Leasing vs Buying Guide 

Leasing: The Future of Car Ownership!

Automotive lease volume reached an all-time record level in 2016 of 4.3 million vehicles and accounted for 31 percent of all new vehicle sales. Nearly one third of millennials who purchased a new vehicle in 2016 decided to lease. For decades now, a sizeable proportion of luxury cars have been leased. But that has changed, with more compact cars, mainstream sedans, and small SUVs entering the new-car lease market, as well. Attractive finance rates have made some leases pretty good deals.

How Loans and Leases Differ

 

BUYING

LEASING

Ownership

You own the vehicle and get to keep it as long as you want it.

You don’t own the vehicle. You get to use it but must return it at the end of the lease unless you decide to buy it.

Up-Front Costs

They include the cash price or a down payment, taxes, registration, and other fees.

They can include the first month’s payment, a refundable security deposit, an acquisition fee, a down payment, taxes, registration, and other fees.

Monthly Payments

Loan payments are usually higher than lease payments because you’re paying off the entire purchase price of the vehicle, plus interest and other finance charges, taxes, and fees.

Lease payments are almost always lower than loan payments because you’re paying only for the vehicle’s depreciation during the lease term, plus interest charges (called rent charges), taxes, and fees.

Early Termination

You can sell or trade in your vehicle at any time. If necessary, money from the sale can be used to pay off any loan balance.

If you end the lease early, charges can be as costly as sticking with the contract. On occasion a dealer may buy the car from the leasing company as a trade-in, letting you off the hook.

Vehicle Return

You’ll have to deal with selling or trading in your car when you decide you want a different one.

You return the vehicle at lease-end, pay any end-of-lease costs, and walk away.

Future Value

The vehicle will depreciate, but its cash value is yours to use as you like.

On the plus side, its future value doesn’t affect you financially. On the negative side, you don’t have any equity in the vehicle.

Mileage

You’re free to drive as many miles as you want. But keep in mind that higher mileage lowers the vehicle’s trade-in or resale value.

Most leases limit the number of miles you may drive, often 12,000 to 15,000 per year. (You can negotiate a higher mileage limit.) You’ll have to pay charges for exceeding your limits.

Excessive Wear and Tear

You don’t have to worry about wear and tear, but it could lower the vehicle’s trade-in or resale value.

Most leases hold you responsible. You’ll have to pay extra charges for exceeding what is considered normal wear and tear.

End of Term

At the end of the loan term, you have no further payments and you have built equity to help pay for your next vehicle.

At the end of the lease (usually two to three years), you can finance the purchase of the car, or lease or buy another.