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Real monthly cost
Payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance are combined into one number you can budget around.
INDEPENDENT CAR-BUYING MATH
Read the deal before you sign it.
Break a dealer quote into selling price, fees, add-ons, trade equity and financing, then compare the car's full monthly cost with your budget.
FreeNo account required
PrivateNo dealer lead form
PracticalBuilt around buyer-order math
BUYER COST SHEETEXAMPLE
$34,995 vehicle
Loan payment$617 / mo
Insurance$186 / mo
Fuel$143 / mo
Maintenance reserve$75 / mo
Estimated monthly ownership$1,021
Uses the same inputs available in the calculator below.
RUN THE NUMBERS
Can you actually afford this car?
Change any number and your results update instantly.
QUICK ESTIMATE
~30 secStart with just 5 things.
You can fine-tune taxes, insurance and driving costs later.
Loan term
Using estimates for$186/mo insurance · 1,000 mi/mo · 25 MPG · 6.5% tax
How we calculate this →Advanced detailsTrade-in, taxes, insurance, bills & driving costs⌄
Purchase details
Monthly budget
Driving assumptions
LOAN COMPARISON
See what stretching the loan really costs.
Same car, same APR, same down payment — only the term changes.
WHAT IF?
Three ways to make this deal cheaper.
Preview the impact, then apply a scenario to your calculator.
$2,000 lower price$43 less / month
$431 less interest
$2,000 more down$40 less / month
$405 less interest
APR 2 points lower$31 less / month
$1,853 less interest
FULL BUYER REPORT
Before you spend thousands, get the full picture.
The free calculator handles the monthly math. Premium Buyer Reports help you inspect, finance and negotiate the actual purchase, with options for one car, three cars, or a full 30-day shopping window.
From $7.99single, 3-pack, or 30-day pass
YOUR BUYER REPORT🔒 PREVIEW
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48 / 60 / 72 / 84-month financing breakdown
LOCKED✓
$1K / $2K / $3K negotiation scenarios
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Dealer fee & out-the-door checklist
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Vehicle-specific inspection checklist
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Recall and safety-data summary
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Questions to ask before signing
LOCKEDWHY THIS IS DIFFERENT
A payment calculator only tells you half the story.
02
Income impact
See how much of your take-home pay the vehicle consumes after your existing bills.
03
Long-term cost
Compare loan terms, total interest and five-year ownership cost before committing.
TOOLS & GUIDES
Start with the question you are actually asking.
Focused calculators for payments, ownership cost, affordability and loan-term comparisons. Every tool can feed into the full calculator.
DEAL CHECK
Is this a good car deal?
Audit the selling price, fees, add-ons, trade and financing before you sign.
Check the dealDEALER FEESWhich fees should I question?
Separate government charges, dealer-controlled fees and optional products.
Check the feesAPR CHECKIs the dealer APR costing me more?
Compare two loan rates using the same amount financed and term.
Compare the APRVIN & SAFETYWhat does NHTSA show for this car?
Decode the VIN and review model-level recalls and complaint context.
Check the VINUSED CARWhat should I inspect before buying?
Use an interactive walkaround and road-test scorecard before money changes hands.
Open the checklistAFFORDABILITYHow much car can I afford?
Compare a car's real monthly cost with your take-home pay.
Open guidePAYMENTCar payment calculator
Change price, APR, down payment and term without filling out a long form.
Open toolOWNERSHIPTrue cost calculator
See payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance together.
Open toolFINANCING60 vs 72 months
See how a lower payment can change the total interest bill.
Compare termsDOWN PAYMENTHow much should I put down?
Compare cash down with the resulting loan payment and interest.
Compare down paymentsOUT-THE-DOORPayment with taxes & fees
See how costs above the sticker price change the financed amount.
Calculate the real dealNEGATIVE EQUITYUpside-down trade calculator
See exactly what an old loan balance adds to the next deal.
Calculate negative equityTRADE-INTrade-in payment calculator
Use trade value and payoff together to find the real equity.
Calculate the tradeORIGINAL DATA2026 Car Affordability Index
Compare standardized costs across vehicle prices, incomes and APRs.
Explore the index