Lease, finance, or cash?
Same car, three paths. We do the apples-to-apples math so the dealer doesn’t.
Your inputs
Lease
Best fit$486/mo
36mo
Total cost
$20,484
Residual value$23,200
• Mileage fits inside the 12000mi/yr cap.
• You plan to keep 5yr but the lease ends at 3yr — re-leasing/buying-out adds cost.
• Residual at end: $23,200 (you don't own anything).
Finance
$731/mo
60mo
Total cost
$46,854
Total interest$6,854
Equity at 36mo$7,659
Equity at 60mo$18,000
• Total interest paid over 60mo: $6,854
Cash
upfront
Total cost
$61,011
Upfront ($+tax)$43,500
Opportunity cost$17,511
• If you'd invested $43,500 at 7.0% over 5.0y, you'd give up ~$17,511 in compound returns.
• Pro: zero interest, zero monthly payment. Con: car depreciates while your dollars are stuck.
Our recommendation
lease
Lowest total cost over your holding period: lease at $20,484 vs finance at $46,854.
Runner-up: finance
Estimates only. Lease residuals, money factors, and APRs vary by manufacturer + month. Real numbers come from a dealer quote. Not financial advice.