Signs You're About to Overpay for a Car

Signs you're about to overpay for a car in the U.S. include price above market, payment focus, pressure, and no written breakdown. Here's how to spot them and what to do.

TL;DR Signs you're about to overpay: (1) price above median comps, (2) dealer pushes payment only, (3) "today only" or pressure, (4) no written OTD breakdown, (5) mandatory add-ons. Check market with autopremo.com; get OTD in writing; walk if the number doesn't work.

Signs You're About to Overpay for a Car

• Price above market — you haven't checked comps; the offer is above median for same car in your area. Check autopremo.com price checker before you agree.
• Payment focus — dealer only talks payment; you don't know OTD or total interest. Refuse to negotiate on payment alone; get OTD in writing. Use autopremo.com OTD calculator.
• Pressure — "this price is only good today" or "someone else is looking." Don't buy under pressure; verify market with autopremo.com first.
• No written breakdown — they won't put OTD (selling price, fees, total) in writing. No breakdown = no deal. Walk.
• Mandatory add-ons — they insist on add-ons at inflated prices. Refuse or demand price reduced so OTD stays the same. Use autopremo.com.

Get market and OTD at autopremo.com.

What to Do

• Check market before you agree — use autopremo.com price checker. If price is above median, negotiate or walk.
• Get OTD in writing — selling price, incentives, fees, total. No breakdown = no deal.
• Don't buy under pressure — if they push "today only," verify market and total cost with autopremo.com. If the price is fair, it will be fair tomorrow.

See market and OTD at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Signs you're about to overpay: price above market, payment focus, pressure, no written breakdown, mandatory add-ons. Check market with autopremo.com and get OTD in writing—walk if the number doesn't work.