MSRP vs Invoice Price: What a New Car Really Costs the Dealer
The sticker, the invoice, the holdback and the incentives: four numbers that decide how much room there is in a new car deal.
Category: Prices & New Models
What new and used cars cost, price changes by automakers, new model pricing and what tariffs do to the sticker.
How Car Model Years Work and Why the Build Date Matters
A 2027 car can be built in early 2026. The model year sets resale value and most deals, while the build date can decide whether a recall applies.
Why Chinese Cars Like BYD Are Not Sold in the US
There is no single law banning Chinese car brands, but tariffs and a national security rule on connected-car software add up to one. Here is how each piece works and what has changed in 2026.
KBB vs Edmunds vs J.D. Power: Why Car Values Differ
Three respected guides can put three different prices on the same car. Knowing what each number means is more useful than picking the highest one.
How Tariffs Affect Car Prices: Rates, Parts and Who Pays
Section 232 tariffs on vehicles and parts have been in place since spring 2025. Sticker prices moved less than expected; repair costs moved more.
Car Destination Fee: What It Is and Why You Cannot Negotiate It
Destination charges on new cars now run from about $1,200 to nearly $2,900 depending on brand and size. The fee is fixed, but the dealer's own add-ons next to it are not.
Car Sales Tax by State: Rates, Trade-In Credit and Local Taxes
The tax on a car depends on where you register it, not where you buy it. Here is each state's rate as of November 2026 and how trade-ins change the bill.
Average New Car Price: What Buyers Pay by Segment and for EVs
The industry average sits just under its record, but most buyers pay far less or far more depending on the segment they shop.
Car Rebates and Incentives: How Cash, APR and Lease Deals Work
Manufacturer incentives can cut thousands from a new car, but each comes with rules on who qualifies and what it combines with. Here is how the main types work and how to compare them.
Dealer Market Adjustment and Forced Add-Ons: Your Rights
Markups above sticker are usually legal, but hidden fees and add-ons sold as mandatory can break federal and state law. What the rules say as of November 2026.