Personal Insights

Should I lease or buy a car?

Does it make better sense to lease or buy a car? That depends on a number of factors, such as the residual value of the car you intend to purchase, the amount of money you pay up front as a capitalized cost reduction and the cost of financing. With a lease, you usually will pay less than with a vehicle purchase over a comparable term. Keep in mind that with a lease, you will have to return the vehicle at the end of the lease term and you may have to pay additional amounts for excessive “wear and tear” on the vehicle, whereas with a purchase you will own the vehicle and will be able to continue driving it after the term expires.

Use this calculator to determine whether you should lease or buy a car.