Financial experts consider a car expensive if the purchase price exceeds half your annual take-home pay or monthly ownership costs surpass 15-20%.

An illegally parked car violates traffic codes like parking near a fire hydrant, blocking a driveway, or double parking. Always check local signs.

An economy car is generally a small, lightweight vehicle designed for fuel efficiency and low purchase price.

Many states define an antique car as at least 25 years old. Some use 30 years. Insurers and clubs may set the threshold at 45 years.

An accident generally means any collision or event that damaged the vehicle, whether reported to insurance or not — disclosure requirements vary.

A modern car is generally defined as any vehicle from the 1996 model year onward that is OBDII-compatible, though features like fuel injection.

A minor car accident is generally considered a low-impact collision, typically at low speeds.

A lowball offer on a car is generally 20% to 25% or more below the asking price, though the threshold varies by condition, demand, and sale type.

A high car loan interest rate is generally one above the national average—about 6.37% for new cars and 11.26% for used cars as of late 2025.

A good car loan rate depends on your credit score. As of 2026, excellent credit (781+) averages 4.66% for new cars.