What Is an Auto Quote

An auto quote is the price a dealer might offer for a new or used vehicle. The car pricing a dealer offers changes a lot between different dealerships. It's best for a car shopper to understand some of the factors that go into an auto quote.

MSRP or Sticker Price

The MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) or sticker price is a kind of price control that is set by the manufacturer. It is not a hard and fast sale price, but just a kind of generic guideline.

Dealer Costs

The dealer will often factor costs into a car quote. These include the cost of buying from the auto maker as well as shipping and preparing the vehicle for sale. The dealer also factors in overhead in order to keep a profit margin.

Items in an Auto Quote

Dealers might factor in manufacturer rebates, warranties, financing or extra services into a final auto quote. This means the final quote may be either under or above MSRP. Talk to dealer reps about an itemized auto quote to see what is included and at what price.

Always consider the above when looking at a price quote from a dealer.