I just dont follow how you're landing on a $500/month vehicle. A 2022 Hyundai Ascent is <$17k and they offer financing deals but even if you got a 4 year loan, zero down, at 6% that's $400/month, worst case.

So saying you are planning to buy new, and put money down, and pay $500/month just tells me you want more car than you can afford.

In three years you'll have a 3 year old car, paying for maintenance, and kicking yourself for still paying 500/month that is interfering with your ability to fund other financial goals and leisure. This is a lesson a lot of people learn the hard way, I'm just trying to help you learn it now.