Adrian D. next to his 2021 Nissan Rogue — locked in a $405 monthly note. Photo taken by me at Serra Chevrolet in Bartlett, TN.

If you’re wondering how anyone is getting a $400 car note in 2025, I get it. It sounds impossible — especially with interest rates climbing and vehicle prices on the rise. But I promise you, this isn’t too good to be true.

It’s real. I know because I helped make it happen — back when I sold cars at Serra Chevrolet in Bartlett, Tennessee.

Real Customers. Real Results.

One of my favorite success stories is from a customer named Adrian D. He came in ready to trade in his Dodge Challenger, and we worked together to find him a 2021 Nissan Rogue with low miles, a full warranty, and a car note of just $405 a month.

Here’s what Adrian had to say:

“I went to Serra Chevrolet and found Kyterria. I wanted to trade my Challenger in — and I did just that. She found me a great 2021 Nissan Rogue with low miles, and I’m still driving it to this day. I’ve driven it to Nashville twice, and it’s my daily driver. Nothing has gone wrong with it. I love the experience, and yes — she was able to get me a car note with a warranty for $405 a month.”

What helped Adrian secure that low monthly note was positive equity in his current vehicle — he had the title, which counted as a strong down payment. Combine that with a solid finance team and dealership support, and we made the deal happen smoothly.

Two More $400 Car Note Success Stories

The BMW Customer
This customer had a Dodge Charger and was close to paying it off. That gave him a vehicle with strong positive equity, which lowered how much he needed to finance. I searched hard to find a BMW priced around $25,000–$30,000 that fit both his taste and budget. After nearly a month of back-and-forth, we finally got him in that vehicle — and yes, his car note came out to around $400/month. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

My Other Chevrolet Customer
This customer’s credit score was in the 400s. She had no trade-in, but she came in with $1,000 down. No cosigner. Limited income. Collections. I worked on her deal for three months straight.

What helped her was finding a 2018 Chevy vehicle that had been sitting on the lot for over 200 days. It was in excellent condition, had 15,000 miles, and was priced around $14,000. Once the general manager adjusted the price and our finance manager got to work, she drove away in that Spark with a manageable monthly note. It was a true win for someone with challenged credit.

So… What’s the Secret?

Getting a $400 car note in 2025 is still possible — but here’s what it really takes:

• Positive equity in the vehicle you’re trading

• A vehicle that you own with a clean title and strong positive equity

• A down payment if you don’t have a trade

• A vehicle priced around $14,000 or less if your credit is challenged

• A dealership willing to negotiate

• And most importantly: a salesperson who actually cares

With my two customers who financed vehicles priced around $25,000–$30,000, the positive equity from their trades lowered the out-the-door cost (the final amount being financed). That’s how we kept their car notes affordable — even with higher sticker prices.

And in the case of my customer with challenged credit, what made her deal work was choosing a lower-priced car with low miles, being patient, and trusting the process.

From the Car Lot to Credit Coaching

I’m not in car sales anymore — but I still help people get in position.

Now I run The Credit Repair Ministry, where I teach people how to rebuild their credit, understand their finances, and make smarter money moves. I answered the call on my life to serve. This isn’t just about deletions or disputes — this is about helping people get back on their feet, find stability, and experience freedom.

Everything I share — whether it’s free or paid — is to help you win. I’m proud of myself for stepping into my purpose, and I’m proud of you for even being here, trying to learn and grow. That means something.

Stay Connected — I Want to Hear From You

If this blog helped you, inspired you, or gave you a little more hope — email me.
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Let’s break these cycles — together.

Written by Kyterria Ivory
Creator of The Credit Repair Ministry. Former Car Sales Pro turned Credit Mentor, helping everyday people fix their credit and level up their life.