Provenance Perspective
Why a Five-Year-Old Porsche Might Be the Smartest Car You Never Considered
The depreciation curve is one of the most powerful and least understood forces in the automotive market. A vehicle that sold for $180,000 new can be accessed for a fraction of that cost just five years later — with its performance, character, and desirability essentially intact. Here is what that means for how you think about accessing a vehicle.
The Economics of Driving
The Real Cost of Your Car Lease — Every Fee, Exposed
The advertised monthly payment is not the real payment. Dealer fees, documentation fees, acquisition fees, disposition fees, and GAP insurance add hundreds to what you actually pay. We break down every line item the dealership does not volunteer — and show you what your money could get you instead.
Vehicle Spotlights
Inside the Porsche Panamera Turbo S: Why It Tops Our Fleet Scoring Model
Of 103 candidate vehicle series evaluated across acquisition economics, perceived value, and total cost of ownership, one scored highest across all three dimensions. We break down exactly why the Panamera Turbo S earned its place at the top — and what that score means for the driver.
Market Pulse
Record Negative Equity and Six-Year Loans — The Auto Finance Market Is Broken
In Q3 2025, 28.1% of all new car trade-ins carried negative equity — a four-year high. The average amount owed on those underwater loans hit an all-time record of $6,905. Among cars purchased since 2022, 44% are already underwater. This is not bad luck. It is the predictable result of a system designed around lender interests, not yours.
The Economics of Driving
What Is Residual Value and Why Should Every Car Buyer Understand It?
Residual value is the single most important number in automotive economics and almost no one outside the leasing industry understands how it works. It determines what your car is worth, what your lease payment costs, and — in the Provenance model — why you can drive a $180,000 vehicle for the monthly cost of financing a new mainstream alternative.
Automotive intelligence, delivered.
Market analysis, vehicle spotlights, and the economics of driving — for people who think carefully about how they access exceptional machines.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
The Provenance Journal publishes original analysis on automotive economics, vehicle selection, and the future of mobility. All market data referenced is sourced from Experian, Edmunds, S&P Global Mobility, Cox Automotive, and U.S. Census Bureau research.
Stay in the loop.
Secure your spot. Be among the first through the door.
Early members receive priority fleet access and equity in Provenance Motor Club. Your position in the queue is set by when you join.