Free printable kit · 18 pages
Buy Your Next Car Without Overpaying
Know the real out-the-door price, the right loan and the yearly cost before you sign
- 2026 new and used prices, loan rates and payments, all sourced
- Every out-the-door line item, plus dealer add-ons to refuse
- First-year budgets for a used compact, compact SUV and pickup
- Out-the-door calculator to compare 3 dealer quotes line by line
- A 3-month buying timeline, inspection checklist and dealer questions
- Red flags like yo-yo financing and title washing, plus ways to save
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What is inside
3 Cost tables1 Sample budget page2 Worksheets1 Timeline1 Checklist1 Page of questions to ask1 Page of red flags1 Page of ways to save2 Comparisons1 Glossary27 named sources
- 3Cost tablesWhat cars and car loans cost in 2026
- 4Cost tablesThe out-the-door price, line by line
- 5Cost tablesYearly cost to own: by vehicle type, gas vs EV
- 6Sample budgetsFirst-year cost: three real-life buys
- 7WorksheetsOut-the-door price calculator: 3 dealer quotes
- 8WorksheetsMonthly car budget
- 9TimelineBuying timeline: 3 months out to year one
- 10ChecklistsUsed car inspection and signing checklist
- 11Questions to askQuestions for the dealer and the seller
- 12Red flagsRed flags and car buying scams
- 13Ways to saveMoney-saving moves
- 14ComparisonsNew vs used vs certified pre-owned
- 15ComparisonsBuy vs lease
- 16GlossaryCar buying terms in plain English
Every number in the kit comes from a named source, listed with its date on the last page. General information only, not professional advice.
Read the full guides
CarsWhat Is the True Cost of Owning a Car in 2026?The true cost of owning a car is $12,863 a year for a new vehicle in 2026, per AAA, or about $1,072 a month. See the breakdown by expense and vehicle type.
CarsElectric vs Gas Car Cost in 2026: Which Is Cheaper to Own?Electric vs gas car cost in 2026: an EV compact SUV costs about $11,888 a year to own vs $11,656 for gas, per AAA. See fuel, insurance and depreciation.
TravelCalculatorHow Much Does a Road Trip Cost in 2026?Road trip cost calculator for 2026: gas at $4.28 a gallon, hotels near $162 a night and food per person. See sample trips and estimate your own total.