When you’re in the market for a new car, you need to decide if you should lease a vehicle or take out a loan to buy the vehicle outright. However, it can be challenging to find the right option for you, as both methods have their benefits and drawbacks.
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Pros of Leasing a Car
Leasing a car is when you pay to drive a vehicle for a specified number of years. At the end of this term, you give the car back to the dealer or offer to buy the car from them. If you choose to hand the vehicle back, you are free to take out another lease deal and repeat the process. However, most leases require you to return the car in pristine condition. High-quality all weather car covers can protect your car against damage caused by UV exposure, hail, scratches, and dents. There are several excellent reasons to consider leasing a car.
● Drive the Latest Model
You’re always driving a late model car, which means you have a vehicle with the latest safety features and most advanced technology. Because the parts are new, they are less likely to break down or suffer recurring mechanical issues. Your car will probably have a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty, which could cover expensive maintenance procedures such as an oil change after a predetermined number of miles.
● Easier to Budget For
The monthly payment is predictable so that you can manage your household budget better. You may find there are no drive-off-the-lot fees, which means you have fewer upfront costs. When leasing a vehicle, the payments are often lower than if you take out a loan to purchase a car outright. New model cars are also more fuel-efficient than earlier models, helping you to save money on fuel bills.
● No Extra Costs
There is no need to worry about vehicle price fluctuations when it’s time to hand the car back to the dealership. As long as you’ve adhered to the contract terms, you can return the vehicle and walk away without incurring extra costs.
● Tax Benefits for Businesses
If you are a business owner, you could benefit from tax advantages. It’s always best to consult with your accountant before choosing a lease deal.
Cons of Leasing a Car
Although leasing a car can be an attractive option, there are some downsides to consider before signing the contract.
● More Constraints
You have less control over your mileage when you lease a car. Lease agreements have limits on how many miles you can drive over the contract’s duration, typically 8,000 or 10,000 miles annually. If you go over this limit, you pay a premium for each additional mile. These extra costs are usually relatively high, sometimes as much as $0.30 per mile, so you need to be careful not to exceed the specified quota.
● Long-Term Leasing Costs More
If you continue to lease vehicles over an extended period, you’ll probably be paying more than if you bought the car outright. After you pay off a car loan, the payments are over, and you still have the car as an asset. When leasing, you’ll always be making monthly payments.
● Termination Fees
If you decide you don’t like the car or can no longer afford the monthly repayments, the contract termination fees can be expensive. You may have to pay the total amount of the lease agreement, even though you’re not using the vehicle.
● Damage Fees
You must return the vehicle in excellent condition at the end of the lease agreement. If there are unacceptable wear and tear levels, you’ll have to pay additional fees as specified in the contract. You can protect your vehicle by using a high-quality car cover, reducing the damage to your car from weather, other cars, and branches, and reducing your wear and tear penalty when you return the car.
● Insurance Costs
There can be additional insurance costs if you take out comprehensive, gap, and collision insurance. The extra coverage means you’re not liable for the car’s total value in the event of an accident.
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Pros of Buying a Car
Most people who buy a new car take out a loan to pay the dealership for the car’s full cost. After repaying the lender, you own the vehicle outright. There are several reasons to consider purchasing a car instead of leasing.
● No Restrictions
There are no mileage restrictions when you buy a car. There are also no wear and tear clauses because you don’t have to hand the vehicle back to the dealership. While you’ll want to keep the car in excellent condition, you don’t have to worry about a small accidental scratch on the paintwork. No one is going to charge you extra because the car is yours.
● Add to Your Assets
You own an asset. At the end of the loan payments, your car will still have a residual value. You can sell the vehicle and use the funds to finance a new purchase or keep the vehicle to drive while it is in good condition. There is no need to consider selling the car until the repair costs begin to exceed the vehicle’s value.
● More Customization
You are free to customize your vehicle to suit your preferences. You can change the stereo system, add a spoiler, and even paint it a different color. When you lease a car, the dealership expects you to return it without alterations, but you don’t have this restriction if the vehicle is yours.
Cons of Buying a Car
Although there are upsides to buying a car, there are also some negative considerations.
● Depreciation
The car may lose a lot of value, making it difficult to sell later at a reasonable price.
● High Loan Payments
The monthly loan repayments are usually higher and possibly longer than the costs of a lease agreement. You may be unable to afford a fully loaded or luxury vehicle.
● Large Down Payment
You may have to make a high upfront down payment. Before driving the car off the lot, the dealership may expect an initial payment of several thousand dollars, as well as registration, sales tax, and a documentation fee.
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Leasing vs. Buying a Car – A Difficult Comparison
Because leasing and buying offer such different options, it’s challenging to compare them, even when discussing the same vehicle. A typical lease agreement lasts between one and five years, while a loan might have a three- to six-year payment period. Even if both last three years, the lease agreement payments will likely be significantly less than the loan costs. However, when the monthly loan repayments end, you have a valuable asset. When the lease agreement ends, you no longer have a vehicle.
If you mainly use your car for a short commute and don’t want to make any modifications, you might consider leasing instead of buying. However, if you don’t have time to maintain the vehicle to dealership standards or regularly take long road trips, buying a car might be the best solution.
