About Thornebriar

What is Thornebriar?

Thornebriar is a consumer-focused platform that simplifies car buying. We give you the same information, tools, and strategies that dealers use — without the pressure, confusion, or sales tactics.

Our goal is to help you understand every number before you make a decision, whether you’re buying, leasing, trading, or financing.

Who created Thornebriar?

Thornebriar was founded by Jim Dykstra, a tech professional with over 20 years of experience in process design and automation. After years of watching dealers take advantage of unprepared buyers, he built Thornebriar to even the playing field — giving consumers the same data dealers use to price cars, trade-ins, and financing.

Why was Thornebriar created?

Because car buying is often confusing, time-consuming, and unfair. Dealers “price people, not products.” That means two customers can buy the same car and pay very different prices. Thornebriar fixes this by giving buyers tools and knowledge to negotiate confidently and know when a deal is fair.

The Car Buyer’s Gameplan

What is the Car Buyer’s Gameplan?

The Car Buyer’s Gameplan is our step-by-step digital guide that walks you through the entire process of buying, leasing, trading, or selling a vehicle. It includes deal checklists, pricing insights, and the “2 C’s” every buyer should know — Character (your credit profile) and Capacity (your ability to pay). For those seeking deeper understanding, the full version adds the third C – Collateral, which focuses on vehicle value and loan-to-value ratios.

Why do I need it if free info is everywhere online?

Most “free” car-buying advice comes from sources that profit from ads or dealer referrals — meaning it’s rarely unbiased. Thornebriar’s only customer is you.

Our Gameplan was built to save you time and thousands of dollars, using the same proven strategies professional auto brokers charge $500–$1,000 to share.

What makes the Gameplan different from other guides?

It doesn’t just tell you what to do — it shows you how. You’ll learn:

  • How dealers structure offers and hide profit margins
  • The real math behind leases and loans
  • How to value your trade accurately
  • Which fees are negotiable and which aren’t
  • What to bring to the dealership to stay in control

How do I get the Gameplan?

You can download the first quarter free directly from our website — no credit card required. Once you’re ready to unlock the full version, you’ll gain access to all four sections and our digital tools.

Tools & Calculators

What tools are included?

Thornebriar offers simple, browser-based tools to help you analyze deals:

  • Offer Calculator – Reveals what a car should actually cost
  • Deal Analyzer – Compares multiple offers side-by-side
  • Trade-In Estimator – Finds your real vehicle value
  • Loan / Lease Calculator – Estimates payments, interest rates, and total costs


No software or downloads needed — just accurate data and transparency.

Are the calculator results guaranteed?

No calculator can predict every dealer offer exactly, but our formulas use real market data to give you a fair range for negotiation. They’re designed to help you spot overpricing or undervalued trade-ins before you walk in.

Dealership Tactics & Buyer Protection

What dealer tricks should I watch out for?

Even honest dealers are trained to maximize profit. Common tactics include:

  • Inflated trade-in values that get offset elsewhere in the deal
  • “Today-only” pricing pressure
  • Hidden fees rolled into financing
  • Add-ons like extended warranties or GAP insurance with huge markups

The Gameplan helps you identify these traps and counter them with facts, not emotion.

Can Thornebriar guarantee I’ll get a better deal?

No one can guarantee that. But by understanding how pricing, financing, and trade values work, you’ll avoid costly mistakes and gain leverage in every conversation.

Pricing, Support & Privacy

How much does Thornebriar cost?

The first quarter of the Car Buyer’s Gameplan is free. Full access — including all four quarters and our digital tools — is available at a one-time affordable price. (No subscriptions or hidden fees.)

Do you sell cars or work with dealerships?

No. Thornebriar doesn’t sell cars, take commissions, or partner with dealerships.
We’re 100% independent — that’s what makes our advice trustworthy.

Will you share or sell my data?

Never. We don’t run ads, sell leads, or share your personal information. Your data stays private — always.

Can I contact someone for help?

Yes. Use our Contact Page to reach out anytime. We respond to most inquiries within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.

Using Thornebriar

Can I use it on my phone or tablet?

Absolutely. Our site and tools are fully mobile-friendly, so you can reference your Gameplan or run deal calculations right from the dealership lot.

Is Thornebriar for U.S. buyers only?

Yes, for now. We currently focus on the U.S. auto market. Expansion into other countries — starting with Canada — is planned as we add verified vehicle and trade-value databases.