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Your decisions are stored securely in our database with encryption. We never sell your data or share it with third parties. The AI analysis happens on secure servers and isn't used to train AI models. You can delete your account and all data at any time from the app settings.

How much does Dcider cost?

Dcider offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. After that, it's $4.99/month or $44.99/year (25% off). The free trial doesn't require a credit card to start.

How is this different from a pros and cons list?

Traditional pros/cons lists treat all factors equally and rely on your in-the-moment thinking. Dcider weighs options against your pre-defined personal values, providing an objective alignment score. The AI also surfaces considerations you might miss and tracks patterns across all your decisions over time.

Does the AI make decisions for me?

No. Dcider provides analysis and alignment scores, but you always make the final choice. Think of it as a thinking partner that helps you see how options align with what you've said matters to you. The goal is clarity, not automation.

Can I use Dcider offline?

You can view your decision history and values offline. However, AI-powered analysis requires an internet connection since it's processed on secure cloud servers.

What kind of decisions is Dcider best for?

Dcider works great for career choices, financial decisions, relationship questions, health and lifestyle changes, and any decision where you want to align your choice with your personal values. It's especially helpful when you're overthinking or facing analysis paralysis.

How do I set up my values?

When you first open the app, you'll go through a quick onboarding where you select values that matter to you (like health, family, growth, financial security) and rate their importance. You can always adjust these later in Settings.

Is Dcider available on Android?

Currently, Dcider is iOS-only. We're focused on making the iOS experience great first. Android support may come in the future based on demand.

FinanceUpdated Jan 2026

Should I Buy a Car? A Values-Based Decision Framework

You need reliable transportation but feel overwhelmed by choices: new or used, buy or lease, sedan or SUV, and at what price point. Cars are expensive depreciating assets, and you want to make a practical choice without feeling like you're either overspending or settling for something unsafe.

Key Takeaway

This decision is fundamentally about Financial Prudence vs. Reliability. Your choice will also impact your safety.

The Core Values at Stake

This decision touches on several fundamental values that may be in tension with each other:

Financial Prudence

Your desire to make a smart financial choice. Cars depreciate rapidly—consider how much of your wealth you want tied up in transportation.

Reliability

Your need for dependable transportation. Evaluate the trade-offs between new car warranty and proven used car track records.

Safety

Your priority on protecting yourself and passengers. Modern safety features may justify the premium of newer vehicles.

Comfort and Enjoyment

Your desire for a pleasant driving experience. Consider how much daily satisfaction matters vs. pure practicality.

Environmental Impact

Your concern about your vehicle's footprint. Evaluate electric, hybrid, or fuel-efficient options against your priorities.

5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Before making this decision, work through these questions honestly:

1How much can I truly afford without straining my budget?
2Do I need a car, or are there alternatives (public transit, car-sharing)?
3How long do I plan to keep this vehicle?
4What do I actually need vs. what do I want?
5Am I emotionally attached to having a new car, and is that worth the premium?

Key Considerations

As you weigh this decision, keep these important factors in mind:

Total cost of ownership (payment, insurance, maintenance, fuel)

New vs. used vs. certified pre-owned trade-offs

Buy vs. lease analysis for your situation

Your commute and driving patterns

Resale value and depreciation curves

Financing options and interest rates

Your mechanical aptitude or access to trusted mechanics

Watch Out For: Lifestyle Creep Bias

We tend to buy more car than we need because we can 'afford the payment.' Car payments stretch budgets and delay wealth building. A reliable used car for half the price builds the same equity in your finances as an expensive new one, often faster.

Make This Decision With Clarity

Don't just guess. Use Dcider to calculate your alignment score and make decisions that truly reflect your values.

Download on the App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy new or used?

Used is often the better financial choice—new cars lose 20-30% of value in the first year. The sweet spot is typically 2-4 years old with low miles: significant depreciation absorbed, but years of reliable service remaining. New can make sense if you'll keep it 10+ years or need specific features.

How much car can I afford?

A common guideline: total vehicle costs (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance) should be under 15-20% of take-home pay. Better yet, buy a car you can pay cash for. Avoid 6-7 year loans that indicate you're buying too much car.

Is leasing a car ever a good idea?

For most people, no—leasing typically costs more long-term and you build no equity. However, it can make sense if: you have business write-off benefits, you want predictable costs and always-new reliability, or you drive low miles and value having the latest features.

Should I buy an electric car?

Depends on your driving patterns and charging access. EVs have lower fuel and maintenance costs but higher purchase prices. They work best with home charging for daily commuting. Do the total cost of ownership math for your specific situation.

Related Decisions

Should I Start a Budget?

You know you should budget, but the idea feels restrictive, overwhelming, or like admitting you're bad with money. Past budgeting attempts may have failed, leaving you skeptical that this time would be different. Yet you're tired of wondering where your money goes.

Should I Pay Off Debt Early?

You have extra money and face a choice: throw it at debt or invest it. The math might favor one option, but the psychological weight of debt—the monthly payments, the feeling of owing—makes the decision more complicated than a spreadsheet suggests.

Should I Invest or Save?

You've accumulated some money and face the eternal question: keep it safe in savings or put it to work in the market? The fear of losing money battles the fear of missing out on growth. You want to make a smart choice but feel overwhelmed by options.

People Also Considered

Similar decisions in other areas of life:

Adopt a Minimalist Lifestyle Quit My Job Move to a New City

Sources

Busse, M. R., et al. (2013). Projection bias in the car and housing markets. American Economic Review.
Langer, A., & Miller, N. (2013). Automobile prices, gasoline prices, and consumer demand. American Economic Journal.

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