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//// Financial · Auto

True Cost of Owning a Car

The sticker price is just the beginning. See your monthly all-in cost, 5-year total, cost per mile, depreciation schedule, and net cost after resale. Buy vs lease comparison included.

401(k) Limit 2024$23,000
Roth IRA Limit$7,000
S&P 500 Avg Return~10%/yr
Car type:
(affects depreciation: -12%/yr)

Car & Loan

$
$
%
$
$
$
$

Monthly Payment

$441

loan only

Monthly All-In

$785

everything included

5-Year Total

$50,075

before resale

Cost per Mile

$0.78

at 12k mi/year

Hidden costs

Your insurance + fuel + maintenance + registration = $344/month 0.8x your loan payment. Most first-time buyers only budget for the car payment.

5-Year Cost Breakdown

Loan (payments + down)$29,450
Insurance$9,000
Fuel$9,000
Maintenance$1,875
Registration$750
Total$50,075

Depreciation Schedule (used car)

YearEst. Value% RetainedLost This Year
Year 0$25,000100.0%
Year 1$22,00088.0%−$3,000
Year 2$19,36077.4%−$2,640
Year 3$17,03768.1%−$2,323
Year 4$14,99260.0%−$2,044
Year 5$13,19352.8%−$1,799
Net cost after resale (5yr total − resale value)$36,882