How to calculate the total cost of that car your driving & Save

Owning a car can be a significant expense that requires careful budgeting and planning. In addition to the initial purchase price, there are ongoing costs to consider such as monthly payments, insurance, gas, depreciation, and maintenance. In this article, we will discuss each of these factors and how to calculate the total cost of owning a car.

Monthly Payments

Monthly car payments are the amount of money you pay each month to your lender to pay off your car loan. The monthly payment depends on the purchase price of the car, the interest rate, and the length of the loan term. To calculate your monthly car payment, you can use an online car loan calculator or use the following formula:

Monthly Payment = (Loan Amount * (Interest Rate/12)) / (1 - (1 + Interest Rate/12) ^ (-Loan Term in Months))

For example, if you took out a car loan for $20,000 with an interest rate of 5% and a loan term of 60 months, your monthly payment would be approximately $377.

Insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement in most states and is necessary to protect you and your vehicle in the event of an accident. Insurance premiums vary depending on a number of factors, such as the make and model of your car, your driving history, and the coverage options you choose. To calculate your monthly insurance costs, you can get quotes from different insurance companies and compare them.

Gas

Gas is another ongoing expense of owning a car. The amount you spend on gas will depend on your driving habits, the make and model of your car, and gas prices in your area. To estimate your monthly gas costs, you can use the following formula:

Monthly Gas Cost = (Miles Driven Per Month / Miles Per Gallon) * Price Per Gallon

For example, if you drive 1,000 miles per month in a car that gets 25 miles per gallon and gas costs $3 per gallon, your monthly gas cost would be approximately $120.

Depreciation

Depreciation is the decrease in value that occurs over time as a result of wear and tear, aging, and other factors. It is an important factor to consider when calculating the total cost of owning a car because it affects the resale value of your vehicle. To estimate your monthly depreciation cost, you can use the following formula:

Monthly Depreciation Cost = (Purchase Price - Estimated Resale Value) / Number of Months You Plan to Own the Car

For example, if you bought a car for $20,000 and plan to own it for 5 years, and you estimate the resale value to be $10,000, your monthly depreciation cost would be approximately $166.

Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs are another ongoing expense of owning a car. They include routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake replacements, as well as unexpected repairs. The amount you spend on maintenance will depend on the make and model of your car and your driving habits. To estimate your monthly maintenance costs, you can use the following formula:

Monthly Maintenance Cost = Annual Maintenance Cost / 12

For example, if your car requires $1,200 in maintenance per year, your monthly maintenance cost would be approximately $100.

Total Cost of Owning a Car

To calculate the total cost of owning a car, you can add up all of the above expenses. Using the examples we've provided, the total monthly cost of owning a car would be approximately:

Monthly Payment + Insurance + Gas + Depreciation + Maintenance = $377 + $100 + $120 + $166 + $100 = $863

This means that the total cost of owning a car for one month is $863, which is a significant expense. However, by carefully budgeting and planning, There are ways you may be able to save.

Use the SaveOnMyAuto.com calculator