Budget for the Car, Not Just the Price
At this end of the market the sticker is only part of what you'll spend in the first few months, and knowing that up front prevents an unpleasant surprise. Beyond the price there's New York sales tax, title and registration, and insurance — which in Brooklyn runs higher than most of the state and varies a lot by vehicle, so it's worth getting a quote on a specific car before you commit rather than after. Then there's the first round of maintenance: a car with some years on it may be due for tires, brakes or a timing belt sooner than a newer one. None of this is a reason not to buy; it's a reason to leave a cushion in your budget rather than spending every dollar on the purchase itself.
Where the Value Sits at $20,000
Roughly speaking, you're choosing between three things at this number. A newer compact sedan — a Corolla, Civic, Elantra or Forte — with fewer miles, the longest remaining service life and the lowest running costs. An older midsize sedan like a Camry or Accord, which gives you a bigger, quieter, better-equipped car for the same money if you accept more years on it. Or a higher-mileage compact SUV such as a RAV4, CR-V, Tucson or Sportage, if cargo space and seating height matter more to you than the odometer. Each is the right answer for someone. Tell us how you'll use the car and we'll tell you which group to focus on.
Questions Worth Asking Us About Any Car Here
Ask to see the vehicle history report — we'll pull it up on any vehicle without being asked twice. Ask what our service department found and repaired before the car went on the lot. Ask why it was traded in, since we usually know. Ask what maintenance is due in the next year. And ask to take it somewhere quiet enough to hear how it sounds, not just around the block. A dealership that hesitates on any of those is telling you something; we'd rather answer them and have you buy with confidence.
Financing for Every Credit Situation
Plaza Auto Mall has been family-owned on Nostrand Avenue since 1975, and our finance team works with all credit situations: excellent credit, first-time buyers, past credit challenges and everything in between. Get pre-approved online before you shop so you know your real budget rather than a round number, estimate your payment, or get an instant cash offer on your current vehicle to put toward the next one. If your budget can stretch, it's worth seeing what certified pre-owned looks like for comparison. Browse all used vehicles, or see used sedans and used SUVs. Visit us on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY 11210, or get directions.
