Out the Door Car Payment Calculator
Calculate your true monthly car payment including taxes, dealer fees, and trade-in value — so there are no surprises when you sit down at the dealership.
Your Deal Details
Get pre-approved before you shop
Knowing your rate gives you real negotiating power at the dealership.
What Is the Out the Door Price?
The OTD price is what you actually pay — vehicle price plus sales tax, title, license, and dealer documentation fees. Dealers often advertise the vehicle price only. Always ask for the full OTD price before negotiating.
Pro tip: negotiate the vehicle price first, then discuss financing. Focusing on the monthly payment lets dealers hide costs in a longer loan term.
Real-World Car Payment Examples
Example 1: $35,000 SUV with 8.25% Sales Tax, 6.5% APR, 60-Month Loan
A $35,000 SUV with $3,000 down, $35,000 x 8.25% = $2,888 in sales tax, and $500 in dealer fees gives an out the door price of $38,388. After the $3,000 down payment, you finance $35,388 at 6.5% for 60 months. Your monthly payment is $690/month, total interest paid is $6,012, and total cost of the vehicle is $41,400.
Example 2: Same Car — 48 Months vs. 72 Months
On that same $35,388 financed at 6.5%, choosing a 48-month term gives a $840/month payment and $4,733 in interest. Stretching to 72 months drops payments to $590/month but costs $7,348 in interest — $2,615 more in total. The longer term feels affordable monthly but costs significantly more overall, and the car may need repairs before it is paid off.
Example 3: The Trade-In Difference on a $28,000 Used Car
Buying a $28,000 used car at 7% for 60 months with no trade-in means financing $28,000 and paying $554/month. If you have a trade-in worth $6,000, you finance only $22,000 and pay $436/month — a savings of $118/month and $7,080 over the loan term. Always get your trade-in appraised at CarMax or KBB before visiting the dealership.
Example 4: Pre-Approval Saves Money — The Rate Difference
On a $30,000 auto loan for 60 months, the difference between 5% (bank pre-approval rate) and 7% (dealer markup) is significant. At 5% you pay $566/month and $3,968 in interest. At 7% you pay $594/month and $5,640 in interest. Getting pre-approved saves $28/month and $1,672 in total — a 10-minute task worth thousands of dollars.