Text Analysis & GenerationPlanningFinance

Car Ownership Cost Breakdown (TCO)

Compute TCO over a specified period with unit/currency normalization, structured breakdown by component, per‑year/per‑mile totals, explicit assumptions, formulas, and fuel/distance sensitivity.

Prompt Content

Calculate the total cost of car ownership over the specified period and provide a clear breakdown by component. CAR_DETAILS: <car-details> Car Details </car-details> USAGE_PATTERN: <usage-pattern> Usage Pattern </usage-pattern> LOCAL_COSTS: <local-costs> Local Costs </local-costs> 1) Parse inputs and standardize units/currency; derive period (years) and total distance (annual × years). If km or L/100km are given, convert to miles and mpg unless otherwise stated. 2) Compute component costs over the period: • Depreciation = purchase price - expected resale value. If resale or rate not provided, estimate a reasonable rate for the vehicle's age/segment and state it. • Financing interest = total interest over the ownership period if APR/term/down payment provided; otherwise mark as N/A (excluded). • Fuel/Energy = annual distance × (fuel/energy per distance) × local price. Use mpg or L/100km for gasoline/diesel; kWh/100 mi (or kWh/100 km) for EVs. For PHEVs/hybrids, use provided usage split; if none, assume 70% gasoline/30% electric for PHEVs. • Insurance = stated annual (or monthly × 12) × years. • Maintenance & Repairs (incl. tires) = stated or estimated by age/mileage; state assumption if estimated. • Registration/Taxes/Inspection = stated or estimated by location; state assumption if estimated. • Parking & Tolls = stated recurring costs × years. • Other recurring costs = include and label. 3) Summarize totals: period total cost, cost per year, and cost per mile/km. 4) Output exactly this structure: Summary: - Period (years) and total miles/km - Total cost (period) - Cost per year - Cost per mile/km Cost breakdown (annual | period): - Depreciation: $A | $B - Financing interest: $A | $B - Fuel/Energy: $A | $B - Insurance: $A | $B - Maintenance & Repairs (incl. tires): $A | $B - Registration/Taxes/Inspection: $A | $B - Parking & Tolls: $A | $B - Other (list): $A | $B Assumptions (brief): - ... Formulas (brief): - Fuel/Energy etc. Sensitivity (±10% fuel price and ±10% annual distance): - Total cost (fuel -10%): $X; fuel +10%: $Y - Total cost (distance -10%): $X; distance +10%: $Y • Use the user's units and currency; show units/currency on every monetary or distance figure. • Round currency to whole units; show rates to 1 decimal. • Do not count loan principal as a cost; reflect vehicle value via depreciation. • If any input is missing or ambiguous, make a reasonable assumption and state it. • Be concise; no narrative beyond the specified sections.

Variables

Car Details: Make/model/year/trim; new/used; purchase price (and expected resale value or depreciation rate); fuel type and efficiency (e.g., 32 mpg, 6.9 L/100km, or 27 kWh/100 mi); financing details if any (APR, term in months, down payment).; Example: 2019 Toyota Camry SE, used. Purchase $22,000; expected resale $12,000 after 5 years. Gasoline, 32 mpg combined. Loan APR 5.0%, 60 months, $4,000 down.
Usage Pattern: Ownership period in years; annual distance with units (miles or km); city/highway mix if relevant; location (city/state or country); parking situation; typical toll usage.; Example: Period: 5 years; 12,000 miles/year; city/highway 60/40; location Austin, TX; street parking; tolls about $20/month.
Local Costs: Fuel price with units (e.g., $3.80/gal or $1.80/L); electricity price (e.g., $0.16/kWh) if applicable; annual or monthly insurance; typical annual maintenance if known; registration/taxes/inspection; parking; tolls; other recurring costs.; Example: Gasoline $3.80/gal; Insurance $1,400/year; Maintenance $500/year; Registration/inspection $150/year; Parking $0; Tolls $20/month; Electricity N/A.

Prompt Content

Variables

Car Details

Make/model/year/trim; new/used; purchase price (and expected resale value or depreciation rate); fuel type and efficiency (e.g., 32 mpg, 6.9 L/100km, or 27 kWh/100 mi); financing details if any (APR, term in months, down payment).

Example: 2019 Toyota Camry SE, used. Purchase $22,000; expected resale $12,000 after 5 years. Gasoline, 32 mpg combined. Loan APR 5.0%, 60 months, $4,000 down.

Usage Pattern

Ownership period in years; annual distance with units (miles or km); city/highway mix if relevant; location (city/state or country); parking situation; typical toll usage.

Example: Period: 5 years; 12,000 miles/year; city/highway 60/40; location Austin, TX; street parking; tolls about $20/month.

Local Costs

Fuel price with units (e.g., $3.80/gal or $1.80/L); electricity price (e.g., $0.16/kWh) if applicable; annual or monthly insurance; typical annual maintenance if known; registration/taxes/inspection; parking; tolls; other recurring costs.

Example: Gasoline $3.80/gal; Insurance $1,400/year; Maintenance $500/year; Registration/inspection $150/year; Parking $0; Tolls $20/month; Electricity N/A.