# Best car for college grad under $400/m \<$2k DAS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask the Hackrs\ **Tags:** ca-socal\ **Created:** [August 4, 2026, 6:05am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955 "2026-08-04T06:05:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChipDiamond](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/chipdiamond/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ChipDiamond](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ChipDiamond)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 6:05am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/1 "2026-08-04T06:05:23Z")
Helping a friend out so this is out of my scope of expertise. West Coast CA/NV. Light credit history: $8k Wells Fargo CC (4 years) $1k Amex (3 months) Experian: 728 (not auto fico, unknown) Female, age 24. First time buyer. Income: $2k a month Prefer EV if possible, but open. 4 door, nav, basic packaging. A) Can this customer get approved for a tier 1 lease? B) Ideas for particular cars/brands to be looking at? ---
**Author:** ![Leasehackr2](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/leasehackr2/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Leasehackr2](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Leasehackr2)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 8:44am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/2 "2026-08-04T08:44:36Z")
So many may not agree with this car, but for a data point Toyota has a national program on the Corolla for $279 down $279 a month plus taxes and fees for a 36/10 lease on the LE model. They also offer $500 rebate for recent college grads. You could probably do slightly better if you grind some dealers. I think you might have a good chance of approval of a recent grad since they offer this rebate. I offer this suggestion based on recent grad and income. It gets great mileage and is simple and cheap to maintain and should be problem free for the 3 years. As a recent grad, I would not want to get strapped by a new car. > **[Offer Details | Toyota.com](https://www.toyota.com/greaterny/deals-incentives/corolla_lease_5cfdc86a-266e-4e97-b827-06f9e37bc2be/?gad_campaignid=9117572048&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD9QGfQMP0tEYtJHkKWHoyCyUo9WT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm8bTBhDWARIsAC9Hi8nC0jlXSjTxDm2t2sDc-5BYdFprpk1_uBeiSCM6TaUqk-iAjkb-vTcaAuLsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&pdsrch=SEM:1182942886:GOOGLE:GOOGLE_NY_GNY_CL_NAMEPLATE_Corolla:92310440116:buy%20new%20toyota%20corolla:301579863088:814694060372&vehicles=corolla)** > > Discover the Toyota offer details that apply to your new Toyota vehicle. Whether you want to lease a Toyota or buy a new Toyota vehicle, these offer details can help you choose the approach that's right for you. ---
**Author:** ![Wtmeyer](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/wtmeyer/32/168356_2.png) [@Wtmeyer](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Wtmeyer)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/3 "2026-08-04T11:07:15Z")
Why does this person want or need to lease versus buy? Simply to keep the cost down? $400 a month for 60 months buys a vehicle in the $20K range. You should look at both options so your friend builds some equity over time. A 2024 Corolla fits into this category and will likely hold its value pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![zaimer](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/zaimer/32/209153_2.png) [@zaimer](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/zaimer)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/4 "2026-08-04T12:37:37Z")
> [@ChipDiamond](#): > > Income: $2k a month Helping my friend would consist of advising her to buy something with cash, or finance (reasonably). Considering a lease at over 25% of gross is on the wilder side, especially for the circumstances here. Finance a Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Mazda. ---
**Author:** ![AndreG](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/andreg/32/238000_2.png) [@AndreG](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/AndreG)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/5 "2026-08-04T13:20:48Z")
I second this - although a 24 Corolla may be too expensive for her. Get into a cheap used reliable vehicle. Finance to build a payment history and work hard to improve income. PS: not being judgmental, but getting into student debt to make 2k/month is wild… ---
**Author:** ![EC99](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ec99/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@EC99](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/EC99)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/6 "2026-08-04T15:05:07Z")
> [@AndreG](#): > > second this - although a 24 Corolla may be too expensive for her. > > Get into a cheap used reliable vehicle. > > Finance to build a payment history and work hard to improve income. The problem is reliable, affordable used cars dont really exist as they used to. For example, on CarMax ands Carvana, you are paying 75% of MSRP for a 2017 Corolla with 100K miles. That is a reliable car but even for a Corolla the chance of a serious mechanical issue exists is signifcant once you get over 100K miles. if your budget is $5K, you are stuck with a 10 year old Nissan Versa. But if you can swing a new base Corolla (or Hyundai Venue) you are going to do much better in total cost of ownership as well as risk mitigation with basically no chance of an uncovered catastrophic mechanical issue shortly after purchase. Alternatively, the absolute cheapest Hyundai or Nissan lease might also not be a bad option at $300 a month > [@AndreG](#): > > PS: not being judgmental, but getting into student debt to make 2k/month is wild… Assuming she is interning in entertainment industry or some related field. A full time worker in California earning minimum wage would earn almost $3,000 a month. ---
**Author:** ![ski\_bum](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ski_bum/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ski\_bum](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ski_bum)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/7 "2026-08-04T16:53:52Z")
Income $2K a month and she wants to spend $400 on a car lease? That’s insane. Add in gas and insurance and you’re talking 30-40% of income spent on a car. At that income level, you take the bus. If you absolutely do need a car, buy a 12 year old Corolla or something. Even at 100K miles those are very reliable. ---
**Author:** ![cruiserchuck](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/cruiserchuck/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@cruiserchuck](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/cruiserchuck)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/8 "2026-08-04T17:18:24Z")
> [@ski\_bum](#): > > At that income level, you take the bus. In many areas of So Cal, taking a bus is not really an option. ---
**Author:** ![paranoidgarliclover](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/paranoidgarliclover/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@paranoidgarliclover](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/paranoidgarliclover)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/9 "2026-08-04T17:21:28Z")
Just a few brief off topics… > [@AndreG](#): > > student debt I don’t see OP mentioning that friend had student debt, just that they were a (new) college grad. > [@EC99](#): > > interning in entertainment industry The entertainment industry (referring to film/TV) in CA (well, at least Los Angeles) has been decimated, from what I understand,. That’s had a huge (and devastating) impact on our restaurant industry (which I kind of follow). To get back onto the topic, I think Elantras have (had?) been leasing relatively well. OP, you or your friend might want to look at the pre-negotiated deals (“PND”) section to get a sense of what might be leasing well in her budget right now. I agree that stretching a bit for a brand-new car carries many advantages over buying a very old, used car. ---
**Author:** ![AndreG](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/andreg/32/238000_2.png) [@AndreG](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/AndreG)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/10 "2026-08-04T17:42:31Z")
> [@paranoidgarliclover](#): > > I don’t see OP mentioning that friend had student debt, just that they were a (new) college grad. That’s why I’m not judging this specific situation, but weighting on the fact that people might go into debt to get that kind of pay afterwards. As mentioned, it could be just the internship allowance. ---
**Author:** ![max\_g](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/max_g/32/9426_2.png) [@max\_g](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/max_g)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/11 "2026-08-05T21:34:27Z")
> [@EC99](#): > > if your budget is $5K An older Corolla with the 1.8 and not the 2.4 Even older ES330 can be found for 5k without crazy miles. One of Toyota’s most durable powertrains ever. ---
**Author:** ![ChipDiamond](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/chipdiamond/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ChipDiamond](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ChipDiamond)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 10:04am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/12 "2026-08-07T10:04:52Z")
Lives at home, no rent. Drove a versa until it blew up. Wants reliable and no headaches with repair worries. Mother will be putting down the drive offs as a gift. Doesnt have enough cash to pay $15k-20k for a used car outright. No student loan debt. ---
**Author:** ![BYGFEET](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/bygfeet/32/14026_2.png) [@BYGFEET](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/BYGFEET)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/13 "2026-08-07T17:23:41Z")
A Subaru Solterra could be had for less than $300/mo $3K DAS > [@gem\_stone PMI | Honda/Mazda/Subaru | Civic Hatchback $239+ • Prologue AWD $351+ • Mazda3 $215+ • CX-5 $315+ • $3k DAS](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/pmi-honda-mazda-subaru-civic-hatchback-239-prologue-awd-351-mazda3-215-cx-5-315-3k-das/612202/7#high_voltage-electric-19): > > gem_stone PMI AUGUST HONDA/MAZDA/SUBARU SPECIALS gem_stone1st_place_medal [Most Reviewed](https://g.co/kgs/MUb8qvU)camera_flash [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/platinummotorimports/?hl=en)money_with_wings [PMI Specials](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lJp8CvddZHpt4iDFJGXCSHxvUqzDtWOqvrgCla5145Y/edit?gid=967546373#gid=967546373)automobile [Sell Your Car](https://www.platinummotorsimports.com/sell-your-car) -CALIFORNIA -ALL PRICING IS NON-NEGOTIABLE (MILEAGE CAN BE ADJUSTED) -BROKER FEES ARE PAID IN ADVANCE, REFUNDABLE IF DECLINED -DRIVEOFFS ARE ADJUSTABLE ($0, TAX/TITLE + FIRST MONTH UP FRONT) -ALL DEALS LOCATED IN SOCAL -ALL MODELS AVAILABLE, MESSAGE US FOR ANY SPECIFIC INQUIRIES mobile_phone_with_arrow 949-7… ---
**Author:** ![DailyDriven](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/dailydriven/32/150479_2.png) [@DailyDriven](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/DailyDriven)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/14 "2026-08-07T17:29:46Z")
> [@ChipDiamond](#): > > West Coast CA/NV. CA/NV as in Tahoe? “West Coast CA/NV” covers a lot of ground and maybe AWD is needed? ---
**Author:** ![Jrouleau426](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jrouleau426/32/195763_2.png) [@Jrouleau426](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Jrouleau426)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/15 "2026-08-07T17:58:52Z")
I can do a Camry se under 400 with some nice options. Feel free to text. They get like 50mpg also which would save a lot in cali Jim 215-359-6836 ---
**Author:** ![ChipDiamond](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/chipdiamond/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ChipDiamond](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ChipDiamond)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/16 "2026-08-09T20:35:39Z")
no awd required ---
**Author:** ![spaceking](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/spaceking/32/242973_2.png) [@spaceking](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/spaceking)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/17 "2026-08-10T20:25:43Z")
2026 Mercedes gla250 with decent options (MSRP $45k+). You can get one with 24m/12k under $300 inc CA taxes with less than $2k DAS. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://leasehackr-assets.b-cdn.net/original/3X/f/7/f76e5433b417879e07ad6f0cee47e239c8f1cdd4.png) [@system](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/best-car-for-college-grad-under-400-m-2k-das/774955/18 "2026-10-09T20:26:27Z")
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