How to Get an Out-the-Door Price by Email

Short answer: Pick the exact vehicle, email several dealers asking for an itemized out-the-door (OTD) price (selling price, every dealer fee, any add-ons, tax, title and registration), compare the totals side by side, and check the final paperwork against the written quote before you sign.

The out-the-door price is the total you pay to drive away. It's the one number that makes offers comparable, because it includes everything: the vehicle, the dealer's fees, any add-ons, and the government charges. Asking for it in writing, by email, means you can compare dealers without spending a day in showrooms.

What the out-the-door price includes

An itemized OTD quote should show:

1. Selling price of the vehicle
2. Dealer fees, each by name (for example, a documentation or "doc" fee)
3. Add-ons or packages already on the car or added to the deal
4. Sales tax (or your state's equivalent vehicle tax)
5. Title and registration fees
6. Trade-in credit, if any, shown as its own line
7. The final total

Government charges (tax, title, registration) are set by your state and depend on where you live. Dealer charges (selling price, doc fee, add-ons) are set by the dealer. That's where comparison and negotiation happen.

Step 1: Pick the exact vehicle

Dealers can only quote a real price on a specific car. Decide on the year, make, model, and trim, plus any must-have options. For a used car, or a specific new car on a dealer's site, note the stock number or VIN so every dealer is quoting the same thing.

If you're flexible on color or a minor option, say so. It can widen the pool of cars dealers can quote.

Step 2: Contact several dealers

Use each dealer's internet sales email or website contact form. Contacting several dealers is what makes this work. One quote tells you very little, while three or four show you what's normal.

Some people use a separate email address just for car shopping. That keeps your main inbox clean and lets you stop the follow-ups easily once you've bought.

Step 3: Keep the message short

A brief, polite message that says you're ready to buy and want an itemized total usually gets a clearer reply than a long one. For example:

Subject: Itemized OTD quote – [Year Make Model Trim]

Hi, I'm planning to buy a [year make model trim] in the next couple of weeks. Could you send your best itemized out-the-door price, including selling price, all dealer fees, any installed add-ons, tax, and title/registration for [city/county, state]? I'm comparing written quotes from a few dealers. Email is the best way to reach me. Thanks, [First name]

Include your city or county. Tax and registration depend on where the car will be registered.

Step 4: Compare totals, not payments

Put every quote side by side and compare the out-the-door totals. A monthly payment depends on the loan length, interest rate, and down payment. Two very different prices can produce similar payments, so payments are a poor way to compare offers.

Look line by line, too. If one dealer has a fee or add-on the others don't, ask what it is and whether it's required. Our free OTD calculator can help you sanity-check a quote.

Step 5: Follow up on unclear replies

Common replies, and simple responses:

• "When can you come in?" "Happy to, once we've agreed on a written out-the-door price. Could you send the itemized numbers?"
• A single number with no breakdown. "Thanks! Could you itemize this so I can see each fee and any add-ons?"
• "What payment are you looking for?" "I'm comparing out-the-door totals first. We can talk financing after."
• No reply. Move on to dealers who answer by email.

Step 6: Confirm before signing

When you pick a dealer, bring the written quote. Before signing, check the buyer's order (and finance contract, if financing) against it:

• Same vehicle and VIN
• Same selling price
• Same fees, with nothing new added
• No add-ons you didn't agree to
• Same out-the-door total

If something changed, ask about it before you sign. Unsigned paperwork can still be fixed. Signed paperwork is much harder to undo.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Asking for "your best price" without saying "out-the-door." You may get a vehicle price that leaves out fees.
• Comparing quotes with different vehicles or trims. Make sure the VIN or exact spec matches.
• Mixing the trade-in into the price talk. Agree on the purchase price first, then the trade-in, so one doesn't mask the other.
• Assuming the quote is final. Confirm it's still valid and the car is still available before you go in.

FAQ

What is an out-the-door price?

It's the total you pay to drive the car away: the selling price, dealer fees, any add-ons, sales tax, and title and registration, minus any trade-in credit.

Will dealers give an out-the-door price by email?

Many will, especially through their internet sales departments. Some prefer to get you on the phone or in the showroom. Politely asking for an itemized written total, and favoring the dealers who provide one, usually works.

Why should the quote be itemized?

A single total can hide fees or add-ons. Line items let you see what each charge is, compare dealers fairly, and ask whether a specific charge is required.

Does the out-the-door price include tax?

It should. Tax, title, and registration depend on where the car will be registered, so give the dealer your city or county when you ask.

Is an emailed quote binding?

Treat it as a written offer that you confirm before signing. Check the final paperwork against it line by line, and ask about any difference before you sign.

Updated October 19, 2026