Other Ways to Get a Car With No Money Down (U.S.)
“No money down” doesn’t always mean you pay $0 out of pocket. A lot of deals still require taxes, registration, doc fees, acquisition fees, and/or the first payment—they’re just not calling it a down payment.
Below are the most realistic “other ways” people get into a car without bringing cash for a down payment—and what to watch so you don’t get cooked on the back end.
1) “Sign-and-Drive” leasing (the closest thing to truly $0 upfront)
A $0-down lease usually means no “cap cost reduction” (down payment), but you may still owe drive-off fees at signing. A sign-and-drive lease often rolls more of those costs into the monthly payment—so you can leave with little to nothing due that day.
Just know the trade: rolling costs in can raise your payment, and you’re still paying those fees—just later.
2) Rent-to-buy programs (try the car first, then buy)
If you hate pressure and want a “test drive on steroids,” this is a solid play.
- Hertz Rent2Buy®: rent for up to 3 days, and the rental fee can be waived if you buy.
- Avis Car Sales “Ultimate Test Drive”: 2 hours free or up to 3 days at a reduced rate.
Best move: use that rental window to get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic before you commit.
3) Car subscriptions (no down payment, month-to-month flexibility)
If you want a car without a long loan or lease, subscriptions can be a workaround—usually a flat monthly fee, often with maintenance included.
- SIXT+ markets a monthly subscription with taxes & maintenance included and the ability to cancel monthly.
- Care by Volvo is a subscription-style program; terms and inclusions vary, but it’s positioned as bundled ownership-like driving (some plans include insurance; details depend on location/terms).
These can feel “$0 down,” but read the fine print for mileage caps, insurance rules, and fees.
4) Gig-driver rentals (Uber/Lyft) to get on the road fast
If the goal is “I need a car now to start earning,” rideshare rental programs can be a bridge.
- Uber highlights a Hertz partnership with flexibility and welcomes low credit applicants in some cases.
- Lyft’s Express Drive lets you rent through partners and notes program benefits like flexible terms; deposits can apply.
This isn’t ownership, but it can help you stabilize income before applying for financing.
5) “No cash down” by pre-qualifying and shopping smarter (soft pull first)
A sneaky way to keep money in your pocket is starting with pre-qualification (often a soft inquiry), so you don’t trigger a bunch of hard pulls while you’re still shopping.
- Capital One Auto Navigator: pre-qualify with no impact to your credit score (per their site).
- CarMax: pre-qualification uses soft inquiries (no score impact), then a hard inquiry happens only when you formally apply.
Then you can target vehicles where lenders are more likely to approve 100% financing (common models, strong resale).
6) Trade-in as your “down payment” (no cash, but watch negative equity)
If you have a trade-in, its value can function like a down payment—without you bringing cash. The danger is negative equity (owing more than the car is worth). Rolling that into the next deal can bury you fast.
If you’re upside down, be extra careful with long terms and “payment shopping.”
7) Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) / lease-to-own lots (works when credit is rough, costs more)
BHPH dealers finance you in-house, often targeting buyers with bad or no credit—but you typically pay more overall and the rules can be strict. Experian notes BHPH commonly comes with higher interest/costs than prime financing.
If you go this route, insist on the out-the-door price, full contract terms, and confirm whether they report payments to credit bureaus (if rebuilding credit matters to you).
Quick “don’t get trapped” checklist
- Ask for the out-the-door price (not just the monthly payment).
- Clarify what’s due at signing (fees, first payment, acquisition fee, registration).
- Be cautious with 84-month loans—they can cost more and increase the odds you’re upside down.
