Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Buying your first car is exciting, and it comes with a lot of questions. This guide walks through the steps in order, with the California specifics that matter: what taxes and fees to expect, what insurance you need, and the new three-day right to cancel a used-car purchase that took effect on October 1, 2026.
Our team at Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is here to answer questions at every step, with no pressure.
Start with the whole monthly cost of owning a car, not only the payment. Add the loan payment, insurance, fuel, routine maintenance, and registration, and make sure the total fits your budget with room to spare.
When you compare loans, look at the total cost, not just the monthly payment. The Federal Trade Commission says to ask for the total price with financing, the APR, the finance charge, and the number and amount of the payments. A longer term lowers the payment, but at the same rate it usually raises the total you pay.
Try our payment calculator to see how price, down payment, and loan length change a payment.
You don't need perfect credit to buy a car, but your credit affects the loan terms you're offered. If you're new to credit, a lender may look at your income, your down payment, and whether a cosigner is involved. A cosigner is legally responsible for the loan if the main borrower doesn't pay.
Financing is subject to approval and credit review.
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| New | Includes the manufacturer's warranty and the latest features. California does not provide a cooling-off period for new vehicles, so test drive before you sign. Browse new vehicles. |
| Used | Usually a lower price. California's three-day right to cancel applies to used vehicles sold for $50,000 or less. Ask for a vehicle history report. Browse used vehicles or vehicles priced under $20,000. |
| Certified pre-owned | Used vehicles that have been inspected and come with additional manufacturer-backed coverage. Terms vary by program, so see our certified pre-owned page for current details. |
We sell Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Think about how you'll use the vehicle, such as commuting, hauling, or weekend trips, then let our team help you compare models that fit your budget.
Under the California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act (SB 766), which took effect on October 1, 2026, a dealer can't sell or lease a used vehicle at retail for $50,000 or less without giving you a three-day right to cancel. It replaces the older two-day contract cancellation option that buyers had to pay for.
Think of it as a safety net, not a trial period. If you may want to use it, keep the mileage low, keep your paperwork, and ask us how to cancel before you drive away.
Sources: SB 766 bill text and the California DMV's Car Buyer's Bill of Rights page, checked October 2, 2026.
Plan for these charges in addition to the vehicle price. Ask for an itemized quote so you can see each one.
| Charge | Who sets it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | State and local | 7.25% in Auburn (Placer County). Vehicle tax follows the address where the vehicle will be registered, so check your rate with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration if you live elsewhere. |
| Dealer document processing charge | The dealership, capped by law | Up to $85 for dealers with a DMV private-industry-partner agreement, or $70 for others. It isn't a government fee. [AUBURN CDJR'S CHARGE: confirm.] |
| Registration fee | DMV | $76 |
| California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee | DMV | $34 |
| Transportation Improvement Fee | DMV | $33 to $231 by vehicle value, for example $132 for a vehicle valued at $25,000 to $34,999. |
| Vehicle License Fee | DMV | 0.65% of the vehicle's purchase price or value. It decreases over the first 11 renewal years. |
| Title, transfer, plates, and county fees | DMV and county | These vary. Use the DMV's fee calculator for exact amounts. |
State fees from the California DMV registration fees page; dealer document charge from the DMV Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual (Vehicle Code §§ 4456.5 and 11713.1); Auburn's rate from CDTFA rate data. Checked October 2, 2026. Fees and rates change.
Here is an illustration with made-up numbers: a $25,000 used vehicle bought and registered in Auburn.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle price | $25,000.00 |
| Sales tax at 7.25% | $1,812.50 |
| Dealer document processing charge (maximum) | $85.00 |
| DMV registration fee | $76.00 |
| CHP fee | $34.00 |
| Transportation Improvement Fee | $132.00 |
| Vehicle License Fee (0.65% of $25,000) | $162.50 |
| Subtotal | $27,302.00 |
Illustration only, not a quote. It leaves out title, transfer, plate, county, and smog fees, any optional products, and any trade-in. The document charge may also be taxable, which would raise the tax slightly, and your itemized quote shows the exact amounts.
Lenders have different requirements, so ask our finance team what yours will need. Getting pre-approved first can make the visit faster.
California requires liability insurance with minimum limits of 30/60/15, which took effect on January 1, 2025: $30,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death to all people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
If you finance a vehicle, your lender will likely require more than the minimum, such as comprehensive and collision coverage. Get insurance quotes for the vehicles you're considering before you buy, so you know the full monthly cost.
If you have a vehicle to trade, find out what it's worth with our Value Your Trade tool. If you still owe money on it, bring your payoff information, and if you owe more than it's worth, ask how that balance will be handled in your new loan. Your trade-in lowers the amount you need to finance, but ask how it's treated in the tax calculation on your quote.
Auburn sits in the Sierra foothills, and many drivers head up to Tahoe in winter. If you'll be doing that, check Caltrans' chain control requirements before your first trip, and ask us what your vehicle needs. All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive can help, but chain requirements can still apply.
Ask us how your registration and plates will be handled and when to expect them. It's also a good time to set up your first maintenance visit: our service department is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can schedule service online.
Not always, but a larger down payment lowers the amount you borrow and can improve your loan terms. Our finance team can tell you what makes sense for your situation.
Many first-time buyers do. Lenders look at more than a credit score, such as your income and your down payment, and some buyers use a cosigner. Apply online to see your options. Financing is subject to approval and credit review.
There isn't one number that applies to every lender and vehicle. Getting pre-approved is the simplest way to see where you stand.
It's a good idea. Pre-approval shows what you may be able to borrow, so you can shop with a number in mind, and it can make your visit faster.
No. According to the California DMV, there is no cooling-off period for new vehicles. That's why a thorough test drive matters before you sign.
Since October 1, 2026, used vehicles sold or leased at retail for $50,000 or less come with a three-day right to cancel, as long as you haven't driven more than 400 miles. The dealer must give you a written disclosure explaining how it works.
7.25% in Auburn, in Placer County. Vehicle sales and use tax follows the address where the vehicle is registered, so if you live somewhere with district taxes, your rate may be higher.
The dealer document processing charge is capped at $85 for dealers with a DMV private-industry-partner agreement and $70 for others, and it can't be represented as a government fee. Ask for an itemized quote.
30/60/15: $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury to all people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage. If you finance, your lender may require more.
Yes to both. Many first-time buyers bring a parent or friend. A cosigner is legally responsible for the loan if you don't pay, so it's an important decision for both of you.
Sales is open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Service is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get pre-approved, run a payment, or stop in and talk with our team. We'll go at your pace.
Sales hours ·
530-450-2330 · 1901 Grass Valley
Highway, Auburn, CA 95603
| Monday–Saturday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
