Buy vs lease a car

Cash out minus leftover equity vs repeating a lease.

Quick answer: This calculator compares cash you pay to buy a car, minus leftover equity, with the cost of repeating a lease for the years you keep a car. The sample price, rate, and lease payment are examples. The calculator is the All Access tool already on this page.

Purchase price Buy down payment Buy rate % Loan years Years you keep the car Resale value then Lease due at signing Lease payment Lease term months

Buy net is the cash you paid (down payment plus payments while you keep the car) minus equity (resale minus the remaining loan). Lease net repeats due-at-signing plus the lease payment, and a partial next term is prorated. Not a money-factor quote. The rate is whatever you type. Educational only. All Access stays behind the PayPal wall.

What this means for you

What this means for you: buying saves money in this model only when buy net is lower than lease net. Equity is resale minus the remaining loan. A lease that looks cheaper each month can cost more once you repeat it.

How to use this calculator

Open the Buy vs lease calculator and keep the sample numbers or replace them with your own. The result updates as you type.
Read the headline figure first, then the breakdown or chart under it.
Use Copy share link if you want those inputs in the URL. The page is an educational estimate, not a filing, approval, or recommendation.

FAQ

How is buy net calculated?

Down payment plus payments while you keep the car, minus equity. Equity is the resale you typed minus the remaining loan.

How is the lease rolled forward?

Due-at-signing plus the lease payments, repeated for the years you keep a car, with a partial next term prorated.

Is this a money-factor quote?

No. The lease payment and due-at-signing are whatever you type.

Educational, not financial advice. Page updated October 24, 2026 — no tax, limit, or rate figure was changed in this review.