Excel workbook
Car Buying and Total Cost Comparer: Loan, Lease, Fuel, Insurance and Resale Over the Years You Keep It
Compare cars on what they really cost over the years you will keep them, not just the monthly payment.
$14 one time · 14-day full refund · example and blank copies · download link by email
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Browse the storeWho it is for
Anyone choosing between cars, new or used, bought or leased, gas or hybrid.
Not the right fit if
You've already chosen the car and only need a loan payment, or you're comparing more than four cars.
Why it is different
- It adds up the full cost, including interest, fuel, insurance, upkeep and what the car will be worth, instead of only the payment.
- It shows the extra cost if you drive more than a lease allows.
- A filled example with invented cars and a blank copy with working formulas.
What is inside
- Start Here. Purpose, which cells to fill in and what the numbers are.
- Your Budget. The share of income you want to spend on a car, your miles, how long you will keep it and local prices.
- Compare Cars. Up to four cars side by side, bought or leased, with payment, interest, fuel, insurance, upkeep, registration and resale, total cost, cost per month and per mile, and a ranking.
- Loan Detail. A yearly look at principal and interest and the balance when you plan to sell.
- Break-Even. How many years until a more efficient car costs less than a cheaper one.
- Checks. Missing inputs and a warning when lease miles run over.
A look inside
Example data, real formulas
Get it
Car Buying and Total Cost Comparer
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Uses the email and terms box above. You get the same download link by email.
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Delivered as a zip with a filled example and a blank copy. Built for Excel, tested in LibreOffice; it should open in Google Sheets but not every feature is tested there. For one business, your own use. General information, not accounting, tax or legal advice. A planning aid, not financial advice. Fuel, insurance, upkeep and resale values are your own estimates, and dealer quotes control. If a lease ends before the years you keep the car, the workbook assumes you lease again on the same terms. Payment is handled by Stripe. If a file will not open or something looks wrong, reply to your order email and we will make it right.
Ways to get it
Just this kit, or more
Membership
$29 a month
Every kit and document pack in the store, including new ones. Cancel any time.
See the membershipQuestions
Common questions
What do I get and how is it delivered?
The Car Buying Total Cost Comparer as two Excel files in one zip: a filled-in EXAMPLE so you can see every tab working, and a BLANK copy for your own numbers, plus a README. The download link arrives by email after payment.
Will it open on a Mac, Google Sheets or my phone?
Built for Excel and tested in LibreOffice, which runs on Mac and Windows; it should open in Google Sheets, but not every feature is tested there. Phone spreadsheet apps are not tested. If a file will not open or something looks wrong, reply to your order email and we will make it right. If it is not right for you, email us within 14 days of buying for a full refund.
Is this legal or tax advice?
A planning aid, not financial advice. Fuel, insurance, upkeep and resale values are your own estimates, and dealer quotes control.
Is it the right fit for me?
It is made for anyone choosing between cars, new or used, bought or leased, gas or hybrid. Skip it if you've already chosen the car and only need a loan payment, or you're comparing more than four cars.
Rather hand it off?
We can keep the books for you each month
If tracking this yourself is more than you want to take on, we do monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks, Xero or Excel. Tell us what you use and what is behind, and we reply with a written quote after a short review of your books. No obligation.
Get a bookkeeping quote Free books health checkPrefer to keep it yourself but want a hand getting started? Book a 45 minute setup session ($65).
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