Should You Lease or Walk Away? Here’s the Truth!
"I brought my lucky penny—how much can it save me today?"
- Chase | Car deal dad joke writer | Not very good at it...
Week 8 – Should You Lease or Walk Away? Here’s the Truth!
Hey Deal Guard nation, welcome to Week 8!
This one’s big because today we’re talking about leasing—and if you’ve ever wondered, "Is leasing smart or is it just a clever trap?"... you're not alone.
Dealers love to push leases. And sometimes, they’re actually a great move. But other times? You’ll end up overpaying for something you don’t even own.
Let’s break it down in simple, straight talk.
Tactic #8: Know When Leasing Works—and When to Run
Why This Matters
Leasing looks affordable on paper:
Lower monthly payment
Little or no down payment
New car every 2-3 years
But those low numbers come with a catch: mileage limits, fees, and zero equity at the end.
So how do you know when leasing’s right?
Step-by-Step: Should You Lease or Buy?
Step 1: Ask Yourself How Much You Drive
Most leases come with a 10,000–15,000 miles/year cap.
If you drive a lot—like road trips, long commutes, or multiple jobs—leasing may cost you big in overage fees (like 25¢ per mile or more or less).
Example: Go over your limit by 5,000 miles? That’s $1,250 extra.
If your mileage is unpredictable, don’t lease unless you have cash to burn.
Step 2: Do You Like to Trade Cars Often?
If you LOVE new cars and never keep one more than 3 years, leasing might make sense. If money is not an issue go ahead and swap for something new ever 24 months. happens all the time even with folks with no money.
You’ll:
Always drive the latest model
Skip major repairs (car’s still under warranty)
Have lower payments vs. financing a new car
But again—you don’t own it.
So if you want to build long-term value, leasing isn’t it.
Step 3: Check the Total Cost
Don’t just look at monthly payments. Ask:
What’s the total cost of lease over 36 months?
What’s due at signing?
Are there acquisition fees or disposition fees?
What’s the buyout cost if I love the car and want to keep it?
Compare that total with buying the same car used or new.
You’ll often find that leasing looks cheaper month to month, but buying gives more value long-term.
Step 4: Look at Lease Deals With Incentives
Sometimes, manufacturers offer insane lease incentives:
Bonus cash
Low money factors (interest rates for leases)
High residual values (which lowers your payments)
These deals usually happen at the end of model year or when sales are slow.
If the numbers work out and your lifestyle fits, it could be worth it.
Quick Comparison: Lease vs. Buy
What About Business Owners?
Leasing can be a smart tax strategy for business owners. If you:
Use the car mostly for work
Can write off lease payments
Don’t need to own the vehicle
...it might make sense. But check with your accountant first.
Concierge Tip: We’ll Run the Math For You
Not sure what’s smarter—lease or buy?
Let us compare your:
Driving habits
Budget
Local market offers
We’ll break it down and give you a clear YES or NO based on YOUR life, not dealer hype.
What to Avoid
Don’t lease if you drive a ton
Don’t get tricked by super low payments
Don’t forget end-of-lease fees - the are real and dealers charge $$$$
Don’t lease if you want long-term value
Recap: Should You Lease?
Drive under 12,000 miles a year?
Want a new car every 2-3 years?
Don’t care about owning?
Found a promo lease deal?
Then leasing might be a win. Otherwise? You’ll likely come out ahead by buying smart.
Next week we’ll dive into extended warranties—what’s legit, what’s a scam, and how to protect yourself.
You’re killing it. Keep going. 👊
—
Confused by lease vs. buy? We’ll run the numbers and tell you the truth.
No pressure, no BS—just straight-up answers to get you the best deal for your life.
Tired of dealership games?
Let us deal with them for you.
Our car buying concierge service confirms every detail and protects your time, money, and sanity.
Our concierge car buying service saves you hours of stress and thousands in bad deals. Your time is valuable—let’s protect it together.
Go to GETDEALGUARD.COM TO LEARN MORE
See you soon,
Chase Jordan
#carleasingtips #buyvslease #cardealconcierge #carnegotiationstrategy #cardealhelp #week8
