Money

Car Cost Calculator

Estimate the true total cost of owning a car, then compare leasing versus buying over the same period.

What this does: the Total Cost of Ownership tab adds your loan payments (from a standard amortization formula), fuel, insurance, maintenance and registration over the years you keep the car, then subtracts resale value to show total, yearly, and monthly cost. The Lease vs Buy tab compares a lease's total payments against the net cost of buying and selling over the same term. Everything is calculated in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Purchase price ($)

Down payment ($)

Loan APR (%)

Loan term (months)

Annual fuel estimate

Miles per year

Fuel economy (MPG)

Fuel price ($/gal)

Insurance ($/yr)

Maintenance ($/yr)

Registration & taxes ($/yr)

Ownership (years)

Estimated resale value at end ($)

Estimates only. Rates such as APR, fuel prices and depreciation change over time and vary by lender, region, and vehicle. Verify current figures before deciding. This tool is not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

How does this car cost calculator work?

It has two modes. Total cost of ownership adds your down payment, every loan payment (principal plus interest from a standard amortization formula), and your running costs (insurance, fuel, maintenance, and registration over the years you keep the car), then subtracts the resale value. Lease vs Buy compares a lease's total payments against the net cost of buying and selling over the same period. All math runs in your browser.

How is the monthly loan payment calculated?

It uses the standard loan amortization formula: payment = P x r x (1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n - 1), where P is the amount financed (price minus down payment), r is the monthly interest rate (APR / 12), and n is the term in months. When the APR is 0%, it simply divides the amount financed by the number of months.

Is this calculator financial advice?

No. It is an estimation tool for comparing scenarios. Real costs depend on your exact loan terms, insurance quotes, fuel prices, depreciation, taxes, and fees, which all change over time. Verify current figures and consult a qualified professional before making a purchase or lease decision.