Free car affordability calculator for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County shoppers. Enter a monthly budget, down payment, and any APR quote to see the realistic vehicle price band at 24, 36, 48, and 60 months and the total interest difference between short and long loans. Estimates only — never a quote or approval. Built by Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales, a mechanic-owned dealership. Call (954) 793-1761.

Free buyer tool

Affordability Reality Check

A monthly payment can hide a lot. Enter your budget and down payment, and see what a car really costs at 24 versus 60 months — before anyone quotes you anything.

Run the NumbersMatch Me With a Car
No signup required Your inputs, real math Never a quote or approval
$0
Cost to use
4
Loan terms compared
24mo
Shortest term shown
100%
Your own inputs
FLAS
Mechanic-owned
The calculator

What your budget really buys.

What you can comfortably pay per month — after rent, insurance, and gas.

Cash you can put down today.

Pre-filled with a common subprime example rate. Your real rate depends on your application — plug in any lender quote to compare.

24-month loan
$7,620
Max vehicle price at $350/mo · about $1,780 total interest on the financed amount.
36-month loan
$9,921
Max vehicle price at $350/mo · about $3,679 total interest on the financed amount.
48-month loan
$11,736
Max vehicle price at $350/mo · about $6,064 total interest on the financed amount.
60-month loan
$13,166
Max vehicle price at $350/mo · about $8,834 total interest on the financed amount.
The 60-month math, honestly: stretching the same $7,620 car from 24 to 60 months at 24% APR costs roughly $3,026more in interest — and you stay underwater on an aging used car far longer. A longer term isn't wrong for everyone, but the lower payment is never free. These figures are estimates from your inputs, not a quote, an offer, or an approval — final terms always come from your actual application.
See real cars that fit this budgetAlready have a quote? Run the Deal Checker
Why this matters

The long-loan trap, explained.

Payments hide totals

A lower monthly number can mean a longer term, a higher rate, or extra fees. Two loans with the same payment can differ by thousands in total cost.

Interest compounds with time

Every extra month you owe is another month of interest on the balance. The same car financed twice as long costs far more than twice as much interest.

Underwater years

Used cars keep aging while a long loan barely touches principal early on. That gap between what you owe and what the car is worth is where repossession stories start.

Shorter when it fits

If a shorter term fits your budget, you own the title sooner and pay less overall. If it doesn't, know exactly what the longer term costs — then decide with open eyes.

“A car loan should end while the car still has plenty of life left. Run the math before anyone runs your credit — the numbers don't care how good the pitch sounds.”
— Omari Grant, Owner & ASE-Certified Mechanic
Questions

Affordability, answered.

Know your number? Find the car.

Match your budget against the cars actually on our lot, or start a no-commitment application and get real terms.

Match Me With a CarGet Pre-Approved(954) 793-1761