$1,000 Car Payments Are the New Normal (Edmunds Data)
Mon Feb 02 2026
What used to be a “big” car payment… is now normal.
In this episode, we break down the latest Edmunds Q4 2025 auto finance data, and it’s honestly shocking:
One in five new car buyers is now paying $1,000+ per month.
Not for a Ferrari.
Not for a Bentley.
For regular, mainstream cars.
And it gets worse…
The “affordable” option (used cars) isn’t even safe anymore.
So today we’re doing a deep dive into the numbers and pulling out 5 simple takeaways you can actually use—whether you’re buying a car this year, trying to avoid getting trapped in debt, or just wondering how the heck people are affording life right now.
Here’s what we cover:
Why $1,000/month payments just hit a record 20.3% of new buyers
The new average car payment: $772/month (yes, average)
The average amount financed on a new car: $43,759
Why down payments are dropping even as prices rise (dangerous sign)
The “last resort” affordability move: 84-month loans
Why this creates a ticking time bomb for the early 2030s
What Edmunds predicts for 2026: rate relief, off-lease supply, and price stabilization
This isn’t just car talk… it’s a full-on affordability crisis hiding in plain sight.
If you ever want to buy or sell a property anywhere in the world, our team would be honored to help get you to your next destination.
Until next time, stay curious, stay hungry, and as always…
stay ALL IN!
Amit Bhuta
COMPASS
ALL IN Miami Group
Licensed Real Estate Agent
(305) 439-3031 Mobile
amit.bhuta@compass.com
ALLinMiami.com
More
What used to be a “big” car payment… is now normal. In this episode, we break down the latest Edmunds Q4 2025 auto finance data, and it’s honestly shocking: One in five new car buyers is now paying $1,000+ per month. Not for a Ferrari. Not for a Bentley. For regular, mainstream cars. And it gets worse… The “affordable” option (used cars) isn’t even safe anymore. So today we’re doing a deep dive into the numbers and pulling out 5 simple takeaways you can actually use—whether you’re buying a car this year, trying to avoid getting trapped in debt, or just wondering how the heck people are affording life right now. Here’s what we cover: Why $1,000/month payments just hit a record 20.3% of new buyers The new average car payment: $772/month (yes, average) The average amount financed on a new car: $43,759 Why down payments are dropping even as prices rise (dangerous sign) The “last resort” affordability move: 84-month loans Why this creates a ticking time bomb for the early 2030s What Edmunds predicts for 2026: rate relief, off-lease supply, and price stabilization This isn’t just car talk… it’s a full-on affordability crisis hiding in plain sight. If you ever want to buy or sell a property anywhere in the world, our team would be honored to help get you to your next destination. Until next time, stay curious, stay hungry, and as always… stay ALL IN! Amit Bhuta COMPASS ALL IN Miami Group Licensed Real Estate Agent (305) 439-3031 Mobile amit.bhuta@compass.com ALLinMiami.com