Can You Really Afford That Car With a RM6,000 Salary?
In Malaysia, car ownership is often seen as a milestone, but for many, it becomes a long-term financial burden. With a monthly salary of RM6,000, you might assume you can comfortably afford a flashy car. But can you, really?
This guide will show you the maximum car price you can realistically afford in 2025, based on financial rules, real monthly costs, and painful buyer regrets.
Your RM6,000 Salary After Deductions (2025)
| Income Type | Amount (RM) |
|---|---|
| Gross Monthly Salary | RM6,000 |
| EPF (11%) | –RM660 |
| SOCSO + EIS (approx.) | –RM30 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | ~RM5,310 |
This is your actual spending power, what you have left every month for housing, food, transport, savings, and debt.
How Much Car Can You Afford: The 3 Golden Rules
- 20/4/10 Rule
- 20% down payment
- 4-year max loan
- Monthly car payment < 10% of net income
- For RM5,310/month take-home: RM530/month max car repayment
- Malaysian DSR Benchmark (Debt-Service Ratio)
- Banks prefer DSR below 40% (all loans combined)
- If you have no housing loan, you can stretch up to 30% for a car loan = RM1,590/month max
- Bare-Minimum Rule (if you want no financial pressure)
- Car loan should not exceed RM400–RM600/month
- This lets you save, invest, and still handle emergencies
Loan Scenarios: What’s Your Monthly Commitment?
| Car Price | Downpayment (10%) | Loan Amount | 5-Year Loan @ 3.1% | 9-Year Loan @ 3.6% |
| RM30,000 | RM3,000 | RM27,000 | ~RM484/month | ~RM310/month |
| RM50,000 | RM5,000 | RM45,000 | ~RM806/month | ~RM517/month |
| RM70,000 | RM7,000 | RM63,000 | ~RM1,128/month | ~RM724/month |
| RM100,000 | RM10,000 | RM90,000 | ~RM1,610/month | ~RM1,034/month |
Warning: Stretching your loan to 9 years reduces monthly payments but nearly doubles your total interest cost.
Real-World Ownership Costs in Malaysia (2025)
Owning a car isn’t just about loan payments. Here’s what you’ll really spend:
| Item | Estimated Monthly Cost (RM) |
| Loan Repayment | RM500 – RM1,600 |
| Petrol | RM250 – RM400 |
| Insurance | RM100 – RM300 |
| Maintenance | RM100 – RM200 |
| Road Tax | RM20 – RM80 |
| Parking + Toll | RM100 – RM200 |
| Total | RM1,070 – RM2,780 |
With Regret vs Without Regret: What’s the Difference?
With Regret
- RM100k car (e.g., HR-V, Civic, X50)
- 9-year loan = ~RM1,000+/month
- Insurance, maintenance, high petrol
- Delayed home ownership, no savings buffer
Without Regret
- RM30k–RM60k car (e.g., Axia, Bezza, Myvi, City)
- 5-7 year loan = RM400–RM800/month
- Fuel-efficient, low maintenance, better cash flow
- More savings, less stress
Realistic Car Options Based on Your Salary (2025)
| Price Bracket | Example Cars (2025) | Verdict |
| < RM30k | Used Axia, Viva, Saga | Most affordable, great for savings |
| RM30k–RM50k | Axia AV, Bezza, Proton Saga Premium | Smart choice, reliable daily use |
| RM50k–RM70k | Myvi AV, Alza, Persona, Iriz | Mid-range comfort, careful planning |
| RM70k–RM100k | City, Vios, X50 Standard | Risky if no other debts |
| > RM100k | HR-V, Civic, X70, foreign makes | High commitment, lifestyle pressure |
Sample Budget: RM6,000 Salary, RM70k Car
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (RM) |
| Car Loan (9 yrs) | ~RM724 |
| Petrol + Parking + Toll | ~RM400 |
| Insurance + Road Tax | ~RM150 |
| Food & Groceries | ~RM1,000 |
| Rent + Utilities | ~RM1,200 |
| Savings + Emergency | ~RM800 |
| Lifestyle/Other | ~RM1,000 |
| Total | ~RM5,274 |
| Leftover Buffer | ~RM726 |
Notice how tight the budget gets with a RM70k car. Push it to RM100k and you’re one job loss away from financial stress.
Common Regrets of Overbuying Cars
- High monthly payments limit lifestyle choices
- Can’t save for emergencies or house
- Struggle with yearly insurance renewal
- Difficult to sell due to high loan balance
- Emotional stress when unexpected costs arise
Final Thoughts: What’s the Most You Should Spend?
If you earn RM6,000/month:
- RM30k–RM60k cars are your sweet spot
- RM70k is possible, but only if you have no other commitments
- RM100k+ cars are likely to cause future regrets
Always plan with room for savings, emergencies, and future goals.
Next Steps:
- Use our RinggitWise Car Affordability Calculator below to see the maximum car price you can afford.
Car Affordability Calculator (Malaysia 2025)
For more realistic money guides and brutally honest breakdowns, visit RinggitWise.my
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any major purchase decisions.
