How the lease vs buy calculator works
Why 3-year comparisons mislead without resale
Lease payments look small because you pay only depreciation plus a rent charge. The honest comparison credits the buy path with the car's resale at the same milestone — do that, and buying usually wins on pure cost unless the lease was negotiated at a big discount or the model holds value unusually well.
What leasing genuinely buys
Lower payments, warranty coverage throughout, a new car every three years, and no resale hassle — for a real premium and a permanent payment. For business users, high-mileage drivers who value predictability differently, and people who genuinely want the newest safety tech, the premium can be rational. The mistake is calling it "cheaper."
Reading a lease like a buyer
Three numbers run every lease: capitalized cost (negotiate it like a purchase price!), residual (%), and money factor (the APR in disguise — multiply by 2,400). A great lease is a well-negotiated cap cost with a high residual and low money factor. The monthly number alone tells you none of that.