Car Lease vs. Buy Calculator
Compare total cost of leasing vs. buying the same car over the years you plan to keep it.
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Leasing wins
$179.69
Net buy $35,579.69 vs lease $35,400.00
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How it works
We compare the total out-of-pocket cost to own (down + payments minus rough equity remaining) against repeating leases for the same number of years.
Frequently asked questions
When does leasing make sense?
If you want a new car every 2–3 years, drive under typical mileage caps, and don't care about ownership.
When does buying win?
Almost always when you keep the car 6+ years. Owning past payoff is the cheapest way to drive.
What's a money factor?
It's the lease's interest rate expressed differently — multiply by 2400 to convert to an APR.
Mileage overages?
Typical leases penalize at $0.20–$0.30 per mile over the limit. Cap a planned road trip first.
Can I buy at lease end?
Yes — at the residual value. Sometimes a smart move if the car held value better than expected.
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