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It’s tempting to buy a new car right now since some brand-new models are available for less than $20k. Electric vehicles are also becoming more affordable, while second-hand cars make a good option as long as you know a few things to look out for when buying a used car. However, for first-time buyers out there, they need to be wary of making hasty decisions at the dealership, so they can spare themselves from financial troubles.

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It is common for buyers to only check the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle they are buying. Unbeknownst to first-time buyers, the actual cost of purchasing a car is much higher than what’s plastered on the deal signs outside the dealership and written on the brochures. The out-the-door price is a term that refers to the total amount a buyer must pay to drive the car off the lot. It does not only give the value of the vehicle, but also covers all other expenses that will be incurred from purchasing it. 

At some dealerships, they refer to out-the-door cost as the TTL for tax, title, and license — the non-negotiables in car ownership. Either way, knowing the out-the-door price is an important step when buying a car as it gives buyers a clearer picture of the financial commitment required by the deal before signing any paperwork.

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The MSRP is the starting point for most vehicle negotiations. Like what its name suggests, it is the market value of a car as determined by the manufacturer. It does not include the additional costs of buying or, technically speaking, owning a car. As such, while the MSRP gives buyers a baseline for comparison, it does not reflect the actual amount they will be spending to own the vehicle.

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In contrast, the out-the-door price is the final amount a buyer pays to own the car. This means it already covers the MSRP, plus all the additional charges, such as taxes, dealer fees, and vehicle registration. Optional add-ons, like extended warranties and protection packages, can also be part of the out-the-door price. So for example, if a car has an MSRP of $25,000, the out-of-the-door price could be around $28,000 or more after all fees and charges are accounted for. To avoid surprises when it’s time to sign the deal, buyers should request for a breakdown of the out-of-the-door price.

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The out-the-door price is determined by adding up all the costs associated with purchasing the vehicle beyond just the sticker price or MSRP. However, these costs vary depending on the dealership and location, so the out-the-door price for a specific car model would most likely be pricier at a dealership in New York than at a store in Tennessee.

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One of the biggest factors affecting the out-the-door price is sales tax, as this tends to vary per state. Some states charge as little as 3% sales tax, while others can exceed 7%. Hence, a higher tax can significantly increase the total cost of a car. But it’s not just car purchases that are taxed. Even winning a car may be more trouble than it is worth because of taxes. Additionally, title and registration fees imposed by the state are also included in the total cost, and these too can vary based on factors such as the vehicle’s weight, value, and whether it’s a new or used purchase. 

Dealership fees also contribute to the out-the-door price of cars. These can include documentation fees, dealer preparation fees, advertising fees, processing fees, and so on. However, some of these charges are negotiable, so buyers should ask for a detailed breakdown and challenge unnecessary or inflated costs. Furthermore, getting quotations from several dealerships can help with the negotiations since dealers are eager to match or beat rival offers.

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While it’s more practical to buy a car in cash, not everyone has the luxury of spending a huge amount of money in one go. Most car buyers rely on financing to obtain the vehicle they want, which affects the out-the-door price. The principal loan amount is typically based on the agreed-upon out-the-door price at a dealership. Since interest rates and loan terms can significantly affect the overall cost of the car, they are usually accounted for during the computation for the out-the-door price. A longer loan term yields a higher interest rate, resulting in buyers having to pay thousands of dollars more over time.

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First-time car buyers can easily get tricked by dealers when discussing the financing terms. They would present a seemingly reasonable monthly payment by lengthening the entire loan term, thereby concealing the incurred increases in interest rates and other fees over time. To get the upper hand, be sure to read the fine print and take time to analyze the breakdown of the costs. If possible, get a pre-approval for a loan so the dealership can tweak its offer.

Having a good credit score can be a major factor in securing a pre-approved auto loan. A higher score also generally translates to lower loan interest rates because the financing company will view the client as a low-risk borrower. Using credit-building apps on Android and iPhone can hasten the process of achieving a high credit score for a better outcome on a car purchase.

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