Lease vs buy vs cash
Compare leasing, financing, and paying cash over the same vehicle term.
Lowest Cost Option
Cash
$5,739 below highest-cost optionLoan Cost
$26,956
$1,105 first-year monthlyCash Cost
$21,217
$46,350 upfront cashLease Cost
$22,950
$897 first-year monthlyInputs
All options use the same vehicle and operating assumptions.
Vehicle
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Lease
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Miles / year
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Opportunity Cost
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Operating Costs
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Cost Breakdown
Loan Total Cost$26,956
Cash Total Cost$21,217
Lease Total Cost$22,950
Loan Shared Operating$14,125
Cash Shared Operating$14,125
Lease Shared Operating$14,125
Comparison Summary
All options are compared over 3 years.
| Option | Total Cost | Base Cost | Shared Operating | Opportunity Cost | First-Year Monthly Cost | Upfront Cash | Final Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loan | $26,956 | $26,956 | $14,125 | $3,993 | $1,105 | $9,350 | $8,769 |
| Cash | $21,217 | $21,217 | $14,125 | $10,431 | $372 | $46,350 | $25,133 |
| Lease | $22,950 | $22,950 | $14,125 | $2,175 | $897 | $3,650 | $0 |
Total Cost Comparison
Decision costs before investment opportunity cost.
Cumulative Cash Outflow
Upfront and annual cash outflows over 3 years.