Dealers love “monthly payment” talk. You want the total: a written out-the-door (OTD) price that includes the vehicle, doc fee, gov taxes, and legitimate registration — nothing else.

What “OTD” really means

Included: vehicle price, doc fee, title/registration, sales tax.
Excluded unless you approve: add-ons (etch, LoJack, nitrogen, ceramic, “pro pack”), paint/fabric, window tint, VIN etch, dealer “protection”, market adjustments.

Tip: Ask for the OTD in writing with a line-item worksheet or buyer’s order. “About $X” is not OTD.

The 5-step OTD play

Pick 2–3 trims you’d actually buy (color/flex ok).
Email 4–6 dealers within reasonable distance.
Ask for a written OTD with a short deadline.
Compare side-by-side; ask follow-ups only by email.
Confirm your final OTD in writing before visiting.

Email templates (copy/paste)

New purchase — initial OTD request

Subject: Out-the-door quote for <year make model trim>

Hi <Name>,
I’m ready to buy within a week if the numbers are right. Please email a written out-the-door (OTD) quote for:
• <Year Make Model Trim> (preferred colors: <list>)
• No add-ons or accessories unless itemized and optional
• I can pick up by <date>

Please include price, doc fee, gov taxes, title/registration, and any dealer fees — with a VIN if available.
Best email reply works. Thanks!

Used/CPO — initial OTD request

Subject: Written OTD for <year/make/model> (VIN <VIN>)

Hi <Name>,
Please send a written out-the-door quote for the <year/make/model> (VIN <VIN>). No add-ons unless optional and itemized.
Include price, doc fee, gov taxes, title/registration, and any dealer charges. I’m comparing offers this week and can move quickly with the right numbers.
Thanks!

Lease — OTD & full lease math

Subject: Lease worksheet for <year make model trim>

Hi <Name>,
Please email a full lease worksheet for <trim> showing:
• MSRP, agreed price, incentives
• Money factor, residual, term, miles/year
• Acquisition/doc fees, gov taxes, registration
• Drive-off and monthly (before/after tax)
No add-ons unless optional & itemized. If you can provide this today, I’ll decide this week. Thanks!

Follow-up / “clean numbers only”

Thanks for the quote. To compare apples-to-apples, please confirm:
• No add-ons included by default (etch, LoJack, tint, nitrogen, “pro pack”, etc.)
• Line-item doc fee, taxes, title/registration
Please reply with a clean OTD in writing. I’m finalizing by <date>.

Common stall: “Come in and we’ll talk numbers.” Your reply: “Happy to visit once I have a written OTD. Email works best.”

Quick payment math checks

Finance: If monthly seems high, ask for amount financed, APR, and term. If the amount financed is above (agreed price + legit fees + tax), an add-on slipped in.
Lease: Ask for the money factor (MF) and residual. If MF is higher than the brand’s standard rate, you’re paying markup.
Trade-in: Get a written offer (CarMax/Carvana/local) so dealers compete on real numbers.

Red flags

“Market adjustment” without inventory explanation.
Mandatory add-ons you never asked for.
Worksheet that lists only “cash down” and “monthly” but no taxes/fees breakdown.
Refusal to send OTD unless you visit first.

Extras & next steps

Want a real example? Open our redacted before/after worksheet (click to view): OTD comparison example.

If you’d rather have a pro run the entire play for you — sourcing, OTDs, and negotiation — you can learn about our Concierge. Otherwise, copy the emails above and get that written OTD. You’ve got this.