LEASE
Lower Monthly Payments
Because you only pay for the portion of the value of the car or truck that you actually use, your monthly lease payments are 30%-60% lower than for a purchase loan for the same car and same term. You don’t pay extra money each month to “invest” in ownership equity.
No Down Payment
Car leasing provides the option of making no down payment, although you must still make the first month’s payment and official tag and registration fees. Some promotional lease deals require a down payment to get the deal.
More Car, More Often
Since monthly lease payments are lower than with buying, you get more car for your money and drive a new vehicle every two to four years. A luxury vehicle can often be leased for the same or lower payments than loan payments for a less expensive economy vehicle.
Fewer Maintenance Headaches
Most people like to lease for a term that coincides with the length of the manufacturer’s warranty coverage so that if something goes wrong with the car, the repairs are always covered. Some car companies also offer free routine scheduled maintenance for the term of the lease.
Lower Up-front Cash Outlay
Most car leases require little or no down payment, which makes getting into a new car more affordable and frees up your cash for other things. However, you can choose to make a down payment, or trade in your old vehicle, to lower your monthly payment amount. Preservation of cash is a strong incentive to lease.
Lower Tax Bite
In most states of the U.S. and in Canada, you don’t pay sales tax on the entire value of a leased vehicle as you would if you purchased. You’re only taxed on the portion of the value that you use during your lease. The tax is spread out and paid along with your monthly lease payment instead of being paid all at once.
No Used-Car Hassles
With leasing, the headaches of selling a used car are eliminated. When your lease ends, you simply turn it back to the leasing company and walk away, unless you decide to buy it or trade it.
GAP Coverage Included
Most car leases automatically include free “gap” protection in case your vehicle is totaled in an accident or stolen, which pays off your vehicle when insurance doesn’t cover the full loss. Loans do not generally come with automatic GAP protection and must be purchased separately.