Car Purchase vs Lease Decision Calculator
Compare the true cost of buying versus leasing a vehicle with a structured financial breakdown covering monthly payments, total cost of ownership, depreciation, tax implications, and lifestyle fit.
Prompt Template
I need help deciding whether to buy or lease my next vehicle. Here are my details: **Vehicle:** [vehicle make, model, and year] **Purchase price (MSRP):** [price] **Down payment available:** [amount] **Estimated trade-in value (if any):** [value] **Credit score range:** [range] **Annual mileage estimate:** [miles per year] **How long I plan to keep the vehicle:** [years] **State/region (for tax purposes):** [location] **Priorities:** [e.g., lower monthly payment, long-term savings, flexibility, building equity] Please provide: 1. **Lease scenario**: Estimated monthly payment, total lease cost over the term, mileage overage risks, and end-of-lease options 2. **Buy scenario (loan)**: Estimated monthly payment, total loan cost, projected depreciation, and residual value after [years] 3. **Buy scenario (cash)**: Opportunity cost analysis of paying cash vs investing the lump sum 4. **Side-by-side comparison table**: Total cost, monthly cash flow impact, flexibility score, and equity position 5. **Tax and insurance considerations** specific to my state 6. **Recommendation** based on my stated priorities with clear reasoning
Example Output
🚗 Buy vs Lease Analysis: 2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE
Lease Scenario (36 months)
| Item | Amount |
|------|--------|
| Monthly payment | |
| Down payment | ,500 |
| Total lease cost (36 mo) | ,504 |
| Mileage allowance | 12,000/yr |
| Overage penalty | /bin/zsh.25/mile |
**End-of-lease options:** Return vehicle, purchase at residual (,400), or lease a new model.
Buy Scenario (60-month loan at 5.9% APR)
| Item | Amount |
|------|--------|
| Monthly payment | |
| Down payment | ,000 |
| Total loan cost | ,320 |
| Estimated value at year 5 | ,800 |
| **True cost of ownership** | **,520** |
Side-by-Side Comparison (5-Year View)
| Factor | Lease (2 terms) | Buy (loan) |
|--------|-----------------|------------|
| Total spent | ,008 | ,320 |
| Asset value at end | /bin/zsh | ,800 |
| Net cost | ,008 | ,520 |
| Monthly cash flow | Lower () | Higher () |
| Flexibility | High | Medium |
💡 Recommendation
Based on your priority of **long-term savings** and driving **14,000 miles/year**, **buying is the better financial decision**. You'd save ~,488 over 5 years after accounting for residual value. The lease mileage cap of 12,000/yr would cost you an extra +/year in overage fees.
Tips for Best Results
- 💡Always compare total cost of ownership over the same time period, not just monthly payments
- 💡Factor in maintenance — leased vehicles are often under warranty for the full term
- 💡If you drive more than 12,000 miles/year, leasing usually costs more due to mileage penalties
- 💡Consider your tax situation — in some states, you only pay sales tax on lease payments, not the full vehicle price
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