What is an out-the-door (OTD) price, and why does it matter so much?

The out-the-door price is the single number that actually leaves your bank account: selling price after rebates, plus sales tax, title and registration, the doc fee, and any dealer add-ons. Everything else is a distraction.

Dealerships are trained to keep your attention on the monthly payment instead, because a payment can be hit with a longer term, a higher rate, or fees buried in your trade. Lock the OTD price in writing first, always. After 25+ years inside dealerships, this is the one habit I want every buyer to have.