The five big costs
Depreciation, fuel/electricity, insurance, maintenance/repairs and financing interest. AAA's annual study puts the average new car at roughly $12,000/year over five years — about $1,000/month before parking and tolls.
Fuel and energy
A 25-mpg car driven 12,000 miles a year on $3.50 gas costs $1,680/year. An equivalent EV at $0.15/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh costs about $515/year — but home charging access matters enormously. Public DC fast charging can cost as much as gas.
Insurance
Driven by vehicle value, your driving record, ZIP code, age and credit. A new sports car for a young driver can run $4,000+/year; the same driver in a midsize sedan might pay $1,400. Get quotes before you buy — premiums vary 3–4x between models.
Maintenance and repairs
Toyota and Honda average $400–500/year for the first five years. German luxury averages $900–1,200/year and spikes once the factory warranty expires. Out-of-warranty Range Rover, Maserati and Bentley repairs commonly exceed the car's resale value.
Hidden costs
Tires for a performance car can cost $1,500–3,000 a set and only last 10,000–20,000 miles. Brake jobs on carbon-ceramic systems run $15,000+. Premium-fuel-only engines add 10–15% to every gas stop. Factor these in before buying.