PENCILPROOF GUIDES
Understand the written deal before you sign.
Use these plain-language guides to identify the numbers, ask focused questions, and compare what changed without relying on the monthly payment alone.
How to review a car dealer quote
Check the written price, financing, trade, fees, products, and payment.
Read guide →PAYMENTWhy is my car payment different?
Trace changes in price, APR, term, fees, products, cash, and trade.
Read guide →TERMWhy can a longer term cost more?
See how a smaller payment can mean more estimated total interest.
Read guide →CONTRACTAmount financed vs. total of payments
Understand the balance borrowed and the scheduled repayment total.
Read guide →BUDGETCan I afford this car payment?
Build a full ownership-cost checklist around the written payment.
Read guide →CHECKLISTBefore you sign a car quote
Print a line-by-line worksheet for the written deal.
Read guide →FINANCINGWhy is amount financed higher than price?
Rebuild the balance from selling price to the final amount financed.
Read guide →TRADENegative equity explained
See how payoff and trade allowance can affect the new financing.
Read guide →PRODUCTSGAP, service contracts, and add-ons
Review each optional product separately before deciding.
Read guide →FEESCar dealer fees and add-ons
Separate government charges, dealer fees, and optional products.
Read guide →WORKSHEETHow to read a dealer worksheet
Find the figures that create the balance and payment.
Read guide →COMPAREHow to compare dealer quotes
Put competing written offers on the same basis.
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