About TreadCost

TreadCost is edited by Maya Chen, a former fleet analyst who spent seven years calculating total cost of ownership for municipal vehicle procurement. She launched this publication after realizing consumers had no equivalent resource—just dealership financing offers and vague advice to "buy used."

Our editorial method is straightforward: we model real ownership scenarios using verified data (insurance quotes, regional fuel prices, manufacturer service schedules, actual depreciation curves from auction data). When we recommend a repair-or-replace threshold, we show the spreadsheet. When we compare driving to transit, we account for parking, time value, and the trips transit can't make.

We don't accept advertising from automakers, dealerships, or auto lenders. Reader funding and selective affiliate relationships with insurance comparison tools keep us independent. Contact: [email protected]. We read everything.