Used-car ownership cost calculator

The real cost is not the sticker price.

CarCostMath turns a used-car listing into an honest receipt: payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, tires, taxes, and depreciation — all in one believable comparison.

Compare two carsBefore-you-buy checklistBrowse true-cost pages
No sign-upEditable mathPublic vehicle dataClear limits
Honest receipt5-year planning view

The real cost is not the sticker price.

2019 2019 Honda CR-V currently wins by about $21/mo, or $1,233 over five years.

$58,812
Sticker price$21,500
Loan paymentsFinanced payments due within 5 years$24,891
DepreciationValue you may not get back$7,310
InsuranceQuote before buying$8,400
Fuel / energyMileage × efficiency$8,111
Maintenance, repairs + tiresCondition buffer$9,300
Taxes + feesLocal recurring costs$800
Hidden ownership lines shown above$33,921
Live calculator

Compare two used cars by true monthly cost.

Start with a completed comparison, then replace defaults with real quotes, inspection findings, and local costs. The interactive calculator loads from the JavaScript bundle.

Decision sentenceOver five years, 2019 2019 Honda CR-V is estimated to cost $1,233 less.Then verify insurance, financing, condition, taxes, and inspection findings before buying.
Itemized estimate
True monthly cost

2020 Toyota RAV4

$1,001/mo
Estimated 5-year cost$60,045Planning rangeverify quotes
Itemized estimate
True monthly cost

2019 Honda CR-V

$980/mo
Estimated 5-year cost$58,812Current example winner$21/mo less
Trust layer

Transparent assumptions, public sources, and clear limits.

  • Loan payment uses standard amortization from price, tax, down payment, APR, and term.
  • Fuel cost uses annual miles, MPG or EV equivalent, and user-entered energy price.
  • Repair, maintenance, insurance, tires, and depreciation are editable planning assumptions because condition, location, driver profile, and shop choice vary.
  • Always verify with insurers, lenders, mechanics, official sources, and a pre-purchase inspection.