Cash Back or Low Interest

See which offer costs less over the life of the loan (same term for both scenarios).

Loan & offers

Typical financing when you take the rebate
Lower rate if you skip the rebate

How to decide between the two offers

Dealers often let you choose between an upfront cash rebate (applied toward the price, but financed at a standard APR) or a promotional low APR (with no rebate). This calculator finances the same term under both scenarios and compares the total amount paid, so you can see which offer actually costs less rather than relying on which one sounds better.

Frequently asked questions

Is the low-rate offer always the better deal? Not necessarily — it depends on the size of the rebate versus the APR difference. A large rebate can beat a low rate, especially over shorter loan terms, while a very low promotional rate often wins over longer terms.

Can I combine a rebate with the low rate? Usually not — manufacturers typically require choosing one incentive or the other, which is exactly the trade-off this calculator is designed to evaluate.

What if I plan to pay the loan off early? If you'll pay off the loan well before the term ends, the promotional low-rate benefit shrinks (since less interest accrues either way), which can tip the decision toward taking the cash rebate instead.