Example data table
| Scenario | Purchase | Years | Distance/year | Fuel economy | Insurance/year | Resale method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget commuter | 12,000 | 5 | 12,000 mi | 30 MPG | 1,100 | 12% per year | Low maintenance, moderate fuel cost. |
| Higher mileage | 14,500 | 4 | 18,000 mi | 26 MPG | 1,350 | Custom resale | More fuel and repairs expected. |
| Short ownership | 10,000 | 2 | 10,000 mi | 28 MPG | 1,000 | Straight-line 15% | Resale and fees dominate total cost. |
Numbers are illustrative. Use your local prices and fees for best results.
Formula used
This calculator estimates total cost as: Total = NetVehicle + Operating + Opportunity.
- Loan payment: PMT = P·r·(1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n − 1), where r = APR/12.
- Interest and remaining balance: calculated via a month-by-month amortization loop for the ownership period.
- Net vehicle cashflows: upfront costs + payments + payoff − resale value.
- Fuel: MPG uses gallons = miles/MPG; L/100km uses liters = km/100·L/100km.
- Inflation for recurring costs: Sum = base·((1+i)^Y − 1)/i, where i is inflation and Y is years.
- Resale estimate: percent method uses Resale = Price·(1−d)^Y.
- Opportunity cost (optional): AvgValue·rate·Y, with AvgValue = (Price + Resale)/2.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the purchase price, ownership years, and expected distance.
- Add taxes, fees, and any immediate repairs you expect.
- If financing, enter APR and loan term months.
- Fill recurring costs like insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
- Choose a resale method, then calculate the results.
- Use CSV or PDF to save and compare scenarios.
FAQs
1) Why include resale value?
Resale reduces your net cost. The calculator subtracts estimated resale proceeds after adding fees, loan payments, and payoff balance if you sell before the loan ends.
2) What if I pay cash?
Set loan term to zero or APR to zero. The financing section will contribute no interest, and the total will be driven by upfront costs, operating costs, and resale.
3) How accurate is the depreciation estimate?
It’s a planning estimate. Market conditions, mileage, maintenance history, and model demand can change resale. Use “Custom resale value” if you have a better forecast.
4) Why is remaining loan balance added at sale?
If you sell before paying off the loan, the remaining principal must be cleared. The calculator adds that payoff so totals reflect the full cash needed to complete the sale.
5) How should I estimate maintenance and repairs?
Use your service schedule and local shop quotes for maintenance. For repairs, include a buffer for age-related items like brakes, suspension parts, sensors, and cooling components.
6) Can I model higher fuel prices later?
Yes. Set an inflation rate to grow recurring costs yearly. For more precision, run multiple scenarios with different fuel prices and compare the totals and cost per distance.
7) What does opportunity cost mean here?
It estimates the value you could have earned if money tied up in the vehicle stayed invested. It’s optional and uses an average value approximation over the ownership period.
8) How do I use the downloads?
After calculating, use “Download CSV” for spreadsheets and “Download PDF” for a quick summary. The file includes inputs, totals, and a category breakdown for records.