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I’m Paying Cash for My Next Car. Here’s Where I’m Keeping the $25,000

Putting your savings in the right place before you buy could help you earn extra money.

By Roxana Loomes , Edited by Melinda Sineriz, ABFP®

Updated Oct. 29, 2026

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I've saved $25,000 for a car and keep it in a high-yield savings account. At an average of about 3.75%, it could earn roughly $78 a month while I wait to buy.
I ruled out checking, a CD, and investing because of low rates, locked-up cash, and the risk of a market downturn on buying day.
When I'm ready to buy, I'll move the money to checking about a week ahead and wire it to the dealer.
At the national average savings rate of 0.38% (as of 06/15/26), $20,000 earns $76 a year. The same balance could earn up to nine times more with a SoFi Checking and Savings account. See SoFi®'s current rate.

I set aside $25,000 for my next car. Instead of sitting in checking, it's in a high-yield savings account with a variable rate. I'm counting on it averaging about 3.75% over the two years I plan to keep it there, which works out to roughly $78 a month in interest. I hope to buy in December 2027. I've also mapped out how I'll get it to the dealer. For me, skipping a loan was an easy call.

Why I'm paying cash

The short version: I don't want a monthly payment.

The long version: For my current car, I was locked into a car loan for close to seven years. By the time I paid it off, I had paid thousands of dollars in interest on top of the car's price. While my car was losing value, the total I'd paid for it kept climbing. Never again.

Paying cash also makes the car mine the day I buy it. I won't have a lender on the title or a payment that follows me for years.

Where I'm keeping the money and what it's earning

The $25,000 is in a high-yield savings account (HYSA). The rate is variable. It started at 4.1% for the first six months and has moved between 3.5% and 3.75% since then. At an average of 3.75%, the fund earns about $937.50 per year, or roughly $78 per month.

Those are rounded figures, assuming I don't touch the balance and the rate stays near that average. If rates drop before I buy, I'll earn less.

Here's how that compares with what financing the same $25,000 would cost:

	Cash fund in HYSA	Financing
Rate	~3.75% (expected average, variable)	7.54% (60-month average)
First year	~$937.50 earned	~$1,700 in interest (payments of $501 a month)
Total interest	~$1,910 earned over 2 years	~$5,100 paid over 5 years

The financing numbers are estimates. Federal Reserve data puts the average rate on a 60-month new-car loan at commercial banks at 7.54% as of August 2026. The table assumes a $25,000 loan at that rate for 60 months. Your own rate would depend on your credit and lender.

We did the research for you. Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. SoFi® was our 2026 award winner for Best Checking and Savings Combo because it delivers on interest and additional features. For example, you could earn up to 4.40% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit. (3.30% APY¹ with +1.10% APY Boost) for up to 6 months on new accounts.² SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at: No account fees: No overdraft fees.³ No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees.⁴ Get paid up to two days early: Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier — automatically — when you set up direct deposit.⁵ Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M: Typically, single-member deposit accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. With SoFi, FDIC insurance up to $3 million on deposits is available through a seamless network of participating banks.⁶

Open an account with SoFi here.

What I ruled out

Checking: The easiest and worst place to leave the money. Many checking accounts pay little or no interest.
A certificate of deposit (CD): It could pay a decent rate, but it locks the money up for a set term. If I find the right car early, I wouldn't want to pay an early withdrawal penalty to use my own money. If I'm still shopping when the CD matures, I'd have to decide what to do next anyway.
Investing the money: Tempting, since the market could outpace a savings rate over a long stretch. Still, if stocks are down the month I want to buy, I couldn't wait for them to recover. I'd rather earn a smaller, steady return than risk coming up short at the dealership.

My plan for buying day

Instead of figuring out how to move $25,000 while I'm standing in a dealership, I'll move it to checking about a week before I expect to buy. My account doesn't limit how many transfers I make, but it can cap how much moves in a single day, and transfers usually take one to two business days. A week gives me room to split it up if I need to.

I plan to pay the dealer by wire transfer. Before I send it, I'll call the dealer to confirm the wire instructions and check what my bank charges for a wire.

Your money is already saved. Now see how it could be earning you hundreds per year.

Bottom line

I have $25,000 set aside for a car I plan to buy in December 2027. Until then, it sits in a high-yield savings account averaging about 3.75%, or roughly $78 a month, and I can move it to checking when I'm ready. I won't pay a lender any interest, and I won't carry a payment for years.

Saving for a purchase with a rough date? Don't leave the money in checking. Put it somewhere it can earn, and plan how you'll move it before buying day.

FAQs

Is it better to pay cash for a car or finance it?

It depends on your situation. Paying cash avoids interest, which could run to thousands of dollars on a typical loan. Financing could make sense if the rate is low or if paying cash would drain your emergency fund. Whatever you decide, keep your emergency savings separate from your car money.

Where should I keep money I'm saving for a car?

A high-yield savings account could be a good fit when you want your money to earn interest while staying easy to access. FDIC insurance covers deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each ownership category. Compare rates, check daily transfer limits, and find out whether the rate is a limited-time promo.

How do you pay cash for a car at a dealership?

People usually use a wire transfer, a cashier's check, or a bank draft. Call the dealer ahead of time to ask which payment methods they accept and whether they limit large payments. Confirm any wire details by phone before you send money.

Would You Spend Ten Minutes for $1,465?

That's roughly the year's difference on $40,000 between the national average and the up-to-4.00% rates available now. And ten minutes isn't a figure of speech. You just provide some information, like your name, address, Social Security number, and the account your deposit money's coming from. But rates are variable and follow the market, which is why the only number worth acting on is today's. Compare the current top accounts here.

Bank/Institution	APY Annual Percentage Yield	Bonus Offer	Open Account	Bonus Offer
AWARD WINNER Best Checking and Savings Combo
5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.	4.40 % APY With $0 min. balance² <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>	Limited-Time Offer: +1.10% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts² <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $400 Bonus with direct deposit.¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.	Learn More on SoFi's secure website Member FDIC	Limited-Time Offer: +1.10% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts² <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $400 Bonus with direct deposit.¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.

Limited-Time Offer

2026 AWARD WINNER Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking and Savings

5.0

Open Account on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

APY

4.40%

Minimum Balance for APY

Bonus Offer

Up to $400

Why We Like It

Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 cash bonus¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. plus a boosted up to 4.40% APY² Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on Savings (3.30% APY¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. with +1.10% APY Boost) for up to 6 months when you open a new account and set up eligible direct deposits. Terms apply.
No account, overdraft, or monthly fees.⁴ We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.
Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit.⁵ Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million.⁶ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.
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