Ownership Costs & Daily Use

Fuel economy, insurance, depreciation, storage, daily practicality, and long-term ownership costs.

4 answers

A neatly arranged vehicle budget worksheet, calculator, keys, coin stacks, and unbranded model car on a dark desk.

Ownership

What does the first year of owning a new car really cost?

AAA's 2025 data puts average new vehicle ownership at $11,577 for the year, about $964.78 a month, and that baseline applies fully to year one. Two ca…

Verified 2026-07-28

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Short and long rows of blank payment cards sit beside a calculator, vehicle key, and unbranded silver car.

Ownership

When does an old car stop being worth fixing?

There is no fixed dollar cutoff here, but there is a framework: compare the repair bill against what a replacement actually costs you to run, AAA's 20…

Verified 2026-07-28

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Ownership

What does a car actually cost per year to own?

AAA's 2025 data puts the average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle at $11,577 a year, about $964.78 a month. That figure covers fuel at 13.0 …

Verified 2026-07-28

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Ownership

What is depreciation and why is it your biggest car cost?

Depreciation is the value a car loses simply by aging and being driven, and unlike fuel, insurance, or maintenance, it never sends you a bill, so it i…

Verified 2026-07-28

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