💰 Leasing vs buying a car: pros and cons, plus the true cost
Reviews
Reviews of Leasing vs buying a car: pros and cons, plus the true cost
Finn
If you're staring down the classic lease-versus-buy dilemma, this calculator is a great place to start. It goes beyond simple monthly payments by calculating the Net Present Value (NPV) of both options, factoring in the opportunity cost of your cash. You'll want to keep in mind that it leaves out secondary variables like taxes, registration fees, and maintenance differences, which can vary between leasing and owning. Even with those simplifications, it provides a clear, mathematically sound bottom line to help you decide how to get your paws on your next car.
Reviewed v26.7.0
Sep 16, 2026
See more views
Based on "Should you Buy or Lease a Business Vehicle?" by Navi Maraj, CPA. Lease vs buy a business vehicle
Leasing gets you a lower monthly payment, but the payments never stop. This calculator compares three consecutive 3-year leases against buying the same car with a loan and holding it for 9 years, so you can see which path actually costs less.
Buying New vs. Used Car Calculator
Based on "Should You Buy a NEW or an OLD Car? The OUTRAGEOUS Cost of Car Ownership" by Juan Carlos LTO. Finance a New Car vs Buy an Old Car for Cash