How Auto Loan Payments Are Calculated
Your car payment is determined by four factors: vehicle price minus down payment (the principal), interest rate, and loan term. The formula is: M = (P − D) × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1], where D is the down payment. For example, a $25,000 car with a $5,000 down payment financed at 6.5% APR for 60 months results in a monthly payment of approximately $390.44 and total interest of $3,426.