The out-the-door price,
simply.

The out-the-door price is the total you pay to drive the car home: the car's price, plus the dealer's paperwork fee, any extras, sales tax, and state title and registration fees. It's the only number worth comparing between dealers.

What's inside it

• Car price. What the dealer sells the car for. Can be below or above the sticker.
• Paperwork (doc) fee. Some states cap it. Ohio's cap is $398 in 2026.
• Extras. Paint protection, tint, nitrogen in the tyres, "market adjustment". Usually optional. Ask for them off.
• Sales tax. Usually based on where you live.
• Title and registration. Set by your state.

Get it yourself, free

1. Pick the exact car: year, model, version and must-haves.
2. On each dealer's own website, find the internet sales email or contact form.
3. Send the email below to 5 to 10 dealers.
4. Compare the all-in totals. Ignore monthly payments.

Hello, I'm buying a [year make model version] this month and comparing written quotes. Could you email me an itemised out-the-door price for one in stock: selling price, doc fee, each add-on, tax, and title and registration, with the VIN? I'm paying [cash / with my own loan] and have no trade-in. Thank you, [name]

Short on time? DealerDuel does all of this for $49, then makes the dealers compete once.

Updated 14 October 2026.