Buying vs. Leasing FAQs

Buy: Pay For Whole Car | Lease: Pay For The Portion Used

When shopping for a new car, truck, or SUV, drivers in Rice Lake and beyond have many different decisions to make. Once you have decided on a vehicle that checks all of the boxes on your wishlist and falls within your budget, there is another big choice to consider. You may be wondering what's better – leasing or buying a car. At Don Johnson Motors, we can help you determine when to lease a car vs. buy based on your driving needs and budget.

Detail of a stamp labeled with the word Leasing

Is Leasing Right for You?

While financing a vehicle is typically more popular among drivers in the Hayward area, regardless of their credit, many are discovering that leasing offers a wide range of benefits worth considering. What exactly is leasing? When you lease, rather than paying for the entire vehicle, you end up paying for what you actually use. Your monthly payments, which are typically more affordable than they would be with traditional financing, are determined based on the estimated depreciation of your vehicle in addition to the cost of borrowing. Here are just a few additional benefits of leasing:

Leasing is less expensive up front: In most cases, it does not cost as much money up front to lease a vehicle.
Less worry about the potential for negative equity: There is significantly less risk that your car will decline in value so much so that it is worth less than the projected residual value.
Warranty coverage peace of mind: You don't have to worry about costly out-of-pocket expenses when you lease. Your car will likely be covered under a factory warranty for the duration of the lease.
Enjoy more affordable payments and shorter terms: Because your monthly payments are lower, features you may not have been able to afford before could now be within reach.

People loading lumber into the bed of a Silverado truck

Is Financing Right for You?

While leasing may be the more affordable option for some drivers in the Cumberland area, financing has its own set of advantages. Drivers have more freedom when it comes to creating the car of their dreams as well as the ability to drive without limits.

There are no mileage limits with financing: If you do a lot of traveling or you have a long commute to the office, financing may be your best choice. When you lease, you are bound by mileage restrictions. Go over those limits, and you will be charged a penalty.
Customize your ride: If you plan on making any modifications to your vehicle, such as upgrading the sound system or changing the color, you should finance the vehicle. Most leases do not allow you to alter the vehicle in any way.
Sell your car at any time: If you decide that it's time for a different vehicle, you have the freedom to sell your car when you want to.
Financing becomes more affordable over time: Once your vehicle is paid off, it is yours and you no longer have to worry about monthly payments.

Answers to More Common Leasing vs. Buying Questions

Wondering if it's better to lease a car or buy used to save money? How about whether leasing or buying, in general, is really the better choice? Allow us to answer some of your common leasing vs. buying questions:

Is it better to lease a car or buy used?: The answer really is "It depends". What's your main goal? If you want the most affordable option from an total cost perspective, then buying a used car can be the most attractive option. If, however you are looking for a newer vehicle for an attractive monthly payment (read: less than the monthly payment for buying the same vehicle), not to mention something with the latest features, then leasing could be better for you.
Is it easier to lease or buy a car?: The question of whether leasing vs. buying is better mostly comes down to what your needs are, and what you're looking for out of your next vehicle. But which is easier? Many Rice Lake shoppers find the leasing process to be easier and more convenient, especially when it comes time to turn in the lease; doing so is often quite a lot simpler than dealing with trading in an old vehicle.

Contact Don Johnson Motors to Discuss Buying and Leasing

If you have additional questions, such as should I lease vs. buy a truck, Don Johnson Motors will be happy to help you explore your options. Contact us today for more information about buying and leasing, to learn about benefits like the Section 179 Deduction, or to set up a test drive. We can't wait to help you find a car you will love for many years to come.