New Car vs. Used Car vs. Leased Car Calculator
Compare the estimated cost of buying a used car, buying a new car, or leasing.
Comparison period
Choose how long you plan to own the vehicle.
Defaults to a 10-year comparison period.
Index fund alternative
Any monthly savings from the cheaper car are invested at this return.
Custom return
Index presets use approximate 30-year annualized historical total-return averages with dividends reinvested. They are planning assumptions, not forecasts.
Used car
Purchase, financing, depreciation, and annual ownership costs.
$5,600 cash down; $5,600 total down incl. trade-in
$22,400 financed
$438 / month
Additional Costs
$9,763 estimated resale value
New car
Purchase, financing, depreciation, and annual ownership costs.
$9,600 cash down; $9,600 total down incl. trade-in
$38,400 financed
$751 / month
Additional Costs
$9,450 estimated resale value
Lease
Due at signing, monthly lease payment, annual lease costs, and optional buyout.
$24,750 estimated buyout price at lease end
Additional Costs
$0 estimated resale after buyout
Equalize vehicle price
Set a common vehicle price for Used, New, and Lease before reviewing the 3, 5, and 10 year table.
Sets the used purchase price, new purchase price, and lease car value to the selected amount.
3, 5, and 10 Year Cost Comparison
Estimated total cash out, resale value, and net cost for each auto option.
| Years | Option | Total Cash Out | Resale | Net Cost | Saved Cash Invested | Investment Growth | Investment Value | Net Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 year comparison | ||||||||
| Used | -$39,828 | $20,412 | -$19,416 | $15,570 | $3,251 | $18,821 | -$595 | |
| New | -$55,398 | $29,478 | -$25,920 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$25,920 | |
| Lease | -$41,850 | $0 | -$41,850 | $14,048 | $3,307 | $17,355 | -$24,495 | |
| 5 year comparison | ||||||||
| Used | -$62,647 | $16,534 | -$46,113 | $23,284 | $8,185 | $31,469 | -$14,644 | |
| New | -$85,930 | $21,298 | -$64,633 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$64,633 | |
| Lease | -$66,750 | $0 | -$66,750 | $19,680 | $7,706 | $27,386 | -$39,364 | |
| 10 year comparison | ||||||||
| Used | -$93,397 | $9,763 | -$83,634 | $42,567 | $34,097 | $76,664 | -$6,970 | |
| New | -$117,180 | $9,450 | -$107,730 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$107,730 | |
| Lease | -$129,000 | $0 | -$129,000 | $33,761 | $29,470 | $63,231 | -$65,769 | |
About this new vs. used car cost calculator
This auto cost calculator compares buying a used car, buying a new car, and leasing over a selected ownership period. It estimates net cost after payments, ownership expenses, depreciation, resale value, and invested savings.
The model includes vehicle price, down payment, trade-in value, loan rate, loan term, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, registration, fuel or charging, lease payments, residual value, disposition fee, and market return assumptions.
How to interpret the result
The winning option has the best estimated outcome after subtracting net vehicle cost and adding the value of any saved cash invested over the comparison period.
What to verify
Confirm real loan or lease quotes, insurance premiums, maintenance expectations, taxes, registration, mileage limits, residual values, and resale assumptions for the specific vehicle.