Mr Calcu | Make smarter car financing decisions—compare leasing vs. buying in minutes with real savings insights.
Compare, evaluate, and save with our auto lease vs buy calculator. Make smart, confident vehicle financing decisions backed by detailed cost analysis.
Auto Lease-Vs-Buy Analyzer Description
Understanding Your Options
Choosing between leasing and buying a vehicle can impact your:
- Monthly cash flow
- Ownership equity
- Long-term financial obligations
- Tax treatment and maintenance responsibilities
Key Financial Variables Considered
- Monthly lease and loan payments
- Vehicle residual (resale) value
- Upfront and ongoing maintenance costs
- Depreciation over time
- Discount rate (opportunity cost of money)
- Applicable fees, taxes, and incentives
Mathematical Formulas
Total Lease Cost:
Total Lease Cost = (Monthly Lease Payment × Lease Term) + Down Payment + Fees
Total Buy Cost (Net Present Value):
Total Buy Cost = Down Payment + Σ[(Monthly Loan Payment + Maintenance - Resale Adjustment) / (1 + r)^n]
Where r is the monthly discount rate and n is the payment number.
Case Study 1: Urban Commuter
- Profile: Drives 10,000 miles/year, prefers new models every 3 years
- Outcome: Leasing was 18% cheaper due to avoiding depreciation and major maintenance
Case Study 2: Long-Term Owner
- Profile: Keeps vehicles for 10 years, drives 15,000 miles/year
- Outcome: Buying was 27% cheaper over the long term due to ownership equity
Pro Tip: Use your expected ownership duration and annual mileage as anchors when comparing lease vs. buy. These two factors influence over 60% of the total cost differential.
Edge Cases to Consider
- High mileage drivers: Lease overage penalties can exceed $0.25/mile
- Early lease buyout: Often incurs remaining payments + residual cost
- Used vehicle purchases: Flattened depreciation curve makes buying more attractive
- Low credit score: Higher lease payments and financing APRs can skew affordability
- EV ownership: Federal/state incentives often apply only to purchases
Take control of your car costs—run your numbers now and drive with confidence.