A common guideline is the 20/4/10 rule: put down at least 20%, finance for no more than 4 years, and keep total transport costs under 10% of your gross income. A simpler rule: don't spend more than 20-25% of your annual take-home pay on a car.

The purchase price is just the beginning. Annual running costs including registration, insurance, fuel, servicing, and tyres typically add $5,000–$10,000 per year depending on the vehicle. For financing options, use our Loan Repayment Calculator.