Buy vs Lease Car Calculator
Donald pays cash, Frank finances, Nancy rolls leases - all on identical income, savings, and hold period. Each one invests whatever income is left over after their own car payments and expenses every month; ending net worth = portfolio + car equity.
Donald (buy cash)
$0
Portfolio + car equity
Frank (finance)
$0
Portfolio + car equity
Nancy (lease)
$0
Invested portfolio only
Best scenario
-
Who wins, by how much
Donald total / mo
$0
insurance + maintenance only (paid cash)
Frank total / mo
$0
loan + insurance + maintenance
Nancy total / mo
$0
lease + insurance + fees
Personal assumptionsSame for Donald, Frank, and Nancy
$
$/mo
yrs
%
%
%
24%
VehicleSame car for both scenarios
$
%
mi
$/mo
%/yr
$0
Tax incentives & business use
%
Pick an EV status or LLC category to see tax savings applied to the winner.
Donald buys (cash)
$/yr
$0
Frank finances
%
%
mo
$/yr
$0/mo
Nancy leases
$/mo
mo
$
$
$
/yr
$/mi
$700/mo
Net worth over time
Cumulative out-of-pocket cost
Year-by-year breakdown
| Year | Donald net worth | Frank net worth | Nancy net worth | Donald spent | Frank spent | Nancy spent |
|---|