Check the car deal before you sign.
Standard equipment
- Red-pen review of every line on the deal
- Padded payment detector
- Interest rate markup check
- Add-on and fee audit
- A script to push back with
No sign-up. The numbers you type never leave your browser.
Buyer's order, customer copy
Your deal, marked up
Copy the numbers from the buyer's order, the worksheet or the text the salesperson sent. The review updates as you type.
Room to push back
Where your money goes
Notes in the margin
Underwater check
Car value is a rough estimate using typical depreciation (about 20% the first year, then about 15% a year).
Same loan, different lengths
What to say to the dealer
Walk in with your own rate. A pre-approval gives the dealer a number to beat.
Compare ratesLeftover Planner may earn a commission from partners, at no cost to you. It never changes your review.
What they say on the lot
Six lines you'll probably hear, and what they mean. Tap a card to flip it.
Before you go
Tick them off as you go. Ten minutes of prep changes who's in control of the conversation.
Questions
Is the car deal checker really free?
Yes. No account, no sign-up. We may earn a commission if you use a partner link, such as comparing loan rates. That never changes your review.
Do you see the numbers I type in?
No. Everything is worked out in your browser and nothing is sent to us. Your browser may remember your deal on this device so you don't lose it.
Why is my payment different from the dealer's?
Small gaps come from rounding, how your state taxes things, or fees we don't know about. A gap of more than a few dollars a month is worth asking about.
Can I remove add-ons after I sign?
Often yes. Many service contracts and GAP policies can be canceled for a prorated refund. Look for the cancellation section of your contract.
Can I deduct my car loan interest?
Maybe, for 2025 through 2028. If you finance a new car, SUV, pickup, van or motorcycle for personal use and its final assembly was in the U.S., you may be able to deduct up to $10,000 of loan interest a year on your federal return, even if you don't itemize. The deduction gets smaller once income passes $100,000 (single) or $200,000 (married filing jointly). Used cars and leases don't count. The window sticker lists the final assembly point.
Is this financial advice?
No. This checker does the math and points out common things to ask about. Taxes and fees vary by state, and every deal is different.
Buying a car soon?
Short car-buying emails: what to say, what to skip, when to walk. About two a month. Unsubscribe anytime.