Out the Door Price Calculator
Calculate the total cost of purchasing a vehicle with all fees
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the vehicle's price
- Enter your local sales tax rate as a percentage
- Add documentation fees (doc fees)
- Add registration and title fees
- Add any dealer fees or add-ons
- Enter your trade-in value if applicable
- Enter your down payment if applicable
- Click calculate to see the out the door price
What is Out the Door Price?
Out the door price (OTD price) is the total amount you'll pay to drive a vehicle off the dealer's lot. It includes the vehicle's purchase price plus all taxes, fees, and charges minus any trade-in value or down payment. This is the final number you need to know before completing your purchase.
Unlike the advertised price or MSRP, the out the door price reflects the actual cash or financing you'll need to take ownership of the vehicle. Understanding this total cost helps you budget accurately and compare offers from different dealers.
What's Included in Out the Door Price
- Vehicle Purchase Price: The agreed-upon price before taxes and fees
- Sales Tax: Percentage-based tax on the purchase (varies by state/locality)
- Documentation Fee: Dealer charge for processing paperwork (usually $100-$500)
- Registration Fee: State fee for registering the vehicle
- Title Fee: Cost to transfer the vehicle title to your name
- Dealer Fees: Various dealer add-ons or prep fees
- Less Trade-In Value: Credit for your old vehicle
- Less Down Payment: Upfront cash you're putting toward the purchase
Common Fees to Watch For
Be aware of these fees when calculating your out the door price:
- Documentation/Doc Fee: Ranges from $100-$500, sometimes negotiable
- Registration/Title Fees: Set by state, typically $50-$300
- Dealer Prep Fee: Charge for cleaning and preparing vehicle, often negotiable
- Advertising Fee: Controversial fee for dealer marketing, sometimes negotiable
- Destination Charge: Manufacturer fee for shipping, usually not negotiable
- VIN Etching: Anti-theft service, usually overpriced and negotiable
- Extended Warranty: Optional coverage, highly negotiable
- Gap Insurance: Covers loan balance if car is totaled, shop around for better rates
Tips for Getting the Best Out the Door Price
- Get out the door quotes from multiple dealers to compare total costs
- Ask for an itemized breakdown of all fees and charges
- Research your state's typical fees to identify excessive charges
- Negotiate the total out the door price, not just monthly payments
- Question every fee—many are negotiable or unnecessary
- Get trade-in offers from multiple sources (CarMax, Carvana, dealers)
- Be prepared to walk away if the fees seem unreasonable
- Review the final paperwork carefully before signing
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the out the door price higher than the advertised price?
- The advertised price typically shows only the vehicle's base price without taxes, registration, documentation fees, and dealer charges. Out the door price includes all of these additional costs to show the true total you'll pay.
- Can I negotiate the out the door price?
- Yes. While some fees like sales tax and government registration are fixed, many dealer fees and add-ons are negotiable. Focus on negotiating the total out the door price rather than just the vehicle price or monthly payment.
- What fees are negotiable when buying a car?
- Documentation fees, dealer prep fees, advertising fees, VIN etching, fabric protection, and extended warranties are often negotiable. Sales tax, registration fees, and destination charges set by the manufacturer are typically not negotiable.
- Should I finance sales tax and fees?
- It depends on your financial situation. Financing taxes and fees increases your loan amount and total interest paid, but preserves your cash for emergencies. If you have the cash available and the interest rate is high, paying these upfront may save money.