What kind of car can I get for $200 a month?

Asked by: Ms. Dolores Tillman V  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (73 votes)

For around $200 a month, you can lease new compact cars like the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, or Subaru Impreza, often with good tech and safety features, or even some small SUVs like the Buick Encore GX, but these deals depend heavily on your location, credit, and down payment, with EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or VW ID.4 sometimes appearing on special offers. You'll likely find these deals on entry-level trims with manufacturer incentives, requiring upfront costs like a few thousand dollars for the first month, security deposit, and fees.

What car can you get for $200 a month?

You can find new cars for around $200 a month, primarily through leasing compact sedans or small SUVs like the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, or Chevy Trax, but deals often require significant upfront costs (thousands in down payment/fees) and loyalty offers, with popular models shifting to slightly higher payments in early 2026, such as the 2026 Kia Sportage at $219/mo or 2026 Honda Civic at $219/mo with down payments, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com). For true budget options, look for used cars or explore specific local promotions on models like the Nissan Juke, Hyundai i10, or Peugeot 208, as noted by Motorpoint and Autoweb.
 

What vehicle can you lease for $300 a month?

You can lease various cars for around $300/month in early 2026, including compact SUVs like the Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester/Crosstrek, Kia Seltos, sedans like the Honda Civic/HR-V, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla/Camry, Hyundai Elantra/Kona, and even some trucks like the Ford Ranger/Tacoma, often requiring down payments, but deals can be found with MSRPs in the low to mid-$20,000s, with EV options like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 also appearing. 

What's the cheapest car right now?

The cheapest new car on the market is generally considered the 2025 Nissan Versa, starting around $18,330, though its lowest-priced manual version was discontinued, making the automatic model around $20,130. Other very affordable options include the Hyundai Venue (around $21,550) and the Chevrolet Trax (around $21,795).
 

What car can you get for $300 per month?

You can find new cars for around $300/month, often through leasing deals on models like the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, or Toyota Corolla Cross, but these usually require significant down payments, while used cars (like Kia Forte, Chevy Malibu, Nissan Rogue, Toyota Camry) can be financed closer to that price point without large upfront costs, depending heavily on your credit, location, and current offers.
 

Trying to Buy a $32,000 Toyota Tacoma for $200 a Month

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What car can you get for $200 per month?

You can find new cars for around $200 a month, primarily through leasing compact sedans or small SUVs like the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, or Chevy Trax, but deals often require significant upfront costs (thousands in down payment/fees) and loyalty offers, with popular models shifting to slightly higher payments in early 2026, such as the 2026 Kia Sportage at $219/mo or 2026 Honda Civic at $219/mo with down payments, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com). For true budget options, look for used cars or explore specific local promotions on models like the Nissan Juke, Hyundai i10, or Peugeot 208, as noted by Motorpoint and Autoweb.
 

What is the cheapest car to pay monthly?

South Africa's cheapest cars

  • Suzuki S-Presson 1.0 GL manual. Purchase price: R169 900. Estimated monthly instalment: R3 130 per month.
  • Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA. Purchase price: R183 900. Estimated monthly instalment: R3 388 per month.
  • Toyota Vitz 1.0 X-Cite. Purchase price: R189 900. ...
  • Renault Kwid 1.0 Life.

What's the cheapest car I can buy in 2025?

The cheapest new car for 2025 is the 2025 Nissan Versa, starting around $18,330, offering great value as America's least expensive new vehicle. Close contenders under $25k include the Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul, Nissan Sentra, and Hyundai Elantra, with many small SUVs and sedans offering budget-friendly options.
 

What is the best low cost vehicle?

The best affordable vehicles for 2025-2026 often include reliable compacts like the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Kia Forte, with the Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Versa offering great value in subcompacts, while SUVs like the Nissan Kicks and Kia Soul provide SUV utility on a budget, often praised for features, safety, and low running costs.
 

Which car is best for a low budget?

The best low-price cars in early 2026 are often the Nissan Versa (most affordable sedan), Hyundai Venue (faux SUV feel, good tech), Chevrolet Trax (stylish, modern value), and Toyota Corolla (reliability champion). For maximum value, the Mitsubishi Mirage offers excellent fuel economy and warranty but less power, while the Kia Soul provides space and features for the price. Your best choice depends on prioritizing fuel efficiency, features, space, or brand reliability.
 

What car for 250 per month?

For around $250 a month, you're looking at leasing entry-level sedans, small SUVs, or even some EVs, with popular options including the Hyundai Kona/Ioniq, Honda HR-V, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Focus, often requiring a decent down payment and focusing on shorter terms (like 36 months) for the lowest monthly cost. Actual deals vary by location, current incentives, and your credit, so check sites like TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and U.S. News for current offers. 

Is it financially smart to lease a car?

Leasing a car is a good idea if you prioritize lower monthly payments, always want a new car with the latest tech, drive low annual mileage, and prefer predictable costs under warranty; however, buying is better if you want to build equity, drive long distances, customize your car, or keep it long-term, as leasing means paying for rapid depreciation and incurring fees for over-mileage or wear, ultimately costing more long-term if done back-to-back. 

Which is the cheapest brand new car to buy?

The cheapest brand new car to buy is typically the Nissan Versa, with the 2025 model starting around $18,000-$18,330 for the manual version, though an automatic pushes it over $20k; other budget-friendly options for 2025/2026 include the Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul, and Chevrolet Trax, all offering good features for their low price points. 

What's the cheapest car to lease in 2025?

The cheapest cars to lease in early 2025 often include the Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, Honda Accord, and Nissan Sentra, with deals sometimes starting around $209-$239/month for popular trims, but require upfront cash like $3,000-$4,000; other budget options include the Chevy Trax, Subaru Impreza, and VW Jetta, offering low monthly payments for compact SUVs and sedans with good features for the price, though deals fluctuate monthly. 

What credit score is needed to lease a car?

To lease a car, you generally need a good to excellent credit score (670+) for the best deals, but you can often lease with a fair (580-669) or even lower score, though you'll face higher costs, stricter terms, and might need a larger down payment or a co-signer. The ideal score for favorable terms (prime/super-prime) is often cited as 700 or above, while lower scores (near-prime, subprime) mean higher risk for lenders, resulting in less competitive rates. 

What is a realistic monthly car payment?

Car payment statistics

The average monthly car payment for new cars is $748, while used cars had a slightly lower payment of $532, according to Experian's quarterly State of the Automotive Finance Market report.

What is the cheapest new car I can buy right now?

The cheapest new cars for 2025/2026 generally include the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia K4, with starting prices often below $24,000, offering great value in compact sedans and small crossovers with standard tech and safety features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Hyundai Venue and Chevrolet Trax are popular budget SUVs, while the Versa and Elantra lead the sedan pack, but remember to factor in destination fees.
 

Is it better to lease or buy a cheap car?

Key takeaways. Leasing a car requires less money upfront and has lower payments, but there are typically mileage restrictions and additional costs. Buying can mean more expensive monthly payments and long-term maintenance costs, but you have greater control over its use and lower costs in the long run.

What kind of new car can I get for $25,000?

  • 2025 Nissan Kicks Play S. $22,149 MSRP $23,850 $1,000 price drop. ...
  • 2025 Kia K4 EX. $24,595. ...
  • 2025 Buick Envista Preferred FWD. $24,518. ...
  • 2025 Buick Envista Preferred. $24,984. ...
  • 2026 Buick Envista Preferred. $23,629 MSRP $25,995. ...
  • 2025 Buick Envista Preferred FWD. ...
  • 2025 Buick Envista Preferred FWD. ...
  • 2025 Buick Envista Preferred FWD.

What is a cheap reliable car to buy?

For cheap, reliable cars, focus on Japanese brands like Toyota (Corolla, Camry, Prius) and Honda (Civic, Accord, CR-V), known for longevity and low costs, with solid alternatives including Mazda (Mazda3, MX-5), Subaru (Impreza), and even budget-friendly Hyundai/Kia models like the Elantra, often found as dependable used options with simple, non-turbo engines.
 

What car is the poor man's Ferrari?

A "poor man's Ferrari" isn't one specific car, but a nickname for affordable sports cars that offer a similar exotic feel, often through mid-engine designs or sporty looks, with the Toyota MR2 (especially the SW20 generation) being the most classic example, alongside others like the Acura NSX, certain Maseratis, or even older models like the Volvo P1800. The term signifies an accessible alternative to true supercars, prioritizing performance and style over brand prestige, though some models deliver surprisingly well on driving dynamics and reliability. 

What is the most sold car in 2025?

Ford F-Series: 801,525 units sold

As expected, the Ford F-Series lineup of light-duty and heavy-duty trucks retained the crown of the bestselling vehicle in the United States in 2025, up 9 percent.

What car for $200 per month?

You can find new cars for around $200 a month, primarily through leasing compact sedans or small SUVs like the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, or Chevy Trax, but deals often require significant upfront costs (thousands in down payment/fees) and loyalty offers, with popular models shifting to slightly higher payments in early 2026, such as the 2026 Kia Sportage at $219/mo or 2026 Honda Civic at $219/mo with down payments, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com). For true budget options, look for used cars or explore specific local promotions on models like the Nissan Juke, Hyundai i10, or Peugeot 208, as noted by Motorpoint and Autoweb.
 

What kind of car can I get for $100 a month?

Finding a car for $100 a month is extremely challenging but possible, usually involving older used cars, specific lease deals with large down payments (like $99/month with thousands due at signing), or regional offers for budget models like the Nissan Versa or Kia Rio, with options varying greatly by location and market conditions. Most actual $100/month deals are short-term, require significant upfront costs, or apply to very basic vehicles, while many advertised prices quickly rise to $200-$300+ with typical terms, so focus on used car lots, local credit unions, and actively searching lease deals.
 

What cars can I lease for $300 a month?

You can lease various cars for around $300/month in early 2026, including compact SUVs like the Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester/Crosstrek, Kia Seltos, sedans like the Honda Civic/HR-V, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla/Camry, Hyundai Elantra/Kona, and even some trucks like the Ford Ranger/Tacoma, often requiring down payments, but deals can be found with MSRPs in the low to mid-$20,000s, with EV options like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 also appearing.