When it comes to making a big auto purchase, research and planning is absolutely essential. After all, you don't want to jump into anything too quickly. Past mistakes have taught you that. So, while you're carefully weighing certain options, one thing is definite: You want to have a good down payment saved up. So what qualifies as a good down payment?

One of the questions we are commonly asked about here at Auto Credit Express is how much is needed for a down payment. If you do any sort of research into the subject, you will hear plenty of differing opinions. This is because when it comes to down payments, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal down payment will depend on several factors.

Many people choose to put their tax checks towards something vehicle related. If you're spending your tax refund on a car, make sure that you're thinking in terms of long term benefits.

Coming up with an ideal down payment requires some forward thinking. Your goal is to make the cash that you provide up front significant enough to save you money down the road.

It is possible to get approved for an auto loan with bad credit and no down payment. But it is normally not advised.

Having negative equity in a car can lead to a host of problems if you ever need to sell or trade in the vehicle. However, it can be avoided - or exposure to it can be reduced - with a down payment.

Are you an hourly UAW employee? If so, you should know that a profit-sharing check would make an excellent down payment on a brand new vehicle.

Depending on your credit score, you could be required to put down a down payment. But do you know how much you should expect to put forward, or why? We look into the process of putting money down when you purchase a vehicle.

Let's start by talking about what the typical down payment suggestions are for a new car. Some say 20%, while others say the average is closer to 12%. This means that for a vehicle in the $10,000 to $15,000 range, you will need to pony up anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 for a down payment on a car. When you're on a tight budget, coming up with this amount may prove problematic.

Having a down payment ready will always benefit you when you are buying a car, regardless of your financial history. However, when you are dealing with a tarnished credit background, it may not be worth your while to work with a traditional car dealer even if they can approve you for a down payment. You need to work with a dealer who has qualified experts in subprime auto finance.