Is it better to own your car?

Asked by: Asha Wiegand II  |  Last update: September 30, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)

Leasing typically offers lower monthly payments and may require a smaller down payment, making it more attractive to people who need lower upfront costs. However, buying a car might be the better option for long-term savings if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.

Is it really worth owning a car?

A car is beneficial to your quality of life, but it typically won't provide a good return on your investment. In just the first year of ownership, a vehicle can lose up to 20% of its value. This rapid depreciation makes buying a vehicle a bad investment option.

Is it better to have your own car?

Having your car gives you more flexibility when it comes to working. If you're someone who often has to drive to meet clients or travel for work, having your car makes things much easier. You can avoid relying on others for rides, and you'll have more control over your schedule.

What is the 20/4-10 rule for buying a car?

20% down — be able to pay 20% or more of the total purchase price up front. 4-year loan — be able to pay off the balance in 48 months or fewer. 10% of your income — your total monthly auto costs (including insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments) should be 10% or less of your monthly income.

What are the disadvantages of owning a car?

Costs
  • Gas.
  • Auto insurance.
  • Registration fees.
  • Routine maintenance.
  • Repairs.
  • Tickets.
  • Parking costs.

ACCOUNTANT EXPLAINS Should You Buy, Finance or Lease a New Car

23 related questions found

Is it cheaper to not own a car?

Yes, it is cheaper not to own a car. You will save money on the cost of a car, interest if there would have been a loan involved, gas, insurance, and maintenance. That being said, it depends on the specific situation.

What are 3 disadvantages of ownership?

Disadvantages of Small Business Ownership
  • Financial risk. The financial resources needed to start and grow a business can be extensive. ...
  • Stress. As a business owner, you are the business. ...
  • Time commitment. People often start businesses so that they'll have more time to spend with their families. ...
  • Undesirable duties.

How much should I spend on a car if I make $60,000?

A person making $60,000 per year can afford about a $40,000 car based on calculating 15% of their monthly take-home pay and a 20% down payment on the car of $7,900. However, every person's finances are different and you might find that a car payment of approximately $600 per month is not affordable for you.

What is the golden rule of buying a car?

Following the 20/4/10 rule has long been a good rule of thumb for buying a new car. The idea is you can comfortably pay off a car loan if you put more than 20% down, your loan term is around 4 years, and your car payment plus insurance and maintenance costs are 10% of your monthly income.

Is $2000 a good down payment on a car?

How much should you put down on a car? A down payment between 10 to 20 percent of the vehicle price is the general recommendation.

How many years should you keep a car?

How long you should keep a car is up to you. Some estimates suggest the average length of ownership of a new vehicle in the U.S. is more than 8 years. “Average” is the operative word here. Some people trade automobiles like baseball cards, while others drive a car until the wheels fall off.

Is a 7 year old car too old?

Vehicles 2-3 years old have newer safety features and fewer age-related repairs but have higher prices. Used cars 5-7 years old typically have lower prices while still having modern features that impact your daily driving experience. They might need repairs every couple of years.

How expensive of a car should you own?

Here's the deal: The car you can afford is the car you can pay for in cash. And as a general rule, the total value of all your vehicles combined shouldn't be more than half your annual income. We'll break down what that means and walk you through how much you should spend on a car.

What is the best age to sell a car?

That's how much the car's value decreases over time. According to Edmunds, there's a significant drop in the first 2-3 years, and another at the four-year mark. Selling in between those drops will generally net you the best value. After that, the next big drop usually happens at around eight years.

At what mileage should a car be replaced?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

Is a 12 year old car too old?

Cars older than eight to 10 years will be a riskier option, depending on the driving and maintenance history, while vehicles over 15 to 20 are usually nearing the end of their service lives.

How much should I spend on a car if I make $300,000?

Then some frugal personal-finance gurus say you should spend no more than 10%-15% of your annual income on a vehicle purchase. Pretax, post-tax, annual income; these terms are enough to make a person ask: "How much car can I afford?"

What is the 1 10 car rule?

Remembering that total car costs include insurance, maintenance and gas (not to mention parking and traffic tickets!), if you can manage to spend only one-tenth of your gross income on a new-to-you car, the financial benefits are plentiful. Here are three reasons to try the 1/10th rule the next time you buy a car.

What's a good down payment on a 30k car?

As a general rule, you should pay 20 percent of the price of the vehicle as a down payment. That's because vehicles lose value, or depreciate, rapidly.

Is leasing a car a good idea?

Leasing helps protect you against unanticipated depreciation. If the market value of your car unexpectedly drops, your decision to lease will prove to be a wise financial move. If the leased car holds its value well, you can typically buy it at a good price at the end of the lease and keep it or decide to resell it.

How much is too much car payment?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment. If that leaves you feeling you can afford only a beat-up jalopy, don't despair.

What are the cons of buying a house?

Disadvantages of Owning a Home
  • Costs for home maintenance and repairs can impact savings quickly.
  • Moving into a home can be costly.
  • A longer commitment will be required vs. ...
  • Mortgage payments can be higher than rental payments.
  • Property taxes will cost you extra — over and above the expense of your mortgage.

Is it worth having a small business?

Small business ownership can be incredibly rewarding if your business ideas succeed. You get to watch customers enjoy your products or services and have their needs fulfilled. You also see the financial rewards of selling your product or service.

What are the consequences of not taking ownership?

This behavior can lead to a lack of accountability, resentment, and negative relationships with others. People may start to avoid us or lose trust in us, which can have a detrimental effect on our personal and professional lives. We also can't problem solve with others if we can't own our part and stay on our side.