CarLoanCalc is a free, independent tool built to show the true cost of financing a vehicle — including sales tax, trade-in credit, and fees — before you sit down at a dealership finance desk.
The calculator takes the vehicle price, subtracts your trade-in and down payment, adds estimated sales tax (calculated on price minus trade-in, matching the rule used in most U.S. states) and any doc/title fees, then amortizes the resulting amount financed over your chosen term using the standard installment loan formula. The 2025 rate reference table is built from general market data (Experian's auto finance market reports), not a live quote from any lender or dealer.
This is an educational estimate, not a financing offer, loan pre-approval, or professional financial advice. Your actual rate and terms depend on your credit profile, the specific lender or dealer, your state's exact tax rules, and promotions that may be available at the time of purchase. Always get a real quote in writing, and compare bank/credit union pre-approval against the dealer's financing before signing anything.
CarLoanCalc is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any car dealership, manufacturer, bank, credit union, or state DMV. It's an independently built tool, supported by ads served through Google AdSense.