$12K Used Car Real Cost Over 5 Years: ~$28K (New Runs ~$32K)
5-year-old used car at $12K: + $12K repairs + $1.8K financing premium + $2.5K fuel penalty = ~$28,300 total. Same car bought new at $30K runs ~$32,000 over the same 5 years. Used wins, but not by as much as the sticker suggests.