Your purchase details
Start with the figures you know. Adjust any estimate.
Your lease details
Use the numbers on your dealer's lease worksheet when available.
Same loan, different terms.
See how extending the loan affects your payment and total interest.
Common car-payment terms
Plain-English answers for first-time and experienced buyers.
What does APR mean?
APR stands for annual percentage rate. It describes the yearly borrowing cost used to estimate your loan payment. Your actual lender offer may differ.
What is trade-in equity?
Equity is what the dealer offers for your current vehicle minus what you still owe. If you owe more than it is worth, that is called negative equity.
Why does a longer loan cost more?
A longer term usually makes each payment smaller, but interest can add up over more months. Compare the total interest as well as the payment.
What is a lease residual value?
The residual is the expected end-of-lease value used in a lease calculation. It is not the same thing as a guaranteed trade-in price.