Lease vs Buy (2024)

FAQs

Is leasing a better option than buying? ›

On the one hand, buying involves higher monthly costs, but you own an asset—your vehicle—in the end. On the other hand, a lease has lower monthly payments and lets you drive a vehicle that may be more expensive than you could afford to buy, but you get into a cycle in which you never stop paying for the vehicle.

The obvious downside to leasing a car is that you don't own the car at the end of the lease. That means you don't have a trade-in if you decide to purchase a car. Consumers who routinely lease cars over many years may end up paying more than they would if they had initially bought the car.

Key Takeaways. Leasing is a less expensive, shorter-term method for (temporarily) acquiring a vehicle, whereas buying a car is more costly but gives you better value for your money in the long run.

Lower monthly payments

Instead of paying for the entire value of the car, your monthly payments cover the vehicle's depreciation (plus rent and taxes) over the lease term. Since you're only financing the depreciation instead of the purchase price, your payment will usually be much lower.

In 2024, lease returns are expected to rise then fall. Experian predicts, “retail leasing returns will rise to 1.1 million in the second quarter of 2024, but then fall to only 640,000 by the end of that year.” So, if you're hoping to buy a pre-owned car in 2024, look around April to early summer for the best selection.

While you don't build equity with lease payments, you still get access to a car for a monthly fee. That means leasing a car isn't a waste of money in the same way that renting a home isn't a waste of money. Just like renting a home instead of owning one, leasing a car usually has fewer costs than owning it.

Leasing means never having equity in the vehicle. You can never sell it for cash, and any money you put into it benefits only the dealer. Financing a loan may not be fun, but if you're leasing only because you think it will be less expensive, you'll need to run the numbers to be sure.

Even after you complete the lease, positive payment history can remain on your credit reports for 10 years. A car lease can also hurt your credit, however, if you miss a payment for 30 days or longer or you default on the lease agreement altogether.

In 2024, whether to buy or lease a car depends on your individual needs and lifestyle. With manufacturers pushing more attractive lease deals, leasing may become a more appealing option for many. Leasing is a great way to avoid the worst effects of today's high interest rates.

With a car lease, you are basically paying to drive the car for a short-term. What happens at the end of a car lease agreement? When the term or duration of the lease period ends, the vehicle must be returned to the leasing company or it may be purchased for its residual value.

Does leasing ever make sense? ›

Deciding between leasing and buying a car will come down to your lifestyle, driving needs, and financial situation. Leasing can be attractive if you're looking for lower monthly costs, want a new car with new car technology every few years, and don't want to worry about certain tasks, such as selling your car.

Overall, only 8.5% of these high rollers paid cash. Around 31% leased and 60.4% took out a loan with an average payment of $2,201 and an average term of 56 months. For comparison, the general market in 2021 saw 9% of buyers paying cash, 20% leasing, and 70% taking out a loan.

Negotiate the terms of your lease

To be the best negotiator, check current pricing on sites like Kelley Blue Book and remember to negotiate more than just price. A good lease deal is one that will leave you paying as little over the lifetime of the loan as possible — initial down payment included.

Why are car leases so expensive now? The cost of cars has significantly increased, as has the cost of leases. Plus, many current lease contracts aren't as favorable toward drivers as they once were – a result of increased demand for new cars.

Leases are usually easier to obtain and have more flexible terms than loans for buying equipment. This can be a significant advantage if you have bad credit or need to negotiate a longer payment plan to lower your costs. Easier to upgrade equipment. Leasing allows businesses to address the problem of obsolescence.

Monthly payments to lease a vehicle tend to be lower than monthly payments on a car loan, but financing a vehicle purchase may cost less in the long run. Drivers who lease also need to consider their mileage: Exceeding the mileage specified in their lease terms can cost them extra at the end of the lease.

In terms of upfront costs and monthly payments, leasing is often much cheaper than buying. The average monthly lease payment on a new car in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $606, while the average loan payment was $738, according to Experian.