Should I Buy a Car?

About This Tool

Should I Buy a Car? is a free, browser-based calculator that helps you make a financially informed decision about switching from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV). It compares your true monthly costs side by side and shows you when — or whether — an EV purchase pays for itself.

Unlike simple "gas vs. electric fuel cost" comparisons you might find elsewhere, this tool accounts for the full picture: your current car's loan payment, trade-in value, oil changes, EV financing, state sales tax, annual EV registration fees, home charger installation, and your local electricity rate. The result is a realistic monthly and long-term cost comparison tailored to your specific situation.

What the Calculator Covers

• Your current gas car — fuel cost, oil changes, and any remaining loan payment
• Your prospective EV — purchase price, financing (loan payment), state sales tax, and annual EV registration fee
• Upfront costs — down payment, home charger installation, trade-in value applied against the financed amount
• Electricity cost — based on your local rate per kWh and the EV's efficiency rating
• Breakeven period — how many months until monthly savings offset upfront costs

How It Works

All calculations run entirely in your browser using standard financial formulas. Nothing you enter is sent to any server. The tool uses:

• Standard loan amortization for monthly payment calculations
• EPA-style fuel/electricity cost formulas (miles ÷ efficiency × price per unit)
• State-specific vehicle sales tax rates and annual EV registration fees
• Breakeven analysis: upfront costs divided by monthly savings

Results are estimates intended to help you think through a purchase decision. They are not a substitute for professional financial advice. Actual costs will vary based on driving habits, insurance, maintenance, energy prices, and other factors not modeled here.

Who Built This

This tool was built and is maintained by Muster Systems LLC, a software development company. We built it because we found ourselves doing these calculations in spreadsheets and figured others would benefit from a cleaner, guided interface.

The calculator is entirely client-side (no backend) and is built with TypeScript and Vite. It has no runtime dependencies and no tracking beyond Google AdSense ads, which fund the hosting costs.

Contact

Disclaimer

Results produced by this calculator are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making significant financial decisions.