Verdict
Lease vs Buy a Car
Leasing's lower monthly payment is obvious. What it costs you in the long run isn't — until you run the numbers.
$1,200,000
20%
9%
5 yrs
$18,000
$100,000
15%
10%
5 yrs
Do it
Buying wins by $152,803
You end up owning a depreciated but real asset, and it's worth more than what leasing would've let you invest instead.
Buying — net worth
$532,446
Resale value $532,446
Leasing & investing
$379,644
Common questions
Not always — it depends on the specific car's depreciation rate and your investment return. Fast-depreciating cars make leasing more attractive.