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What your car really costs

The payment is just the start. Know the whole cost.

Plain-English guides to buying, financing and running a car: how much car you can afford, what dealer fees mean, getting a loan before you shop, and the insurance, fuel and maintenance that come after.

Find the true cost Decode dealer fees

A $28,000 car, a month$877

  • Loan payment, 60 months at 7.5%$527
  • Insurance$150
  • Fuel$140
  • Maintenance and repairs$60

Interest over 5 years$5,316

An illustrative example with $4,000 down, 6% sales tax and $600 in fees. Your rates and costs will differ.

Start with one of these

CalculatorTrue car costPayment, interest and running costs. GuideDealer feesRequired, negotiable or optional. ChecklistCar CostSixteen steps to spend less.

15 car cost guides

Buying

Auto loans

Running costs

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The Car Cost Workbook

Check what you can afford, write down the out-the-door price line by line, compare loan offers, log maintenance and track a year of car costs.

Get the free PDFSee the Car Cost checklist

Coming soon

Buy your next car with a plan

Car Buying Confidence Course: seven short lessons on budgeting for a car, getting preapproved, reading a deal sheet, saying no to add-ons and negotiating the out-the-door price.

$19 once, for the whole course. 30-day refund.

See the lessons