Car Repair vs. Replace Decision Calculator
PROMake data-driven car repair or replace decisions with Total Cost of Ownership analysis, break-even calculations, and sunk cost awareness to avoid costly mistakes.
Example Usage
“I have a 2012 Honda Accord with 160k miles worth about $5,000. The transmission just failed and the shop wants $2,800 to fix it. I’ve spent $500 on other repairs this year. A replacement car would cost me $400/month. Should I fix it or buy a new one? Please run the 50% Rule, Monthly Payment Equivalent, and Break-Even Analysis for me.”
How to Use This Skill
Copy the skill using the button above
Paste into your AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)
Fill in your inputs below (optional) and copy to include with your prompt
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Suggested Customization
| Description | Default | Your Value |
|---|---|---|
| My current repair estimate | 0 | |
| My vehicle market value | 0 | |
| My monthly replacement cost | 500 | |
| My insurance increase | 50 | |
| My months life extension | 6 | |
| My past year repair total | 0 |
Transform stressful car repair decisions into confident, data-driven choices. This skill applies professional financial analysis frameworks—the 50% Rule, Monthly Payment Equivalent, Break-Even Analysis, and Total Cost of Ownership calculations—to determine whether repairing your current vehicle or purchasing a replacement is the smarter financial move.
Who This Is For
- Vehicle owners facing expensive repair bills (transmission, engine, major systems)
- Budget-conscious drivers wanting to avoid emotional decisions
- Gig economy workers (Uber, Lyft, delivery) whose income depends on vehicle reliability
- First-time car buyers learning to evaluate automotive expenses
What You’ll Get
- Multiple financial frameworks applied to your specific situation
- Clear break-even calculations showing exactly how long a repair must last
- Sunk cost awareness to avoid the “I’ve already spent so much” trap
- Replacement vehicle guidance if the numbers favor buying
- Psychological factor assessment for reliability anxiety and peace of mind
Research Sources
This skill was built using research from these authoritative sources:
- AAA Your Driving Costs 2024 The industry standard for calculating true cost of driving, including depreciation, fuel, and maintenance (avg. $12,182/year in 2024)
- Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Methodology and award list breaking down ownership costs for benchmarking replacement cars
- Edmunds: Fix It or Trade It? Comprehensive guide covering repair math, tax credits, and insurance implications
- Consumer Reports: When to Give Up on Your Car Reliability data and rule-of-thumb advice on when a car becomes a money pit
- NerdWallet: Should I Fix My Car or Buy a New One? Financial perspective with calculator-style approach to monthly payments vs. repair bills
- Investopedia: Sunk Cost Fallacy Explains the psychological trap critical for objective car decisions
- CarMD Vehicle Health Index Data on average repair costs for different issues by make and model
- Reddit r/PersonalFinance Discussion Real-world application of the 50% rule and monthly payment equivalent math