Lease vs Buy Car Calculator
See which is cheaper for your situation: total lease cost vs total loan cost over your holding period.
Your numbers never leave your browserEstimates only. Figures use sample assumptions and are not a quote. Confirm the final price, money factor, residual, fees and taxes with your dealer or lender. Not financial advice.
How lease vs buy is compared
We add up the true cost of each path over your holding period. For leasing, that is the down payment plus all the monthly lease payments and fees — you hand the car back. For buying, it is the down payment plus all the loan payments, minus the resale value you keep at the end. The difference is the number the calculator reports.
Why resale matters so much
When you buy, you own an asset you can sell. Subtracting an estimated resale value from the total cost of ownership is what often flips the answer in favour of buying for long holders, while shorter holders usually find leasing cheaper.
FAQ
Does leasing or buying cost less?
It depends on how long you keep the car and on current interest rates. This calculator compares total out-of-pocket, including the resale value you keep if you buy, so you can see which fits your situation.
What does the resale value assumption do?
When you buy, you own the car at the end and can sell it. We subtract an estimated resale percentage from the total cost of buying to show the net cost of ownership.
Why is the lease total lower sometimes?
Leases finance only the depreciation during your term, not the whole car, so monthly payments are often smaller. But you walk away with no asset at the end.
Are these numbers a real quote?
No. They use example assumptions for illustration only. Always confirm the final numbers with your dealer or lender. This site is not financial advice.
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