 TITLE: Buying a Car: How Much Can You Afford? CONTENT: How to Calculate Total Costs\n----------------------------\nWhen you start shopping for your next car, it's important to look at more than just the sticker price. If you live in a state that charges sales tax, for instance, expect that to add to the total cost of purchasing the vehicle.\nAlso, consider documentation fees, title and registration fees, and other expenses the dealer tacks on to the contract amount. If you choose to add a warranty or maintenance contract, that's also going to affect whether you can afford the car.\nYou don't have to pay these costs out of pocket—in general, dealers will roll them into the car loan along with the sales price of the car. But they will increase your monthly payment.\nIn addition to necessary taxes and fees associated with a car purchase, you'll also need to think about the cost of car insurance, annual car registration, ongoing maintenance and repairs, fuel and other related expenses that go along with owning a car. END