Blog

Acura Financing Tips: Using the 20/4/10 Rule

Acura Financing Tips

Buying a new vehicle is exciting, but a smart budget keeps that excitement from turning into financial stress. One of the simplest ways to approach Acura financing is the 20/4/10 rule, a proven guideline that helps you borrow within your means. Learn what each number means with Priority Acura.

The 20 Percent Down Payment

Putting down at least 20 percent of the purchase price sets a strong financial foundation from the very first payment. A larger down payment lowers the amount you borrow, which reduces your monthly payment and the total interest you pay over time. It also helps you stay ahead of depreciation, protecting you from the risk of owing more than your vehicle is worth.

The 4-Year Loan Term

The 20/4/10 rule suggests financing your vehicle for no more than four years, or 48 months. Longer loan terms may lower your monthly payment, but they also increase the total interest you pay and keep you in debt far longer. A shorter term builds equity faster and helps you own your vehicle sooner, though too short a term can make your monthly payments unmanageable.

The 10 Percent Monthly Rule

Finally, keep your total monthly vehicle costs at or below 10 percent of your gross monthly income. This figure includes both your loan payment and other car-related expenses, such as insurance, fuel, and maintenance. Staying within this limit keeps your finances balanced and your ownership experience stress-free.

Start Your Acura Financing Journey in Chesapeake, VA

Following the 20/4/10 rule takes the guesswork out of buying your next vehicle and keeps your budget on solid ground. Our team makes Acura financing simple, walking you through every step so you can make a confident, informed decision. When you are ready to explore your options, the finance experts at Priority Acura are here to help you every mile of the way.

Recommended Posts

Acura service technician working under the hood

3 Signs You're Due for Acura Service

There’s nothing quite like driving a brand-new Acura vehicle. If you want yours to feel the same as the day you drove it off the lot, you have to keep up with Acura service. Priority Acura shares three warning signs that you’re due for a service appointment. Maintenance Minder Is On New Acura vehicles have a Maintenance Minder alert, which warns you when you’re due for service. This alert will show on your dashboard with an icon that resembles a wrench. There will also be a code that details what type of service you need. You could also get a display that says “Service Due Soon” or “Service Due Now” if your oil life gets dangerously low. Performance Issues Even if your alert isn’t on, you should still pay careful attention to your vehicle. You want to closely monitor your performance to check for any abnormalities or issues. If your vehicle struggles to accelerate, or you notice that your gas mileage is declining, you may need service. You should also watch for handling issues, such as vibrations or pulling to one side, even when you’re driving straight. Strange Sounds or Smells Strange sounds are another indicator you need service. For example, if you need a brake pad replacement, your brakes will squeal. If they’ve gone from squealing to grinding, you may need a rotor replacement. You also want to watch for odd smells, such as a burning smell, strong sulfur or rotten egg smell, or the sweet smell of a coolant leak. Schedule Acura Service in Chesapeake, VA A service visit doesn’t have to derail your day. We can get your vehicle quickly treated and get you back on the road in no time. Visit Priority Acura for Acura service today!

The 2026 Acura RDX on the road

Our Favorite Safety Features of the 2026 Acura RDX

There’s an unmistakable peace of mind that comes with driving the 2026 Acura RDX. It doesn’t just keep you protected when an accident occurs—its proactive safety features can even help you avoid a collision altogether. Priority Acura highlights our favorite safety features in the premium sport crossover. Collision Mitigation Braking System™ The 2026 Acura RDX comes equipped with AcuraWatch™, which is a suite of innovative safety and driver-assistance features. The suite includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™, an intuitive feature that alerts you when it detects an imminent frontal collision. It can also brake for you if it senses you won’t stop in time. Road Departure Mitigation System™ Road Departure Mitigation System™ is another feature found in the premium sport crossover. This feature will warn you if it detects that you’re unintentionally swerving from your lane. The system can gently correct your steering and brake if necessary to keep you safe. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow™ The Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow™ feature is both safe and convenient. The system can keep you at your preferred speed, which helps to limit driver fatigue. With the addition of Low-Speed Follow, it can also automatically stop for you if the vehicle ahead of you gets too close. Blind Spot Information System™ Changing lanes in busy traffic can be stressful. The Blind Spot Information System™ monitors the rear and sides of your vehicle, and when a vehicle is traveling in your blind spot, it displays a steady alert on the corresponding side mirror. If you activate your turn signal, it will flash, and you’ll get an audible alert. Explore the 2026 Acura RDX in Chesapeake, VA The road is extremely unpredictable, but the 2026 Acura RDX can help. We’d love to help you upgrade to one of your own. Stop by Priority Acura to get started today!

Stylized car made up of Acura parts

How to Order Acura Parts Through Our Website

When you need new Acura parts, you need the best. We carry a large selection of top-of-the-line parts at our dealership, so it’s always easy to get what you need. Priority Acura outlines how to conveniently order parts through our website. Access Our Online Portal To start, click the “Service & Parts” tab on our home page and choose “Parts Department” on the drop-down menu. Then, click the “Order Parts” tab. The button will take you to the DreamShop website where you can directly order Acura parts from our dealership. Looking Up Parts To find the parts you need, you can search by your vehicle's year, make, and model, or search by your vehicle identification number (VIN). You can also peruse through the catalogs of parts and accessories, if you prefer. Once you find the specific part you need, simply click “Add to Cart”. You’ll need to repeat this process for each part you need. Ordering Parts Once you’ve added all the parts you need to your cart, you’ll checkout. You can register to create a login or checkout as a guest. You’ll have to choose whether you want the parts shipped to you or our dealership. You can also opt to have them installed at our dealership, if you prefer. Once you enter your payment information, you can finalize the order. If you decided to have them shipped to our dealership (or installed by our technicians), we’ll reach out to you when your parts are ready or to schedule the installation. Order Acura Parts in Chesapeake, VA It’s easy to order Acura parts from our website anytime and have them shipped to you or installed at your convenience. If you need assistance, we’re happy to help. Get started with Priority Acura today!