Car financing, explained

Learn what to expect if you’re thinking about financing your next car.

cartoon of two people asking financing questions

Your 10 Biggest Financing Questions, Answered

Get the answers you need from down payments to choosing a lender.

Why Your Down Payment Matters

See how your down payment can affect your monthly payment amount.

drawing of financing specialist on auto financing

How Auto Financing Works

Learn what to expect before you decide on financing your next car.

How to Sell Your Car to CarMax

How you sell your used car is up to you. But at CarMax, we’ll give you a same-day written offer for your car and you don’t have to buy a car from us. Here are tips and pointers for getting a real offer for your car from CarMax.

Financing

Mon, Nov 6, 2023

How to Sell Your Car

Whether you want to go with the simplicity of a dealership sale or do the legwork with a private-party sale, this guide will help you get the most out of your used car.

Financing

Tue, Jun 27, 2023

How Much Car Can I Afford?

Are you dreaming of driving a new-to-you car but aren't sure what you can afford? We've got you covered. In this article, you'll discover tips and advice on how to determine what you can afford by budgeting for your purchase, thinking about future expenses, and choosing a monthly car payment.

Financing

Mon, Jun 19, 2023

How Much Is Electric Car Maintenance?

One of the advantages to owning an electric vehicle is the low maintenance costs, which is true with one important caveat: replacing the battery.

Financing

Tue, Jun 13, 2023

Why Your Down Payment Matters

What is a down payment and how important is it when financing a car? In this article, we answer these commonly asked questions, and more.

Financing

Fri, Jun 9, 2023

Leasing a New Car vs. Buying a Used Car

We look at the pros and cons of buying a used car versus leasing a new model.

Financing

Tue, May 30, 2023

5 Steps to Financing Your First Car

Financing a car for the first time can be intimidating, and it's easy to make mistakes when you're planning your budget. But making monthly payments usually means you can get a nicer or newer vehicle much more quickly than if you saved up long enough to pay cash. Don't worry, Edmunds editor Keith Buglewicz is here to help you get the most from your first financing experience.

Financing

Tue, May 16, 2023

Getting Pre-Qualified: Shop with Personalized Financing Terms

If you’re in the market for a used car, getting pre-qualified is a good first step in your financing journey. Learn more about how the process works at CarMax and what to expect.

Financing

Wed, Jan 25, 2023

How to Trade In a Car: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking to trade in your car and want to learn about the process before shopping around? We've compiled useful advice from experts at Edmunds and CarMax to help you maximize your offer.

Financing

Mon, Jan 16, 2023

How to Finance a Car: Everything You Need to Know

We interviewed CarMax financing experts to give insight into everything from the importance of down payments to what it takes to get pre-qualified. Get rid of the confusion surrounding used car financing—and read on for answers.

Financing

Thu, Sep 29, 2022

6 Most Common Customer Appraisal Questions: Abstract | CarMax

6 Most Common Car Appraisal Questions

Thinking of selling your car? We want to make the experience as easy as possible. Here are the six most asked car appraisal questions to help you get started.

Financing

Thu, Dec 9, 2021