Iselin Group – Strategic Consulting
iselingroup.com — brian.iselin(@)iselingroup.com
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Lease or Buy Comparison Calculator

Instantly compare costs and monthly breakdowns for lease and purchase—built for transparency, accuracy, and real-world decisions.
Actual selling price. Ask for discounts and itemized extras.
Your car's current value, if trading in; reduces cost for both lease and buy.
Upfront cash, reducing amount owed. Bigger down lowers monthly but increases upfront risk.
Registration, documentation, destination fees, or extras. Get these itemized in writing.
Local/state sales tax or VAT percent. For leases, only monthly payment may be taxed.
Typical leases run 24-48 months; longer terms rarely offer better value.
MF x 2400 ≈ APR. Lower is better; get the true 'buy rate' from your dealer, in writing.
Percent of MSRP expected at lease-end. Higher residual lowers payment.
Exceeding limit triggers costly overage fees. Negotiate for your actual needs.
Longer loans lower monthly but increase total interest. Consider 48–72 months max.
Your actual rate depends on credit, lender, and term. Ask for APR, not just monthly!
Purchase
Lease
Cost Over Time
The residual value is the car’s estimated cash value at lease-end—set by the lender, not negotiable. Your payments only cover the expected “depreciation” plus financing. Higher residual means lower monthly cost, but does not necessarily reflect what you’ll pay if you want to buy the car at end of lease.
Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the Money Factor? Dealer’s way to show interest rate for leases. Multiply MF by 2400 for approximate APR.
  • How do incentives impact cost? They reduce the capitalized cost but some are not available for leases. Always request line-item details.
  • What’s a “good” lease? One with a low MF, high residual (if you won’t buy at end), and minimal up-front fees; beware of “dealer add-ons.”
  • Lease pitfalls and tips: Watch for hidden fees, inflexible mileage, and marked-up rates. Always get all terms and rates in writing.
  • Negotiation: Negotiate the sale price and money factor just like a purchase. Ask for all official incentives, and avoid “marked up” add-ons.
  • Purchase vs Lease: Lease is usually lower monthly cost, but buying builds equity. Compare total costs, not just monthly!
  • Disclaimer: Calculations are estimates only. Taxes, incentives, fees, and residuals vary by model, region, and lender.
  • Need help? Email brian.iselin@iselingroup.com or visit iselingroup.com.
Iselin Group — Strategic Consulting
© Iselin Group. “Lease or Buy Calculator”— brian.iselin(@)iselingroup.com. The underlying decision‑integrity model, logic, and UI are proprietary to Iselin Group and may not be reproduced, adapted, or deployed in whole or in part without prior written consent; all rights reserved.
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