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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →There is no single dollar figure that tells you whether a new or used car will cost less. Compare the specific vehicles over the same ownership period, counting depreciation, financing, taxes and fees, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repairs—not just sticker price or monthly payment. AAA’s 2026 study puts the average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle at $12,863, but that is a study average, not a new-versus-used savings estimate or a forecast for your car.
What does it cost to own a new car?
AAA’s 2026 Your Driving Costs analysis estimates that owning and operating a new vehicle costs an average of $12,863 a year, or $1,071.92 a month. AAA also reports a weighted-average $4,422 in annual vehicle value loss and identifies depreciation as the largest cost category in its analysis. These figures describe AAA’s selected vehicles and methodology; they are not a universal budget or an annual depreciation rate for any particular model. Read AAA’s 2026 study.
AAA says its methodology changed, so the 2026 total is not directly comparable with its 2025 estimate. Use the 2026 number as context, not as a like-for-like year-over-year trend.
Does buying used always save money?
No. A used car usually has a lower purchase price, but its total cost depends on what you pay, how it depreciates from that point, financing, insurance, fuel economy, maintenance, repairs, and any warranty coverage. A repair-prone vehicle or expensive financing can narrow or erase the upfront price advantage; a well-maintained used car bought on favorable terms may cost less over the same period.
#1 Best Overall
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The available figures do not establish one generic used-car ownership cost that can fairly be subtracted from AAA’s new-vehicle average. The useful comparison is between two specific vehicles, with the same expected years of ownership and annual mileage.
Which costs belong in a new-versus-used comparison?
Estimate each cost over the same ownership horizon. If you expect to keep one car for five years, compare both candidates over five years rather than comparing a used car’s monthly payment with a new car’s price.
Rank #2
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- Purchase and transaction costs: negotiated price, sales tax, title, registration, and other fees.
- Depreciation: purchase price minus expected resale value at the end of your planned ownership period. For a used car, estimate depreciation from its current value rather than treating its past value loss as your future cost.
- Financing: down payment, amount borrowed, APR, loan term, and total amount repaid. For a cash purchase, you avoid loan interest, though some ownership-cost models also assign an opportunity cost to cash.
- Insurance: get quotes for the exact vehicle and the drivers who will use it.
- Fuel: estimate annual mileage against the vehicle’s actual fuel economy and local fuel prices.
- Maintenance and repairs: include scheduled service, tires, likely repairs, and the scope and duration of any warranty.
Edmunds’ five-year True Cost to Own model includes these kinds of costs and is intended for comparisons, not as a prediction of an individual owner’s bill. Its documented assumptions include 15,000 miles per year, traditional financing, above-average credit, 10% down, and a 60-month loan; it also includes a financing cost for cash buyers as an opportunity-cost estimate. Your actual inputs can differ. See Edmunds’ TCO methodology. AAA’s calculator likewise provides generalized estimates and asks for vehicle and location details. Use AAA’s driving-cost calculator.
How to calculate the cost for the cars you are considering
- Set your comparison period and driving estimate. Choose how long you expect to keep the car and estimate your annual mileage. Use the same figures for both candidates.
- Price the exact vehicles. Record each out-the-door price, including taxes, title, registration, and dealer or other fees.
- Get real loan offers. Compare APR, down payment, term, and total amount paid—not only the monthly payment. A low payment can reflect a longer loan and higher total cost. The FTC’s used-car buying guidance explains this financing caution.
- Get insurance quotes and estimate fuel. Quote the specific vehicle and driver profile, then estimate fuel from your mileage, the car’s fuel economy, and local prices.
- Estimate resale value and ownership work. Estimate what each car might be worth when you sell it. Add scheduled maintenance, tires, likely repairs, and any warranty-covered items.
- Inspect a used-car candidate before relying on its estimate. Review the vehicle-history report and Buyers Guide, check warranty terms, and arrange an independent mechanical inspection. Ask the mechanic for a written estimate of needed and near-term work, then include that amount in your used-car calculation.
- Add the costs across the period. Count the purchase and transaction costs, financing, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repairs, then subtract expected resale value. Treat the result as a personalized estimate, not a guarantee.
Why a used-car inspection matters to the calculation
A calculator cannot know the condition of an individual used car or predict exactly what it will need during your ownership. A vehicle-history report can help you review a car’s background, but it does not establish its current mechanical condition. The FTC puts it plainly: “A vehicle history report is not a substitute for an independent vehicle inspection.” Ask for the Buyers Guide, read the warranty terms, and use an independent mechanic’s written repair estimate to refine your numbers. FTC: Buying a Used Car from a Dealer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
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Rank #3
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
