Out-the-Door Price Calculator

The out-the-door price is the single total you actually pay to drive away — vehicle price plus sales tax, title, registration, the dealer documentation fee and any add-ons, minus your trade-in and rebates. It is not the monthly payment and not the MSRP. Always negotiate this number, never the payment.

What goes into an out-the-door price

Vehicle price — the agreed selling price of the car. Negotiable.
Dealer add-ons — paint protection, nitrogen tires, VIN etching, pinstriping. Negotiable, and most can be refused.
Documentation fee — the dealer's paperwork charge. Capped in some states, unregulated in others.
Sales tax — your combined state and local rate on the taxable amount. Not negotiable.
Title & registration — state charges for the title, plates and registration. Not negotiable.
Trade-in credit — subtracted from the total, and in most states from the taxable amount too.
Rebates & incentives — manufacturer cash back you qualify for.

How to calculate the out-the-door price

Start with the negotiated vehicle price, add dealer add-ons and the documentation fee, subtract your trade-in value and any rebates, apply your combined state and local sales tax rate to the taxable amount, then add title and registration. The result is your out-the-door price.

Why negotiate out-the-door instead of monthly payment

Negotiating a monthly payment lets a dealer hit your target by stretching the loan term or raising the interest rate while keeping the price high. Lock the out-the-door total first, then discuss financing.