[header] How to calculate a down payment for a car [title] Consider your options. [step] Dealerships make money by offering higher interest loans than other financial institutions. Because of that, you should know ahead of time how much you are willing to spend, and stick to that. 
Generally, if you have a credit score above 650, you should be able to get financing through a bank or credit union for a much better interest rate than at a dealership. [title] Decide how much you can afford to pay as a down payment.