Car buying guides
Everything we've learned from negotiating with dealerships, written down so you can pay less for your next used car.
Free out-the-door price calculator
Enter a car price and your state to estimate sales tax, doc fee, title and registration — and the real total you'd pay to drive away.
Free "is this a good deal?" checker
Enter a car's year, mileage and asking price to see its fair value, a deal grade, and what to offer.
How to negotiate a used car price with a dealer
A step-by-step script for getting a lower out-the-door price, including what to say by email.
Used car dealer fees explained (and which ones to refuse)
Doc fees, prep fees, VIN etching, and other add-ons — what's legitimate and what's negotiable.
The best time to buy a car
Month, quarter, and day-of-week timing that gives buyers the most leverage at a dealership.
Out-the-door price: how to calculate it and ask for it
What an OTD quote includes, how to estimate it from a listing, and how to request it in writing.
5 car dealer email templates that get a lower price
Copy-paste emails for quotes, counters, competing offers, and refusing dealer add-ons.
How to find the best used car deal near you
Radius, filters, and aging-inventory tactics that surface the listings with real negotiating room.
3 numbers to negotiate at a dealership: price, trade-in, rate
Why dealers juggle three numbers at once, and how to settle the car price, trade-in, and financing rate separately so you actually pay less.