), that gap rolls into your new loan. Try to avoid this if you're a first-time buyer. Get a free trade-in quote here.
Why Pacific Autohaus
We were first-time buyers once too. We don't pressure, we don't pile on add-ons, and we don't bury fees. Talk to James and Jakob like real people.