Used Car Price Comparison

The Used Car Price Comparison calculator evaluates the value difference between two used cars based on their mileage, price and mileage life expectancy. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• ($A) Price of Car A
• (MA) Miles on Car A
• (xA) Mileage Life Expectancy of Car A
• ($B) Price of Car B
• (MB) Miles on Car B
• (xB) Mileage Life Expectancy  of Car B

Used Car Price Comparison (UCPC): The calculator returns the cost per mile to reach the mileage life expectancy.

The Math / Science

The Used Car Price Comparison equation allows you to compare and level out the selling prices of two cars by determining the cost per mile until the vehicle would reach your final mileage.

You've settled on a particular used car, but how can you compare the prices and mileages of the same model offered at different dealers that have different prices and mileages?
Let's say you plan to keep the vehicle until 200,000 miles.  Which is the better deal, a car with 120,000 miles selling for $8999 or the same car with 95,000 miles selling somewhere else for $10,899?

(Of course there are many considerations to make when selecting a vehicle, so this equation makes many assumptions; for example, neither vehicle was in an accident or has other diminished value, they were maintained similarly, same trim package, etc.)

NOTE: This formula DOES NOT take into account:

• CONDITION OF THE VEHICLES
• WARANTEE STATUS
• QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCES
• MILES PER GALLON OF THE VEHICLES
• RESALE VALUE

It's meant for an apples to apples comparison of comparable vehicles with differing mileage and prices.

Vehicle Life Expectancy

ChatGPT provided the following guidance when asked, "What 50 vehicle have the longest life expectancy in mileage?"

Here are some of the vehicles with the longest life expectancy in mileage:

1. Toyota Sequoia - 296,509 miles
2. Toyota Land Cruiser - 280,236 miles
3. Chevrolet Suburban - 265,732 miles
4. Toyota Tundra - 256,022 miles
5. GMC Yukon XL - 252,360 miles
6. Toyota Prius - 250,601 miles
7. Chevrolet Tahoe - 250,338 miles
8. Honda Ridgeline - 248,669 miles
9. Toyota Avalon - 245,710 miles
10. Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 244,994 miles
11. Ford Expedition - 244,682 miles
12. Toyota 4Runner - 244,665 miles
13. Toyota Sienna - 239,607 miles
14. GMC Yukon - 238,956 miles
15. Honda Pilot - 236,807 miles
16. Honda Odyssey - 235,852 miles
17. Toyota Tacoma - 235,070 miles
18. Nissan Titan - 233,295 miles
19. Ford F-150 - 232,650 miles
20. Toyota Camry Hybrid - 230,547 miles

Other vehicles frequently mentioned for their longevity include:

• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• Subaru Legacy
• Volkswagen Golf

These vehicles have been recognized for their ability to reach and often exceed 250,000 miles with proper maintenance and care​ (Autoblog)​​ (iSeeCars)​​ (Autoblog)​​ (Motor Illustrated)​.

Vehicle Calculators

• Approach (Departure) Angle: Computes the maximum angle of a ramp onto which a vehicle can climb without scraping.
• Degree to Percent Grade: Converts a grade to a degree angle.
• Camber angle - Wheel camber (tilt) calculation of angle
• Camber offset - Wheel camber (tilt) calculation of offset
• Breakover Angle: Compute maximum angle that a vehicle can drive over without the ground touching the vehicle's undercarriage.  
• Time to Overtake: Computes the time for one object to overtake another.
• Distance to Overtake: Computes distance traveled to overtake another.
• Speed to Overtake: Computes the average velocity to overtake another.
• Distance Traveled: Computes the distance traveled over a period of time.
• Speed from Skid Marks: Estimates the speed of a vehicle based on length of skid marks.
• Braking Distance: Estimates distance to stop a vehicle based on initial velocity and braking coefficient.
• Total Stopping Distance: Computes the distance to stop a vehicle based on the initial velocity, reaction time and a braking coefficient.
• Speed from the Braking Distance: Estimates the initial speed based on the distance to stop a vehicle and the a braking coefficient.
• Used Car Price Comparison: Estimates the better value between two vehicles based on their mileage, cost and expected lifespan (miles).
• Belt Length: Computes the length of a belt that goes around two pulleys based on the pulley diameters and the distance between the axles.
• Belt Speed: Computes the speed at which a linear length of belt travels around a pulley  based on the diameter of the pulley and the rotation rate.
• Pulley RPMs: Computes the RPMs of a pulley based on the belt speed and diameter of the pulley.
• 2nd Pulley RPMs: Computes the RPMs of a second pulley based on the the RPMs and Diameter of the first pulley and the diameter of the second pulley.
• 2nd Pulley Diameter: Computes the diameter of a second pulley based on the RPMs and diameter of the first pulley and the RPMs of the second pulley.
• RPM of 4th pulley on three shafts: Computes the RPMs (rotation rate) of a pulley when the RPM and Diameters are known for a series of pulleys on three axles.
• 2nd Gear RPM: Calculates the RPMs of a second gear when the RPMs and number of teeth are known for the first gear and the number of teeth of the second gear is known,
• 2nd Gear Torque: Calculates the torque of a second gear when the torque and number of teeth are known for the first gear and the number of teeth of the second gear is known,