The same report the app creates

A buyer's field guide, built around the actual car.

This fixed demonstration runs through the real Decision File contract and the same printable Deal Sheet used inside Ask Bobby J. It carries the synthetic VIN, vehicle specifications, market research, known costs, incentive checks, exact dealer questions, and Bobby's next move.

Check my deal

Back to Deal Room

Buyer-side Decision File

2024 Ford F-150 Lariat

Buyer-side working file · Revision 3 · Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

Illustrative sample

Needs evidence

Some of the evidence Bobby needs is missing, partial, or no longer current.

Bobby's take

The truck sits inside the sample market range. The optional products and financing are where the avoidable cost sits.

Exact vehicle

2024 Ford F-150 Lariat

VIN: 1FTFW1E5XPFA10234
Mileage: 38,412 mi
Engine: 2.7L EcoBoost V6
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Fuel: Gasoline
Exterior: Carbonized Gray
Body style: SuperCrew pickup
Seller: Franchised dealer
Stock #: SAMPLE-042
Clean-title listing flag: Yes
One-owner listing flag: Yes
Basic warranty months: 8 months

Negotiation numbers

Guardrails, not a guaranteed sale price

Asking price: $58,240
Open at: $56,900
Expected counter: $57,500
Fair target: $58,000
Walk-away ceiling: $58,500

Do this next

Ask for a clean buyer's order with both optional products removed, confirm every eligible incentive, then compare the financing against the outside approval.

“I'm ready to keep moving. Please remove both optional products and show me the clean buyer's order with the APR, term, and amount financed separated. I'll compare that against my outside approval before I sign.”

Why: Separating optional products makes the real vehicle and financing costs visible.

Market position

Advertised comparable inventory · Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

5comparable listings

Low: $56,900
Median: $57,500
High: $59,100

Subject ask $58,240 · $740 above the market median

Bobby's fair target $58,000

Representative vehicles from the comparable market set
Representative comparable	Asking	Mileage	Days	Location
2024 Ford F-150 Lariat	$56,900	42,105 mi	51	Bethlehem, PA
2024 Ford F-150 Lariat	$57,500	39,820 mi	34	Allentown, PA
2024 Ford F-150 Lariat	$59,100	31,460 mi	18	Easton, PA

Fixed illustrative comparables are used to demonstrate the report layout. Fixed illustrative vehicle facts are used to demonstrate the report layout. Listing flags are not a substitute for a VIN-specific title or accident-history report.

Known deal costs

Figures are separated so the vehicle, products, trade, and financing cannot hide inside one payment.

Truck selling price: $58,240
Protection package: $2,495
Appearance package: $1,395
Documentation fee: $449
State title and registration: $180
Estimated taxes: $3,658
Estimated out-the-door total: $64,417
Amount financed: $59,417
Dealer APR: 6.9%
Finance term: 60 months
Monthly payment: $1,174
Total of payments: $70,424
Illustrative financing difference: $970
Outside approval total of payments: $69,454

Carry this into the dealership

Your walk-in guide

Ask the questions in order. Get the answer on paper before the conversation moves to a monthly payment.

1
VehicleBefore signing
“Can I see the VIN-specific history report, reconditioning repair order, inspection report, and proof that recall work is complete?”
Why it matters: This is the Inspect step. A clean-looking vehicle and a VIN decode do not prove condition or repair completion.
2
VehicleBefore signing
“Can I have the vehicle independently inspected before I sign?”
Why it matters: A third-party inspection is the best check on physical condition.
3
FinancingBefore signing
“What APR, term, amount financed, monthly payment, and total of payments am I agreeing to?”
Why it matters: A monthly payment alone does not show the full financing cost.
4
DealAsk now
“Which products are optional, and can you show me the same deal with every optional product removed?”
Why it matters: Products should be a separate decision, not blended into the payment.
5
DealAsk now
“Which manufacturer and dealer incentives apply to me, and does using one change the APR or selling price?”
Why it matters: Cash incentives and promotional financing may not combine.
6
PaperworkBefore signing
“Will the VIN and every price match across the vehicle, buyer's order, title application, financing contract, and insurance binder?”
Why it matters: A mismatch can attach the agreement or research to the wrong vehicle or terms.

F.A.I.R. evidence coverage

A fixed four-part check. Missing pillars never disappear from the denominator.

2 of 4 measured

Find
Vehicle and market
measured
Inspect
History and condition
not checked
Assess
Money and payments
partial
Review
Paperwork and fees
measured

What changes this decision

Risk to resolve

Two optional products are included in the current worksheet.

Risk to resolve

The dealer financing costs more than the fixed outside approval used in this example.

Risk to resolve

The advertised manufacturer incentive may not combine with the promotional APR.

Still needs verification

The VIN-specific history report has not been supplied.
Open-recall repair completion has not been verified.
Independent mechanical condition has not been verified.
Fixed demonstration figures only. No live customer, dealer, lender, or market data is used.
An independent mechanical inspection and exact vehicle history are not included.

Watch before signing

Two optional products are included in the current worksheet.
The dealer financing costs more than the fixed outside approval used in this example.
The advertised manufacturer incentive may not combine with the promotional APR.

Evidence ledger

Current evidence first. Earlier values remain marked as superseded.

4 current · 0 latest checks · 0 superseded

Deal sheet

The selling price, fees, taxes, and two optional products were read from the fixed sample buyer's order.

Customer-supplied worksheet

Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

unknown · high confidence

Truck selling price: $58,240
Protection package: $2,495
Appearance package: $1,395
Documentation fee: $449
State title and registration: $180
Estimated taxes: $3,658
Estimated out-the-door total: $64,417
Potential manufacturer incentive: $1,500
Promotional finance offer: 3.9% APR for 60 months
Incentive eligibility: Advertised sample offer; eligibility and combination rules still need written confirmation.

Limitation: Verify every figure against the paper before signing.

Vehicle and listing research

The sample listing identifies the exact trim, mileage, equipment, asking price, and time on market.

Fixed sample vehicle research

Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

unknown · medium confidence

Year: 2,024
Make: Ford
Model: F-150
Trim: Lariat
Mileage: 38,412 mi
Asking price: $58,240
Days on market: 42 days
Comparable listings: 5
Median asking price: $57,500
Engine: 2.7L EcoBoost V6
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Fuel type: Gasoline
Exterior color: Carbonized Gray
Body style: SuperCrew pickup
Seller scale: Franchised dealer
Stock number: SAMPLE-042
Listing flag: clean title: Yes
Listing flag: one owner: Yes
Basic warranty remaining (months): 8 months
Basic warranty remaining (miles): 7,588 mi

Limitation: Fixed illustrative vehicle facts are used to demonstrate the report layout. Listing flags are not a substitute for a VIN-specific title or accident-history report.

Market comparison

Five fixed comparable examples place the truck's selling price inside the illustrative market range.

Fixed sample market comparison

Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

unknown · medium confidence

Comparable listings: 5
Lowest asking price: $56,900
Median asking price: $57,500
Highest asking price: $59,100
Days on lot, shortest: 18 days
Days on lot, median: 34 days
Days on lot, longest: 51 days
Comparable 1 vehicle: 2024 Ford F-150 Lariat
Comparable 1 asking price: $56,900
Comparable 1 mileage: 42,105 mi
Comparable 1 days on market: 51 days
Comparable 1 location: Bethlehem, PA
Comparable 2 vehicle: 2024 Ford F-150 Lariat
Comparable 2 asking price: $57,500
Comparable 2 mileage: 39,820 mi
Comparable 2 days on market: 34 days
Comparable 2 location: Allentown, PA
Comparable 3 vehicle: 2024 Ford F-150 Lariat
Comparable 3 asking price: $59,100
Comparable 3 mileage: 31,460 mi
Comparable 3 days on market: 18 days
Comparable 3 location: Easton, PA

Limitation: Fixed illustrative comparables are used to demonstrate the report layout.

Financing comparison

The dealer quote is compared with a fixed outside approval using the same illustrative deal inputs.

Fixed sample financing comparison

Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

unknown · medium confidence

Amount financed: $59,417
Dealer APR: 6.9%
Finance term: 60 months
Monthly payment: $1,174
Total of payments: $70,424
Illustrative financing difference: $970
Outside approval total of payments: $69,454

Limitation: The outside approval is a fixed sample assumption, not a live lender offer.

Important: Ask Bobby J provides automotive decision support based on information provided by you and available third-party data. Information may be incomplete or inaccurate. Market values are estimates, not appraisals or offers. Ask Bobby J does not guarantee price, savings, financing, vehicle condition, title, safety, availability or outcome. Verify final vehicle condition, financing disclosures, contracts and transaction terms before signing.