Make the numbers comparable
Free car ownership cost tools
Start with the decision in front of you: a shortlist of vehicles, a lease quote or a loan. Keep the payment budget separate from ownership cost.
See an actual quote worksheet ↓5-Year True Cost of Ownership Calculator
Open calculatorStart withVehicle prices, mileage, running costs and financing.
Use the result toCompare 1–3 cars. Keep a fillable quote worksheet.
Lease vs. Buy Calculator
Open calculatorStart withLease signing cash and payments; a purchase quote.
Use the result toCompare cash paid, remaining debt and resale equity over the same term.
Auto Loan & Refinance Calculator
Open calculatorStart withLoan amount, rate and term; current loan for refinancing.
Use the result toSee payments, total interest and the amortization schedule.
An actual exported worksheet
Keep the estimate.
Bring back the real quote.
A lower monthly payment is only one part of the comparison. Keep the costs, missing fees and questions together while you check each offer.
- Compare the same five years
- Ownership cost, loan payments, cash paid and ending equity appear as separate lines.
- Record what the quote confirms
- Each car gets editable fields for actual amounts, their sources and dates. A blank answer stays unknown.
- Update the calculation
- Re-enter confirmed figures in the calculator. Writing in the PDF does not recalculate its totals.
About this example
Exported September 11, 2026 from the calculator’s Gas SUV and Hybrid sedan examples, with the third vehicle off. Shared inputs: 12,000 miles/year, $5,000 down, 6.5% APR, 60-month loan, depreciation of 20% then 15% annually. Taxes and fees are blank and excluded. These are demonstration assumptions, not real offers or a recommendation.
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