Buying
How to read a dealer quote without getting lost
Use the quote to compare total cost, not just the monthly payment.
On This Page
What the quote is actually showing
A dealer quote is useful when you read it as a cost sheet: vehicle price, add-ons, fees, rate, and total amount due. The monthly number is a result of those inputs, not the starting point.
Cash / total due
What you pay if you are not financing.
Financed quote
Same vehicle after term, rate, and add-ons.
Your next move
Ask for the same quote with add-ons removed. If the monthly number drops more than the add-on cost would suggest, the quote is mixing extras into the payment.
Sources
- NHTSA vehicle safety information · NHTSA
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