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THE SHORT ANSWER If you can do it comfortably, aim for roughly 20% down on a new car and about 10% on a used one, because that keeps your loan from outrunning the car's value. If you can't, a smaller down payment can still work, as long as you understand the trade-offs and never drain your emergency savings to hit a number. How much money should you actually put down on a car? It's the first question most shoppers ask, and the honest answer depends on your budget, the car you pick, and how long you plan to keep it. Here's what the team at North Shore Honda in Glen Head, NY, tells people every day: the common beliefs about down payments, and what really holds up. IN THIS POST Myth: You need 20% down or you can't buy Myth: Zero down is free money Myth: Your trade-in is separate from your down payment Myth: Put down as much as you possibly can Key takeaways Myth: You need 20% down or you can't buy The 20% rule gets repeated so often that many people assume it's a lender requirement. It isn't. It's a rule of thumb, and a good one, but plenty of shoppers buy with less. Here's what a down payment really does. It lowers the amount you borrow, which brings down your monthly payment and the total interest over the life of the loan. A larger amount up front can also make your application look stronger to a lender, though approval and rate always come down to your full credit picture. Where the numbers come from The usual guideline is about 20% on a new car and around 10% on a used one. New cars lose value fastest in their early years, so a bigger cushion keeps your balance closer to what the car is worth. Used and certified cars have already taken that first hit, so a smaller down payment goes further. If 20% isn't realistic right now, that doesn't close the door. It means you should weigh the total cost of the loan, not just the monthly payment, and pick a term you can live with. Checking current offers is worth a minute too, since manufacturer incentives can change the math. Myth: Zero down is free money No-money-down deals feel like you're keeping cash in your pocket. You are, today. But you're financing the whole price plus taxes and fees, and that costs you in interest. A bigger risk is negative equity, which means owing more than the car is worth. Cars depreciate quickly, and with nothing down, your balance can sit above the car's value for a long stretch. That matters if the car is totaled or stolen, or if you want to trade it in early. If you go with little or nothing down, protect yourself: Ask about gap coverage, which can help cover the difference between what insurance pays and what you still owe. Keep the loan term as short as your budget allows. Plan to keep the car long enough for your payments to catch up to its value. Another way to shrink what you need up front is to lower the price itself. A Honda Certified pre-owned vehicle has already absorbed much of its early depreciation, so the same down payment covers a bigger share of the loan. North Shore Honda offers new Honda and Honda Certified inventory, so you can compare both side by side. Myth: Your trade-in is separate from your down payment Many shoppers save cash for a down payment and treat the trade-in as a bonus. In reality, trade-in equity counts toward your down payment just as cash does. Equity is the difference between what your car is worth and what you still owe on it. Own it outright and the whole trade value works for you. Still paying it off? Only the portion above your payoff balance helps. When the trade works against you If you owe more than the car is worth, that shortfall doesn't disappear. It usually gets added to the new loan, which raises what you finance and can leave you upside down from day one. Extra cash down is the cleanest way to cover that gap. Before you shop, get your payoff amount from your lender and value your trade so you know where you stand. Add that equity to the cash you plan to bring, and you have your real down payment. In New York, your trade's value generally reduces the taxable price of your next car, which is one more reason trading in can stretch your money further than selling privately. Myth: Put down as much as you possibly can It sounds responsible, and up to a point it is. But emptying your savings to lower a car payment can leave you exposed the first time a furnace dies or a paycheck runs late. The expert tip: start with your cushion, then decide First, set aside what you want in reserve, ideally a few months of expenses. Whatever you have beyond that is your available down payment. Then look at how much each extra dollar down actually saves you in interest. When rates are low, the savings from a bigger down payment may be worth less than keeping cash on hand; if rates are high, putting more down pays off faster. A few moves that help: Get prequalified so you have a sense of your likely rate before you choose an amount. Compare the total cost at two or three down payment levels, not just the monthly figure. Remember that cash you put down can't come back out, while many auto loans let you pay extra later. Confirm there's no prepayment penalty. Our financing team can run those side-by-side numbers with you. North Shore Honda's motto is to take care of customers and the business will follow, and that means helping you land on a down payment that fits your life. Where 611 Glen Cove Rd Glen Head, NY Call (516) 629-5612 KEY TAKEAWAYS A bigger down payment shrinks what you borrow and the interest you pay. Trade-in equity counts toward your down payment, just like cash. Keep an emergency cushion first, then put the rest toward the car. FAQ Common questions Is it better to put more money down or hold out for a lower rate? Both lower your total cost, so compare them directly. Run the loan at a couple of down payment amounts and rates, and look at the total interest paid. Often the best move is a reasonable down payment plus the best rate your credit qualifies for. Can I buy a car with no money down? It's often possible, depending on your credit, the lender, and the vehicle, but it's never a given. If you go that route, keep the term short and consider gap coverage so you're protected while you owe more than the car is worth. Does a bigger down payment help if my credit isn't great? It can. Putting more down lowers the lender's risk, which may improve your chances or your terms. Approval and rate still depend on your overall credit history and income, so a larger down payment helps but doesn't settle the question on its own. Can I use a credit card for my down payment? Some dealerships accept part of a down payment on a card, and policies and limits vary, so ask ahead. Unless you can pay the card off right away, you'd be trading loan interest for credit card interest, which is usually higher. Should I put money down on a lease? Many people keep the amount due at signing small on a lease. If a leased car is totaled early, money you put down to lower the payments is usually gone. A smaller upfront amount means slightly higher payments but less cash at risk. Know your numbers before you shop Our finance team can walk you through options that fit your budget. Apply for financing Value your trade Or call (516) 629-5612 · 611 Glen Cove Rd, Glen Head Or keep browsing Current offers New inventory Used cars Contact us Certified pre-owned Used specials

THE SHORT ANSWER Probably not as often as you'd think. An SUV earns its place if you regularly need all-wheel drive, a higher seat that's easier to get in and out of, or extra ground clearance. For many drivers, a sedan, hatchback or minivan with good winter tires does the job just as well. Do you actually need an SUV, or does it just feel that way because half the driveways on your street have one? It's one of the most common questions shoppers bring to North Shore Honda in Glen Head, and the honest answer depends on how you drive, not on what's popular. Below are the beliefs we hear most often, what's true about each one, and how to work out which vehicle fits your week. IN THIS POST Myth: You need an SUV to handle winter Myth: A bigger vehicle is automatically safer Myth: A family needs an SUV Myth: An SUV costs much more to own Myth: You need an SUV's height and clearance Myth: You'll know the right one when you see it Key takeaways Myth: You need an SUV to handle winter Snow is the reason most people on the North Shore give for wanting an SUV, and it's a fair worry. Hills, unplowed side streets and icy mornings are real here. What keeps you moving, and more importantly stopping, is the rubber touching the road. Winter tires matter more than body style. A front-wheel-drive sedan on good snow tires will usually brake and steer better on ice than an all-wheel-drive SUV on worn all-seasons. All-wheel drive helps you pull away from a stop and climb a slippery driveway, but it does nothing to shorten your stopping distance. Where all-wheel drive earns its keep AWD is worth paying for if you: Live at the top of a steep or long driveway Head upstate to ski or drive rural roads in winter Leave early, before the plows have come through In Honda's current lineup, all-wheel drive is offered on the SUVs and the Ridgeline pickup, while the Civic and Accord are front-wheel drive. If AWD is a must for you, that does point you toward an SUV. If it isn't, a dedicated set of winter tires is the best cold-weather upgrade you can make, and fall is a smart time to book a service visit to have them mounted. Myth: A bigger vehicle is automatically safer Sitting up high feels safe, and in a collision between a heavy vehicle and a light one, physics favors the heavier one. That's about where the truth in this myth ends. Taller vehicles carry a higher center of gravity, and while stability control has made rollovers far less common, an SUV still can't swerve around an obstacle as nimbly as a lower car. Crash-test results matter more than size. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and NHTSA test vehicles and publish their results free online. Look up the exact model and year you're considering rather than assuming the bigger one wins, because plenty of sedans earn top marks. The features that help you avoid a crash Staying out of the collision altogether is what helps most. Current Hondas, cars and SUVs alike, generally come with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features, including collision mitigation braking and lane-keeping assistance. Confirm what's included on the window sticker for the trim you like, and ask for a quick walkthrough during your drive. Headlight quality is an underrated safety item, too. IIHS rates headlights separately, which is worth checking if you drive dark roads after work. Myth: A family needs an SUV Kids come with a lot of gear, and a big rear hatch is genuinely convenient. Still, a family vehicle doesn't have to be an SUV. Measure your real life, not your busiest weekend. Think about what you carry most weeks: a stroller, sports bags, groceries, a dog crate. A sedan with fold-down rear seats can swallow more than you'd expect, and the Civic Hatchback is a good example of a small car with a surprisingly useful cargo opening. When the answer is a minivan If you have three kids, carpool regularly or install more than two car seats, look hard at the Odyssey before a three-row SUV. Sliding doors are easier in tight parking lots and school pickup lines. Reaching the third row is typically simpler, and a low floor helps small kids and grandparents climb in on their own. Plenty of families shop for a large SUV and drive home happier in a minivan. For two kids and a busy schedule, a compact SUV like the CR-V often hits the sweet spot between room and easy parking. Browse our new Honda inventory to compare a CR-V, an Accord and an Odyssey side by side before you visit. Myth: An SUV costs much more to own Years ago this was mostly true. Today the gap is narrower than many people assume, though it hasn't disappeared. Compare total cost, not just the sticker. Beyond the purchase price, weigh: Insurance quotes for the exact models you're considering Tire replacement, since larger SUV tires usually cost more Fuel, using the EPA estimate for each specific version Expected resale value down the road Hybrids have changed the math. Honda offers hybrid powertrains in both cars and SUVs, including the Accord, Civic and CR-V, so choosing an SUV no longer means giving up efficient driving. Check fueleconomy.gov for the trims you're comparing rather than going on general impressions. Don't overlook pre-owned If the SUV you want stretches your budget, a certified pre-owned model can close the gap. North Shore Honda offers new Honda and Honda Certified inventory, so you can compare certified pre-owned SUVs against new cars in one visit. Loan terms depend on your credit and the lender, so get a payment estimate before you fall for a particular vehicle. Myth: You need an SUV's height and clearance Two different things get lumped together here: seating height and ground clearance. They solve separate problems, so it's worth pulling them apart. Getting in and out If you have a sore back or stiff knees, or you lift a toddler into a car seat several times a day, a higher seat is a real benefit, not a luxury. You slide in sideways instead of dropping down into the car. Sit in a sedan and an SUV back to back, and notice how your hips and knees feel climbing out of each. Clearing the road Ground clearance matters less than people expect for typical suburban driving. Paved roads, speed bumps and most driveways are no trouble for a car. Extra clearance does help on rutted dirt roads, sandy beach lots, deep unplowed snow and steep driveway aprons that scrape front bumpers. If none of those describe your week, you'd be paying for capability you rarely use. A lower car also tends to make loading a roof rack or bike carrier easier, which is a small perk people forget about. Myth: You'll know the right one when you see it Showroom impressions are powerful, but they aren't always reliable. The surest way to decide is to test both kinds of vehicle against your actual routine. Bring your life to the test drive. That means: Install your own car seat and check how easily you can reach it Load your stroller, golf clubs or hockey bag Drive part of your real commute, including a highway merge Try your tightest parking spot, or one just like it Have the tallest person in your household sit behind the driver Schedule back-to-back drives of an SUV and a car so the comparison stays fresh. You can book a test drive ahead of time so both vehicles are ready when you arrive. North Shore Honda is family-owned and operated, and its philosophy is fair, easy, honest and sincere. Come in with your list of must-haves and ask for a straight comparison. If the right answer turns out to be a sedan instead of the SUV you walked in wanting, that's a good outcome too. Where 611 Glen Cove Rd Glen Head, NY Call (516) 629-5612 KEY TAKEAWAYS Winter tires do more for snow and ice than body style; all-wheel drive helps you get moving but not stop. Check crash-test ratings for the exact model instead of assuming bigger means safer. Test an SUV and a car back to back with your own gear, car seats and commute before you decide. FAQ Common questions Is all-wheel drive worth it on Long Island? It depends on your driveway and your habits. If you live on a hill, leave before the plows or drive upstate in winter, AWD is a real help getting moving. For mostly flat, plowed suburban roads, a front-wheel-drive car on winter tires handles snow well, and tires are what help you stop. Is a hybrid SUV a good middle ground? For many shoppers, yes. A hybrid like the CR-V Hybrid gives you SUV space and seating height with more efficient driving than a gas-only version. Compare the EPA estimates and price difference for the specific trims to see how quickly the savings add up for your mileage. Should I get a three-row SUV or a minivan? If you'll use the third row often, especially with car seats, a minivan like the Odyssey is usually easier to live with thanks to sliding doors and simpler third-row access. A three-row SUV like the Pilot makes more sense if you also want all-wheel drive or more ground clearance and use the back row only occasionally. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (516) 629-5612 · 611 Glen Cove Rd, Glen Head Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars

Do Not Let Trade-in Myths Cost You Thousands This Fall Thinking about upgrading your Honda as school starts and fall trips get closer? This is when many drivers around Great Neck, Hicksville, and Port Washington start asking what their current Honda is really worth. A trade-in can make a big difference in your next payment, but bad information can easily cost you money. There are a lot of myths that spread through neighborhood chats, social media groups, and even casual talks at work. Those myths can lead Honda owners to accept low offers, wait too long to trade, or skip trading in completely. We want to clear up the biggest myths about getting a Honda trade-in in Great Neck so you can walk into a dealership feeling calm, prepared, and confident. Myth One: Online Estimates Are What Your Car Is Worth Many drivers type in their license plate or VIN on a quick online tool and think that number is final. It feels simple, but it is only a rough guess. Those instant values usually do not know: Your car’s true condition How well you kept up with service What buyers near Great Neck are looking for right now Any recent work you have done Dealer tools look at real-time market data for Long Island, current interest in your specific Honda model, and what it will cost to recondition your car for the next owner. A clean, well-serviced Honda can be worth more than a generic site suggests, while one that needs work may be worth less. Online tools are helpful as a starting point. They give you a ballpark range so you are not walking in blind. But to understand your real trade value, you need an in-person appraisal from a team that works with Hondas every day and knows the local market. Myth Two: You Always Get Less Than Selling It Yourself It is easy to think, "If I sell it myself, I will make more." On paper, a private sale price can look higher than a trade-in number. But that is only part of the story. A private sale around Great Neck often means: Paying for ads or listings Taking time off to show the car and handle test drives Cleaning and detailing on your own Dealing with minor repairs buyers ask for Waiting on people who cancel or do not show up You also have to manage paperwork, payment safety, and title transfer. That is a lot of work and stress for a busy family or commuter. With a trade-in, the process is much simpler. Your old Honda value goes straight into your deal for your next vehicle. Depending on your situation, it can also help reduce the taxable amount on your new purchase or lease, which may narrow or even erase the gap compared with a private sale. Many drivers find that when they factor in time, safety, and convenience, trading in feels like the smarter move. Myth Three: Older or High-Mileage Hondas Have No Trade Value Some drivers believe that once a Honda passes 100,000 miles or is more than ten years old, it is worth nothing. That idea stops people from even asking about a trade-in, and they miss out on money they could put toward their next vehicle. Hondas are known for lasting a long time, especially when they see regular service. Older Civics, Accords, CR-Vs, and other models are still in demand for daily driving, first cars, and budget-friendly transportation. Even when a Honda is not a good fit for retail resale, it can still have value for wholesale channels or parts. You can often help your older Honda bring stronger trade value with a few simple steps: Bring maintenance and repair records Do a basic interior and exterior cleaning Fix small, affordable issues like lights or wipers Bring both sets of keys and any accessories that came with the car The more clearly we can see that you cared for your Honda, the easier it is to put a fair, strong value on it. Myth Four: Fall Is a Bad Time to Trade in Your Honda Some people wait, thinking they should hold off until a special sale or a different season. In reality, fall can be a smart time to think about your Honda trade-in in Great Neck. Around this time, new model-year Hondas start to arrive. Dealers are working to balance current inventory with incoming vehicles, including newer technology and EV options. That can lead to competitive trade offers as we match drivers with the right new or used vehicles. Trading in before winter has a few benefits: You avoid extra cold-weather wear on an older vehicle You can head into holiday travel in something newer and more comfortable You may gain updated safety and driver-assist features You can get ahead of any repairs your current car might need for winter Instead of waiting until the first snow or a sudden repair bill, some drivers prefer to make the switch when the weather is still mild and schedules are more flexible. Myth Five: Only Perfect Credit Gets a Fair Trade Offer Another common myth is that if your credit is not perfect, your trade value will suffer. That is not how it works. Your trade-in value is based on your vehicle, not your credit score. When your car is appraised, the focus is on: Age, mileage, and trim Overall condition inside and out Service and accident history Current local demand for that model Financing is a separate part of the process. A finance team can explore options that match your credit situation, while the appraisal team sticks to what your Honda is actually worth in the market. If your current Honda is paid off or almost paid off, that equity can help you build a stronger deal structure, even if you are working on rebuilding or starting credit. Understanding this difference helps many drivers feel more comfortable bringing in their current Honda, instead of waiting and letting it lose more value over time. Turn Local Trade-in Myths Into Real Savings When you clear away the myths, you gain a lot more control. Online values are only a starting point, private sales are not always better, older or high-mileage Hondas can still carry value, fall can be a smart time to trade, and your credit score does not change what your car is worth. Drivers in Great Neck and nearby communities often have more trade-in power than they think. Instead of relying on hearsay, quick posts, or secondhand stories, it pays to get a real, in-person look at your Honda from a team that works with these vehicles all day, every day. With a clear appraisal and honest information, you can decide whether trading in is right for you and move toward your next Honda with confidence. Get More for Your Honda With a Smart Trade-In Today If you are ready to see what your current vehicle is worth, start with our quick online tool for Honda trade-in in Great Neck. At North Shore Honda, we make the process straightforward so you can move into your next vehicle with confidence. Share a few details about your car and we will provide a fair, transparent value estimate. If you have questions at any point, you can always contact us for personal assistance.