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Auto Finance Tools

Car Financing Calculator

Compare Buy vs Lease vs Rent to find your best option

Vehicle Information

Enter details about the car you're considering

Sticker price before any discounts

Actual purchase price after negotiation

How long to compare costs over

Value of your current vehicle

📋 Additional Ownership Costs (Optional)

Buy / Finance Options

Configure your purchase or auto loan details

At end of analysis period

Lease Options

Configure your lease terms and payments

Per mile over limit

Fee when returning the car

⚙️ Advanced Lease Terms (Money Factor & Residual)

Equivalent APR: 6.00%

Value: $19,250

Rent / Subscription Options

Short-term rental or car subscription services

Compare all financing options side-by-side

Click the button below to calculate and compare all options

Buying a Car

Cash purchase or financing with an auto loan

  • You own the car outright
  • No mileage restrictions
  • Can modify or customize freely
  • Build equity in the vehicle
  • No lease-end fees or penalties
  • Higher upfront and monthly costs
  • Responsible for all maintenance
  • Depreciation risk is yours
  • Tied up capital in an asset
  • Selling/trading can be hassle
Best For:
People who drive a lot, plan to keep cars long-term (7+ years), want to build equity, or prefer complete ownership and flexibility.

Leasing a Car

Long-term rental with option to buy at end

  • Lower monthly payments
  • Always drive a newer car
  • Often covered by warranty
  • Lower upfront costs
  • No resale hassle
  • No ownership or equity
  • Mileage limits and penalties
  • Wear and tear charges
  • Difficult to terminate early
  • Always have a payment
Best For:
People who prefer new cars every 2-3 years, drive predictable low-to-moderate miles, want lower monthly payments, and don't want long-term ownership responsibilities.

Renting / Subscription

Maximum flexibility with all-inclusive pricing

  • Maximum flexibility
  • Often includes insurance
  • No long-term commitment
  • Easy to switch vehicles
  • Maintenance included
  • Highest cost per month
  • No equity or ownership
  • Limited availability
  • May have mileage limits
  • Limited customization
Best For:
People in transition (new city, temporary job), those who want hassle-free motoring, or anyone who values flexibility over cost efficiency.

Key Considerations

How Long Will You Keep It?
Buying makes more sense the longer you keep the car. After the loan is paid off, you have free transportation (minus maintenance). Leasing and renting always have ongoing payments.
How Much Do You Drive?
High-mileage drivers should avoid leases. Most leases limit you to 10,000-15,000 miles per year, with expensive penalties for overages (typically $0.15-$0.30 per mile).
Cash Flow vs Total Cost
Lower monthly payments don't always mean lower total cost. Leasing often has lower monthly payments but costs more over time if you always lease.
Opportunity Cost
Money used as a down payment could be invested elsewhere. Consider what returns that money could generate if invested in the stock market instead.