$70,000 car loan repayments.

At 7% indicative over 6 years with no deposit, a $70,000 car loan is roughly $276 a week, or near $1,195 a month. Five years pushes the weekly to about $317; seven years eases it to near $246. The actual figure depends on the rate the lender offers, any deposit or trade-in, and establishment and monthly fees. The calculator above shows the number for any combination of inputs.

Only where the trade-in is worth more than is owed on it. Rolling $5,000 of negative equity into a $70k loan means financing $75,000 against a $70,000 asset and starting 7% underwater on day one. Where the current car is fully owned and has real equity (say $8,000 to $12,000 clear), trading in and reducing the borrowed amount is usually the cleanest move. Where it is financed and underwater, paying it down first is the widely preferred pattern.

For a genuinely new premium-badged SUV, $70k is tight. New, it covers a Mercedes GLA, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest Sport, base Tesla Model Y, or base Kia EV6. A new BMW X3 or Audi Q5 typically sits north of $80k. Used, the bracket opens right up to X3 and Q5 2 to 4-year-old cars, plus the previous-gen Prado.

Ten to 20% ($7,000 to $14,000) is standard at this amount, and lenders commonly price a better indicative rate inside that band. A deposit has a reputation as the cheapest insurance against the 20 to 25% year-one depreciation on a new premium SUV or loaded ute. Going in with zero deposit at $70k typically leaves the balance underwater for the first 18 to 24 months of the loan.

Often yes, where the vehicle is used more than 50% for business. On a chattel mortgage, the GST component is typically reclaimable on purchase, the asset is depreciated on the business books, and interest is generally deductible as a business expense, subject to the accountant's confirmation. An operating lease may work better where the asset stays off the books entirely. It is an accountant conversation, not a blanket rule, but the tax difference over 5 to 7 years is often material at this amount.

On indicative NZ used-market trends, a $70,000 new premium SUV typically resales at $50,000 to $55,000 after 2 years. On a 7-year loan the balance typically sits at roughly $55,000 to $58,000 at that point, putting the borrower close to even or slightly underwater. Combine that with a $3,000 to $5,000 trade-in rollover and the first 24 months are often negative equity, which matters if the car is written off or an early sale is needed.