Leasing vs. Buying

Leases and loans are simply two different methods of automobile financing. One finances the use of a vehicle; the other finances the purchase of a vehicle. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

It’s not possible to simply say that one is always better than the other because the answer depends on each specific situation.

When making a ‘lease or buy’ decision you must look not only at financial comparisons but also at your own personal priorities – what’s important to you.

Is having a new vehicle every two or three years with no major repair risks more important than long-term cost? Or are long term cost savings more important than lower monthly payments? Is having some ownership in your vehicle more important than low up-front costs and no down payment? Is it important to you to pay off your vehicle and be debt-free for a while, even if it means higher monthly payments for the first few years?

So, making the lease or buy decision is not quite cut and dry. There are things you need to consider. Let’s take a look at some of these things.

First, is to understand that buying and leasing are fundamentally different, not just two versions of the same thing.

Buying and leasing are different

When you buy, you pay for the entire cost of a vehicle, regardless of how many miles you drive it. You typically make a down payment, pay sales taxes in cash or roll them into your loan, and pay an interest rate determined by your loan company, based on your credit history. You make your first payment a month after you sign your contract.

When you lease, you pay for only a portion of vehicle’s cost, which is the part that you “use up” during the time you’re driving it. You have the option of not making a down payment, you pay sales tax only on your monthly payments (in most states), and you pay a financial rate, called money factor, that is similar to the interest rate on a loan.