Financial
Compare dealer cash rebate plus standard APR against a promotional low- or zero-percent finance rate. Shows monthly payment, total paid, and which option saves more over the full term.
Dealer ads push cash back vs 0% APR as if one is always better. This calculator totals what you actually pay: financed amount after rebate, monthly payment at each rate, and sum of all payments plus down payment.
Buyers comparing F-150 rebates, EV federal credits stacked with dealer cash, or “$3,000 off OR 1.9% for 60 months” need the same number the finance manager sees — total out-of-pocket over the term you will keep the car.
A good outcome: you pick the structure that costs less for your term and tax situation, not the one with the louder banner. Tax-on-rebate rules vary by state; use your local tax base setting and verify with your DMV or CPA for large purchases.
Include trade equity in both scenarios the same way — negative equity rolled into the loan raises both totals equally but can flip which promo wins.
0% APR deals sometimes require shorter terms (36–48 months). If the promo term is shorter than your planned ownership, compare total cost at the same months, not just payment.
Manufacturer rebates may be taxable in some states when applied to price; others tax full price. Pick the tax mode that matches your state worksheet.
Financed ≈ (Price − Down − Trade − Rebate) × (1 + tax%)
Promo financed ≈ (Price − Down − Trade) × (1 + tax%)
Total cost = Down payment + sum of all monthly payments. Tax rules vary by state — use this as a worksheet, not a legal tax quote.
Financed amount with rebate: (price − down − trade − rebate) × (1 + tax%). Promo path: (price − down − trade) × (1 + tax%) without rebate.
Does not model lease-style money factor, balloon payments, or subsidized residuals — use the lease calculator for those structures.
On a $38,000 truck with $4,000 down, 7% tax, and 60 months, a $2,500 rebate at 6.5% bank APR is often compared to 0.9% captive without rebate. Total paid over 60 months — not just payment — decides the winner; shorter 0% promos change the math again.
Compare total dollars paid over the months you will keep the loan, not payment alone. A longer 0% term can cost more total than a rebate plus shorter bank loan.
Tax treatment of rebates varies — if your state taxes rebates, the cash-back column must include that. Subvented APR may require top credit tier you do not qualify for.
When you would keep a higher-rate loan long enough that interest saved exceeds the rebate — often on shorter terms with large rebates, run both scenarios here.
Sometimes, if the contract allows and rates drop — but your first loan may have been the only way to get the rebate. Model total cost with refinance fees.
You still pay the vehicle price; 0% means no finance charge on the principal if you qualify and complete the term.
Pair this calculator with these related tools in the garage — same session, no signup.