Spending & BudgetingCars

The True Cost of a Car

Payment, insurance, gas, repairs and the value it loses

A car payment looks like the price of driving. What if the real cost runs hundreds of dollars higher, every month?

You'll find out

  • What owning a new car costs a month
  • The biggest cost that never sends a bill
  • Why fewer miles cost more per mile

Why it matters

The payment is the number people shop by. The whole bill is the number they live with, every month.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 177 · Zone 20

Play this lesson

Free to play in your browser or on iPhone

More in this zone

  1. 172BudgetingFixed and Variable Costs at HomeThe bills that never move and the ones you control
  2. 173PricingThe Decoy PriceA useless option can make another look like a deal
  3. 174SpendingLifestyle CreepWhen spending rises to meet every raise
  4. 175BudgetingSinking FundsSaving a little each month for bills you know are coming
  5. 176CarsA New Car Is an InvestmentMost cars lose value fast
  6. 178WantingThe Diderot EffectA philosopher's beautiful new robe made everything he owned look shabby, and the upgrades never stopped
  7. 179Behavioral EconomicsThe IKEA EffectWe love what we build ourselves
  8. 180Spending HabitsThe 30-Day PauseWaiting before a want shows if you still want it