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🏦 Car Financing

Lease vs Buy Calculator

Compare the real cost of leasing against financing the same car over the same period.

Your numbers

Lease total cost

$17,620

Buy net cost

$22,371

after resale, minus loan owed

Leasing saves

$4,751

Buy: cash paid over period$28,636
Buy: resale value at end$20,900
Buy: loan still owed at end$14,635
Buy: equity you keep$6,265
Lease: you own nothing at end$0

Insight — Leasing usually wins on monthly cash flow; buying usually wins on long-term cost because you keep the car's resale value. If you sell before the loan is paid off, the balance you still owe eats into that equity — which is why buying pays off most when you keep the car well past the loan.

What if Comparison period changes?

Comparison periodLease total cost
24 mo $12,580
36 mo · now$17,620
48 mo $22,660
60 mo $27,700

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Good to know

Clear, practical answers about the lease vs buy calculator.

Is it cheaper to lease or buy a car?

Over a single 2–3 year term leasing can look cheaper monthly, but buying is almost always cheaper long term because you keep the car's resale value instead of handing it back. If you keep cars 6+ years, buying wins decisively.