Should you keep your car — or buy the one you're eyeing?
Find out what switching cars will really cost, whether the upgrade is worth it, and if the new car fits your life. Get one clear answer: KEEP or BUY.
Free to use. No dealer calls. No pressure to buy.
Example result
Next 36 months
Current
2022 Cadillac CT5
48,200 mi · $18,400 payoff
Replacement
2027 Tesla Model 3
12,600 mi · $38,900 price
Carvest Recommendation
KEEP
Save $8,822
over the next 3 years
The Tesla is a strong fit — but not worth an extra $8,822.
Upgrade Score
60/100
Meaningful Upgrade
Your Fit
74/100
Strong Match
- Buying costs
- $214/mo more
- Your equity if you keep
- $4,120
- CT5 mileage at 36 mo
- 94,200 mi
Why does Carvest recommend KEEP?
KEEP isn't a dead end
Still want to upgrade?
Explore nearby cars that earned a BUY recommendation.
Illustrative examples · not live listings
2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
$32,900 · 18,400 mi · 12 mi away
Upgrade Score
72/100
Your Fit
81/100
2023 BMW i4 eDrive35
$34,600 · 15,200 mi · 21 mi away
Upgrade Score
68/100
Your Fit
78/100
How it works
Three steps to a clear answer.
- 01
Enter Your Cars
Tell Carvest what you drive and what you're considering buying.
- 02
Get Your KEEP or BUY Result
See the financial tradeoff, Upgrade Score, and Fit Score in one clear recommendation.
- 03
Explore Your Options
See better BUY alternatives or ask Carvest questions about your results.
One decision. Three factors.
Money, upgrade, and you.
Financial Tradeoff
Dollars over 36 months
Your total position after 36 months — what you still owe, what the car is worth, and everything you paid along the way. Not just the monthly payment.
Upgrade Score
Scored 0–100
How much better the replacement really is. A car can be a genuine upgrade and still be a poor financial move.
Newer & lower-mileage
15/25
Reliability improvement
9/15
Operating-cost improvement
9/15
Vehicle & feature step-up
27/45
Example: 60/100
Your Fit
Scored 0–100
Tell Carvest what matters most — reliability, running costs, performance, comfort, technology, or practicality — and see how well the replacement matches.
Together they give you one Carvest Recommendation — not just the cheapest choice, the choice that makes the most sense for you.
Ask Carvest
What if the numbers change? Just ask.
Explore different scenarios, ask questions about your result, and understand what could change your recommendation.
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What if I negotiate $4,000 off the Tesla?
Carvest
A lower price shrinks the gap. Carvest re-runs the full 36 months at the new price — financing, taxes and ending equity included — and tells you whether KEEP still wins.
What if I drive 20,000 miles a year?
Carvest
More miles mean the Tesla's lower energy and upkeep costs count for more, while the CT5 ages faster. Carvest updates both sides and shows how far the result moves.
Why did Carvest recommend KEEP?
Carvest
The Tesla saves on energy, but its financing, acquisition costs and ending equity more than offset those savings over 3 years.
Illustrative example conversation. Ask Carvest is available on your results page.
Why Carvest
Real numbers. No sales pitch.
Carvest helps you understand the full cost of keeping or replacing your car — without pushing you toward a purchase.
Carvest doesn't sell cars, loans or insurance. Every estimate is labeled, sourced where possible, and editable.
Built for US drivers weighing a new car, a big repair or a tempting upgrade — before they talk to a dealer. How Carvest works
Data Carvest draws on
- Government vehicle & spec data
- EPA fuel-economy ratings
- Fuel & electricity cost estimates
- Vehicle value estimates
- Maintenance & repair data
- State tax and fee rules
See how Carvest calculates your results
Behind every recommendation is a 36-month ownership model for both cars. It combines your financing, current equity, future vehicle value, depreciation, fuel or charging, insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes and fees — then weighs that financial tradeoff alongside how meaningful the upgrade is and how well the replacement fits what matters to you.
What you own
- Vehicle value
- Loan payoff
- Trade equity
- Ending value
- Ending loan balance
- Ending equity
What switching costs
- Purchase price
- Financing
- Interest
- Taxes & fees
- Down payment
- Depreciation
What it costs to run
- Fuel or charging
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- Tires
- Subscriptions
- Mileage reimbursement where applicable
Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter and available vehicle, value, tax and cost data. They are not guarantees of future costs or values.
Don't guess it. Carvest it.
Find out whether your next car is actually worth the switch.
Estimates are clearly labeled and always editable. Figures shown on this page are examples.