Real numbers, no dealership spin
What does a car really cost to own?
Super Car Digest breaks down the true cost of owning, insuring, repairing and buying a car in the US — with calculators built from published repair data, insurance filings and depreciation curves, not guesses.
- Prices sourced from RepairPal, AAA & Consumer Reports
- Updated for 2026
- Independent — we don’t sell cars or insurance
Free tools that answer the money questions
Each calculator takes under a minute and shows its math.
Gap Insurance Calculator
See how far underwater your loan is today and whether gap coverage is worth paying for.
Open calculator →Repair or Replace?
Compare a big repair bill against your car’s value and what a replacement would cost you per month.
Open calculator →True Cost of Ownership
Depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance and interest — your real monthly cost for any car.
Open calculator →Lease vs Buy Calculator
Side-by-side 3, 5 and 7-year totals so you can see which option actually costs less for how you drive.
Open calculator →How Much Car Can I Afford?
Uses the 20/4/10 rule and your real take-home pay to set a budget that won’t wreck your month.
Open calculator →Car Depreciation Calculator
Estimate what your car will be worth in 1–10 years and how much value you lose each month.
Open calculator →Pick your money question
Ownership Costs
Yearly and monthly cost of owning a car, by model and by budget.
Insurance & Warranty
Gap insurance, extended warranties and premiums — what pays and what doesn’t.
Repair Costs
Fair prices for brakes, AC, suspension and leaks, and when to walk away.
Buying a Used Car
Mileage limits, inspection checklists and negotiation scripts.
Latest guides
-
Lease vs Buy a Car: Which Actually Costs Less? (With Real 3, 5 and 7-Year Numbers)
Leasing wins on monthly payment and loses on total cost — usually by $5,000–$10,000 over five years. Here…
-
Best Car Interior Cleaner: 3 Easy Options for Dashboards and Seats
How to choose a car interior cleaner for plastic, vinyl and leather, with three popular options on Amazon…
-
Best Car Scratch Remover: 3 Options for Light Paint Scratches
How to choose a car scratch remover, what it can and cannot fix, and three popular options on…
-
Best Car Wash Soap: 3 Safe Shampoos for Your Paint
How to choose a car wash soap that is safe for paint and wax, with three popular options…
-
Best Car Wax: 3 Easy Options for a Glossy Finish
How to choose a car wax or paint sealant, with three popular options on Amazon compared by use…
-
Best Tire Pressure Gauge: 3 Accurate Options Compared
How to choose a tire pressure gauge, with three popular digital and analog options on Amazon compared.
Start here: our most useful guides
New to the site? These answer the questions drivers ask most.
Best Time to Buy a Used Car in 2026 (Month, Week and Day)
When prices dip and which month, week and day gives you the best leverage.
Read the guide →How to Inspect a Used Car: 2026 Step-by-Step Checklist
A step-by-step checklist to run before you hand over any money.
Read the guide →How to Negotiate a Used Car Price: Scripts That Work With Dealers and Private Sellers
What to say to dealers and private sellers when you negotiate.
Read the guide →Timing Belt Replacement Cost in 2026: Belt and Kit Prices
What the job costs, why it varies and when it can’t wait.
Read the guide →How Much Does a Car Battery Cost in 2026? Price Guide
Typical price ranges and when a new battery is really needed.
Read the guide →How to Reset a Check Engine Light (and When Not To)
Safe ways to clear the light and what it means if it comes back.
Read the guide →Gear and tool guides
Practical buying guides for tools that save money. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
Best Paint Thickness Gauge for Used Cars (2026): How to Use One
A cheap tool that can reveal hidden bodywork before you buy.
Read the guide →Best Dash Cam for Truckers, Semi Drivers and Uber/Lyft Drivers (2026)
Dash cam features that matter for long hours and ride-share driving.
Read the guide →Best Jump Starters for Cars: 3 Popular Picks Compared
How to choose a portable jump starter and use it safely.
Read the guide →Best Portable Tire Inflators for Cars
Corded, heavy-duty and cordless inflators compared.
Read the guide →Best Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners
Read check engine codes yourself with your phone.
Read the guide →Best Car Battery Chargers and Maintainers
Smart chargers for daily drivers and stored cars compared.
Read the guide →Best Tire Pressure Gauges
Digital and analog gauges compared, plus how to check pressure.
Read the guide →Best Car Waxes for a Glossy Finish
Liquid, paste and ceramic spray options explained.
Read the guide →Best Car Wash Soaps
Safe, pH-balanced shampoos and how to wash without scratches.
Read the guide →Best Car Scratch Removers
What compounds can fix light scratches and what they cannot.
Read the guide →Best Car Interior Cleaners
Safe cleaners for dashboards, vinyl and seats compared.
Read the guide →Browse all guides
Every article on the site in one place. Search it or jump to a topic.
Repair Costs 67 guides
Repair and replacement costs
- ABS Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026: Wheel Speed Sensors
- Ball Joint Replacement Cost in 2026: Upper and Lower Prices
- Brake Booster Replacement Cost in 2026: Vacuum vs Hydraulic
- Brake Caliper Replacement Cost in 2026: One Caliper vs a Pair
- Brake Fluid Replacement Cost in 2026 (and Whether You Really Need It)
- Brake Line Replacement Cost in 2026: One Line, Brake Hoses and Full Replacement Prices
- Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Cost in 2026 (Real Prices)
- Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost and Symptoms (2026)
- Car AC Leak Repair Cost in 2026: Find It, Fix It, Recharge
- Car AC Repair Cost in 2026: Recharge, Compressor, Condenser and Leak Prices
- Car Dent Repair Cost in 2026 (Including Hail Damage)
- Car Oil Leak Repair Cost in 2026: Valve Cover, Oil Pan, Rear Main Seal and More
- Car Suspension Repair Cost in 2026: Struts, Shocks, Control Arms and Bushings
- Car Window Replacement Cost in 2026: Side, Rear & More
- Control Arm Replacement Cost in 2026: Upper, Lower, Bushings
- Coolant Hose Replacement Cost in 2026: Radiator & Heater
- Coolant Leak Repair Cost in 2026: Hose, Pump, Radiator & More
- Crankshaft Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026, Plus Cam Sensor
- CV Axle Replacement Cost in 2026: Axle, CV Joint and Boot Prices
- DPF Filter Replacement Cost in 2026: Cleaning vs Replacing
- Drive Shaft Replacement Cost in 2026: Shaft and U-Joints
- Drum Brake Replacement Cost in 2026: Shoes, Drums, Cylinders
- EGR Valve Replacement Cost in 2026: Gas, Diesel, Cleaning
- Exhaust Leak Repair Cost in 2026: Gasket, Flex Pipe, Muffler
- Front Bumper Replacement Cost in 2026: Cover, Paint, Sensors
- Front Strut Replacement Cost in 2026: Pair, Parts, Labor
- Fuel Injector Replacement Cost in 2026: Port vs. Direct Injection
- Hail Damage Repair Cost in 2026: PDR, Insurance and Prices
- Head Gasket Repair Cost in 2026 and Blown Gasket Symptoms
- How Much Does a Car Battery Cost in 2026? Price Guide
- How Much Does It Cost to Patch a Tire? 2026 Prices
- How Much Does It Cost to Tint Car Windows in 2026?
- How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Car in 2026?
- Ignition Coil Replacement Cost in 2026: One Coil or All?
- Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement Cost in 2026
- Is It Worth Fixing an Old Car? The 50% Rule, the Real Cost of Replacing, and 7 Signs to Keep It
- Knock Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026: Parts and Labor
- Motor Mount (Engine Mount) Replacement Cost in 2026
- O2 Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026: Upstream vs Downstream
- Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Cost in 2026: Why Labor Varies
- Oil Pump Replacement Cost in 2026: Parts and Labor
- Paintless Dent Repair Cost in 2026: Dent and Hail Prices
- PCV Valve Replacement Cost in 2026: Simple vs Integrated
- Power Steering Pump Replacement Cost in 2026: Full Guide
- Prius Battery Replacement Cost in 2026: Hybrid Prices
- Rack and Pinion Replacement Cost in 2026: Hydraulic vs EPS
- Radiator Replacement Cost in 2026: Parts, Labor, Add-Ons
- Rear Main Seal Replacement Cost in 2026: RWD, FWD and AWD
- Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost in 2026
- Side Mirror Replacement Cost in 2026: Glass vs Housing
- Spark Plug Replacement Cost in 2026: 4, 6 and 8-Cylinder Prices
- Starter Motor Replacement Cost in 2026: New vs Reman
- Sway Bar Link Replacement Cost in 2026: Links, Bushings, Bar
- Throttle Body Replacement Cost in 2026: Parts, Labor, Relearn
- Tie Rod Replacement Cost in 2026: Inner vs Outer, Plus Alignment
- Timing Belt Replacement Cost in 2026: Belt and Kit Prices
- TPMS Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026: Per Sensor, Shop vs Dealer
- Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost in 2026: 4-Cyl vs V6 and V8
- Windshield Chip Repair Cost in 2026: Chip, Crack, Insurance
Symptoms and warning lights
- Airbag Warning Light On? Causes, Safety and Repair Costs
- Check Engine Light Flashing? Causes, Costs and What to Do
- Check Engine Light On From a Loose Gas Cap? What to Do
- How to Reset a Check Engine Light (and When Not To)
- Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator and Cost
- Symptoms of a Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor and Fix Costs
- Symptoms of a Bad Starter: 7 Signs and Repair Costs
- Symptoms of a Bad Torque Converter: Signs, Causes and Costs
Car Gear and Tools 11 guides
- Best Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners: 3 Popular Picks Compared
- Best Car Battery Charger and Maintainer: 3 Options Compared
- Best Car Interior Cleaner: 3 Easy Options for Dashboards and Seats
- Best Car Scratch Remover: 3 Options for Light Paint Scratches
- Best Car Wash Soap: 3 Safe Shampoos for Your Paint
- Best Car Wax: 3 Easy Options for a Glossy Finish
- Best Dash Cam for Truckers, Semi Drivers and Uber/Lyft Drivers (2026)
- Best Jump Starters for Cars: 3 Popular Picks Compared
- Best Paint Thickness Gauge for Used Cars (2026): How to Use One
- Best Portable Tire Inflators for Cars: 3 Popular Picks Compared
- Best Tire Pressure Gauge: 3 Accurate Options Compared
Insurance & Warranty 7 guides
- Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It? The Math Most Buyers Never See
- Average Monthly Cost of an Extended Car Warranty (2026) — and What the Payment Plans Hide
- Does Gap Insurance Cover Engine Failure? No — Here’s What Does
- Does Gap Insurance Cover Negative Equity? Read This First
- How Much Is Gap Insurance? 2026 Costs From Insurers vs Dealers
- Is Gap Insurance Worth It on a Used Car? Run These 3 Numbers First
- When Does Gap Insurance Not Pay? 9 Exclusions That Surprise Car Owners
Buying a Used Car 5 guides
- 25 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car (From a Private Seller or Dealer)
- Best Time to Buy a Used Car in 2026 (Month, Week and Day)
- How Many Miles Is Too Many for a Used Car? (The Real Answer by Age and Brand)
- How to Inspect a Used Car: 2026 Step-by-Step Checklist
- How to Negotiate a Used Car Price: Scripts That Work With Dealers and Private Sellers