Question 1

How much does a car cost per second?

Accepted Answer

The average new car costs between $0.0003 and $0.002 per second when you combine depreciation, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. A Ford F-150 costs roughly $0.00049/sec; a Tesla Model 3 around $0.00038/sec. Use Money Burner to calculate your exact vehicle.

Question 2

What is the true cost of owning a car per year?

Accepted Answer

True cost of car ownership includes depreciation (largest factor at 40–60%), fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration, and financing interest. For the average new car in the US this totals $10,000–$15,000 per year. Luxury and electric vehicles vary significantly.

Question 3

Which car loses value the fastest?

Accepted Answer

Among mainstream vehicles, the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, and Chevrolet Blazer EV have the highest first-year depreciation rates (26–31%). Among luxury vehicles, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Land Rover models typically lose 23–28% of value in year one.

Question 4

Is it cheaper to own an EV or a gas car?

Accepted Answer

EVs typically cost less to fuel and maintain but depreciate faster and have higher upfront prices. Over 5 years, a Tesla Model 3 and Honda Civic have comparable total costs — but the EV wins on fuel savings while the gas car wins on depreciation stability. Compare them live on Money Burner.

Watch Two Cars Burn

5-year cost comparison