True Cost Calculator

Out-the-Door Calculator

The sticker price is never what you pay. See your true total — taxes, fees, trade-in, and financing — before you walk into the dealership.

Vehicle Price

The price you agreed on — before fees and taxes

$

Sets sales tax rate and doc fee average

Fees

Enter your state to auto-fill

$

Any other fees you can't remove

$

Sales tax and registration are calculated automatically. Only add fees you actually can't avoid. Use the Fee Decoder to challenge junk fees first.

Trade-In (Optional)

What the dealer offers for your car

$

Remaining balance on your current loan

$

Cash you're putting down at signing

$
Your True Cost

Enter a vehicle price to see your breakdown

Pro Tips

1.

Always negotiate the OTD price, not the monthly payment.

2.

Get pre-approved financing before visiting the dealer.

3.

Trade-in reduces your taxable amount in most states — negotiate it separately.

4.

The doc fee is the dealer's profit. Push back on anything above your state average.

Welcome to Deal Defender!

You're about to have the most powerful tool in the room the next time you walk into a dealership. Let us show you around — it only takes 60 seconds.

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