{
  "asOf": "2026-08-27",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute VehCalc (vehcalc.com).",
  "source": {
    "label": "Illustrative total-cost-of-ownership ranges synthesized from public industry averages (auto loan payment surveys, insurer rate tables, depreciation curves). Figures are planning estimates, NOT quotes.",
    "retrieved": "2026-08-27",
    "note": "Always confirm with a live loan, insurance, and dealer quote before deciding. Ranges reflect U.S. averages; your zip, credit, and usage shift them materially."
  },
  "avgMonthlyPayment2026": {
    "newCar": { "low": 680, "typical": 745, "note": "Approximate average new-car monthly payment, 2026." },
    "usedCar": { "low": 520, "typical": 590, "note": "Approximate average used-car monthly payment, 2026." }
  },
  "segments": [
    {
      "segment": "Subcompact / Compact",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 22000, "high": 30000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 180, "high": 260 },
        "fuel": { "low": 110, "high": 170 },
        "insurance": { "low": 120, "high": 200 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 60, "high": 110 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 25, "high": 60 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 380 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 475, "financed": 815 }
    },
    {
      "segment": "Midsize Sedan",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 28000, "high": 38000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 230, "high": 330 },
        "fuel": { "low": 120, "high": 180 },
        "insurance": { "low": 130, "high": 220 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 65, "high": 120 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 30, "high": 70 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 470 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 565, "financed": 985 }
    },
    {
      "segment": "Compact / Midsize SUV",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 33000, "high": 48000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 280, "high": 420 },
        "fuel": { "low": 140, "high": 220 },
        "insurance": { "low": 150, "high": 260 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 70, "high": 130 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 35, "high": 80 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 560 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 675, "financed": 1175 }
    },
    {
      "segment": "Full-size Pickup",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 42000, "high": 68000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 360, "high": 600 },
        "fuel": { "low": 200, "high": 340 },
        "insurance": { "low": 170, "high": 320 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 90, "high": 170 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 40, "high": 95 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 740 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 860, "financed": 1520 }
    },
    {
      "segment": "Electric (C-segment)",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 36000, "high": 52000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 420, "high": 640 },
        "fuel": { "low": 50, "high": 110 },
        "insurance": { "low": 160, "high": 290 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 45, "high": 90 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 30, "high": 90 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 600 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 705, "financed": 1305 }
    },
    {
      "segment": "Luxury (entry)",
      "purchasePrice": { "low": 48000, "high": 75000 },
      "monthly": {
        "depreciation": { "low": 520, "high": 880 },
        "fuel": { "low": 160, "high": 280 },
        "insurance": { "low": 220, "high": 420 },
        "maintenance": { "low": 110, "high": 220 },
        "feesAndTax": { "low": 45, "high": 110 },
        "financing": { "low": 0, "high": 820 }
      },
      "monthlyTotalTypical": { "ownedOutright": 1060, "financed": 1840 }
    }
  ],
  "decisionHeuristics": {
    "repairVsSell": "If a single repair exceeds ~50% of the car's current private-sale value and the car is past its reliability sweet spot, selling/donating before the repair usually beats fixing. Use the worksheet to compare repair cost against 12 months of replacement TCO.",
    "leaseEarlyTermination": "Ending a lease early typically costs the remaining payments minus the car's realized trade/auction value, plus a disposition fee. Compare that against keeping it to term before deciding."
  }
}