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Deal Check Calculator

Before you say yes, check the deal

👉 A lower rate doesn’t always mean you save money.

Quickly estimate your real amount financed and monthly payment — using the same steps used inside the dealership.

Why Most Buyers Miss This

👉 The payment is just the final number — not the deal.

A car deal is built step-by-step:

  • Price
  • Taxes & fees
  • Trade value and payoff
  • Rebates and cash down
  • Financing

Most buyers only see the payment at the end.

This tool walks you through the same process — so you can understand what’s really driving the numbers.

Follow each step below to build your deal and see how every number affects your payment.

AutoShoppingIQ • Deal Check Tool

Deal Check Calculator

Before you say yes, check the deal. Walk through price, taxes, fees, trade, cash down, and financing to estimate your real amount financed and monthly payment.

1

Start with the vehicle price

Use the selling price you are being offered, then subtract any dealer discount.

$
$
Adjusted selling price $0
2

Add taxes and fees

Taxes and fees increase the total cost before rebates or cash down are applied.

%
$
Estimated out-the-door price $0
3

Apply rebate, trade, and cash down

Your trade can lower the loan, but a payoff can reduce equity or add negative equity.

$
$
$
$
Net trade equity $0
Amount after rebate, trade, and cash $0
4

Estimate the payment

Rate and term turn the amount financed into an estimated monthly payment.

%
mo
Estimated payment $0

Your Deal Check

This gives you a quick estimate of what you may really be financing before you agree to the deal.

Estimated monthly payment
$0
Based on your current deal inputs.
Amount financed
$0
Out-the-door price
$0
Net trade equity
$0
Finance charge
$0
Update the deal inputs to see what changes.
Deal breakdown
Adjusted selling price $0
Estimated tax $0
Fees $0
Trade tax savings $0
Rebate $0
Cash down $0
Trade equity $0
Amount financed $0
*Estimate only. Actual taxes, fees, lender terms, rates, approvals, and payments may vary. Trade tax savings depend on state rules and deal structure.

How to Use This Calculator

Start with the Price

Enter the vehicle price and any discount.

Add Taxes & Fees

Include your local tax rate and estimated dealer fees.

Apply Trade, Rebate, and Cash Down

See how equity (or negative equity) changes your loan.

Estimate Your Payment

Enter a rate and term to see your monthly payment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is “amount financed”?
This is the total amount you are borrowing after taxes, fees, rebates, trade equity, and cash down are applied.

Why does my trade payoff matter?
If you owe more than your trade is worth, that negative equity is added to your new loan — increasing your payment.

What is trade tax savings?
In many states, your trade-in value reduces the taxable amount of the new vehicle.
This can lower your sales tax and overall cost.

Why does my payment change so much?
Your payment is mainly driven by:

  • Amount financed
  • Loan term
  • Interest rate

Small changes in any of these can make a big difference.

 

Is this exactly what the dealer will show?
This is an estimate based on standard calculations.
Actual numbers may vary slightly depending on lender programs, exact fees, and state rules.

 

Want to go deeper?

Want to go deeper?