Conventional wisdom says if you lease you’ll have nothing to show for your money when the term is up. But that ignores the opportunity cost inherent in buying: after all, the money you pay up front for the car could be invested instead. Our worksheet will determine whether leasing or buying is the better overall investment strategy. Bear in mind that the calculation assumes you would buy the car outright rather than finance it. Canadian Auto Remarketing can help you find the right decision.
The Advantages
Low Down Payments — Even though a lot of the advertised lease deals assume a down payment, you can often get the dealer to limit it just by asking. Of course, the more cash you come up with initially, the lower your monthly payments.
Low Monthly Payments — Since you are only paying off the depreciation on the car — not its full value — your monthly payments are much lower than if you opt to finance the purchase of the entire car over the same period. As well, sales tax is paid monthly as part of the payment, not included in the total financed amount. Therefore, you will save paying interest on the full sales tax amount.
The Disadvantages
No Equity — Like paying rent on an apartment, your lease payments don’t go towards owning anything. Unlike traditional financing, you can’t look forward to the day when the payments will stop, and you can drive your own car free and clear.
Lack of Flexibility – In some leasing programs, you pay a penalty if you want out of the lease before the full term. Bailing out early may cost you as much as three extra months of payments, depending on your leasing company.
Insurance May Come Up Short — If you total the car or it gets stolen, your insurance will only reimburse you for the car’s market value, which might not cover what you still owe on your lease. You can buy extra “gap coverage” to protect against this, and some lease deals include it automatically. This would be the same if you finance your vehicle.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Do you need your cash?
If so, leasing makes sense, because usually you will put less money down than if you buy. In many cases, dealers will waive a down payment. You need only come up the first month’s payment and a refundable security deposit. Sales tax is usually paid monthly as part of the payment. If you buy a car and finance it, you could easily have to put 10% of the purchase price down as well as 5% sales tax — perhaps $2,500 on a $50,000 car. You are building up equity, but current cash needs may be more pressing.
- How often do you want a new car?
Leasing is attractive for people who want new wheels every three years or so. It saves you the hassle of selling your cars, and allows you to move from car to car with relatively steady low monthly outlays and low-down payments. But don’t lease if you like to buy a new car every year. Ditto if you like to buy one every seven or eight years. A purchase allows you to either buy a new car impulsively when you have a cash windfall or to forestall a purchase, nursing your old car along, if your income drops. With a lease, you lose a good deal of control over those decisions. If you foresee owning the same car for seven years or more, you’ll save money by buying. That’s because with a lease, you walk away from a car just when depreciation slows and — under long-term financing — equity begins to build.
- Do you use your car for business purposes?
If you are deducting a portion of your car’s depreciation from your taxes, you will be able to deduct substantially more if you lease. Interest paid on loans to purchase a car is not deductible. But when you lease, you can deduct depreciation as well as the implicit financing costs. The CRA does, however, limit depreciation deductions for certain luxury cars.
- Do you worry about your car’s resale value?
If you routinely cart around carpools of kids, a few dogs and lawn maintenance equipment, there’s a good chance you will inflict some damage on the car’s interior, which you may have to pay for later when you turn it in. So, if you’re hard on your car, leasing may not be right for you. Ironically, you should also consider buying if you keep your car in immaculate condition. That way you can build up some equity and take advantage of its spotless interior or any improvements you’ve made when it comes time to sell. But, keep in mind, one of the advantages of leasing is that you get to lock in a resale value now. All those lease agreements mean lots of used luxury cars will turn over in two years, depressing the market value of all of them. If you worry about your car’s resale value, leasing can provide some security.
- How stable is your life?
If you foresee a move, kids, a divorce or a new job, and you don’t have a clear idea where you will be in two or three years, don’t lease. The money you save on a low-down payment and low monthly outlays could be wiped out if you must terminate early. Basically, you should be almost certain you can stick with the terms of the lease before you sign on the dotted line.
- Do you trust the company you would be leasing from?
When you buy, you don’t have to trust the bank. You just need its money. But leasing means you are entering a complex financial relationship with a company. Check to see if your lease includes gap coverage, which protects you if your car is stolen or totaled. Most leasing companies offer it. Also make sure you have a purchase option at a fixed price.
Canadian Auto Remarketing is an AMVIC Licensed/Bonded Auto Dealership and a St Albert Chamber of Commerce member.
Shop with Confidence! Great Place | Great Service | Great Prices | Great People. One stop destination for all vehicle needs! Buy | Sell | Trade | Finance | Cars | Trucks | SUV’s | Minivans | Licensed Automotive Service Repair facility | Licensed Out-of-Province inspection facility | Mechanical Inspections | Lube/Oil/Filter Services | Wheels & Tires | Auto Accessories | Custom Auto Detailing | Mechanical Breakdown Protection Approved facility | Windshield Repairs and much more.
We are a Canadian owned and operated Automotive dealership, with automotive experience since 1988.
Showroom location in St Albert, two blocks north of the Anthony Henday Drive with easy access.
# 109 – 25 Chisholm Avenue. St Albert, AB. Canada. T8N 5A5
Bus: (780) 569-0654 | Fax: (780) 569-0655 | Mobile/Text: (780) 994-2032
Website: www.canadianautoremarketing.ca
E-mail Sales and Finance: info@canadianautoremarketing.ca
E-mail Service and tires: service@canadianautoremarketing.ca