Patrick Cadillac Explains: The Difference Between Buying and Leasing a Car

Buying vs. leasing is an age-old question that doesn’t necessarily have a definitive answer. However, we at Patrick Cadillac understand that these two options can be quite confusing for consumers. In our latest blog, we have outlined the major characteristics and differences between buying and leasing a car, so as to make your decision easier and more informed.

Leasing

In short, leasing a vehicle can be compared to renting the vehicle itself. Upfront costs are typically much less when you lease a car. In addition, your monthly payments are usually less with a lease than with buying a car. At the end of your lease term, you can return the vehicle and lease another one. You also have the option of buying a vehicle or buying the vehicle that you had been leasing.

If you choose to lease a car you are afforded the ability to try out and use the latest in-vehicle technology as you are only behind the wheel of a vehicle every few years. Leasing a car also allows you to be covered by the vehicle’s factory warranty for the entire life of the lease.

However, leasing a car means that you do not own the vehicle. Additionally, this also means that there is a mileage limit imposed on the vehicle itself. This means that you have an allotted amount of miles that you can drive the vehicle, and if you go over that limit, you may be subjected to overage fees. Leasing a car also means that you cannot customize your car like you would if you buy it; this is because all cars must be brought back to the dealership in the condition that it was when you bought it.

Buying

Buying a car is the traditional method of getting behind the wheel of something new. Buying a car has the inherent benefit that you own the car itself and don’t have to worry about things such as mileage limits or not being allowed to fully customize the car itself. Additionally, you won’t have to make payments when the loan to your car is paid off.

Financing is typically a much easier and less complex method for owning a vehicle than leasing is because many lenders are open to offering loans to those with less-than-optimal credit. Additionally, another benefit to buying a car is that you build equity as you pay off your loan. This money can eventually be used towards a purchase of a new car.

Buying a car does present its own set of unique challenges, however. These challenges include that buying a car is more expensive in the short term as your monthly car payments are almost always more expensive than monthly lease payments. You also may have to pay more sales tax on the vehicle itself and, ultimately, your car’s future value is unknown. Compared to a lease where the amount the vehicle will be worth at lease-end is declared in the lease contract before the lease ever begins.

What to do: Lease or Buy?

Choosing whether or not to lease or buy a car depends on a variety of personal factors.  Leasing allows you to get more car for less money since you only pay for the value of the vehicle that you drive instead of paying for the entire value. On the other hand, buying gives you the freedom of complete ownership and the ability to pay off the vehicle and build up credit.

No matter your choice, our sales team at Patrick Cadillac can help you. Feel free to check out the Patrick Cadillac inventory or come see us at 526 Mall Drive in Schaumburg to help make your decision easier.