Car Comparison Calculator
Compare leasing, financing, and buying a car with cash. Understand the true cost including depreciation, interest, and opportunity cost of your money.
Select Vehicle
Choose a vehicle or enter custom details
Lease Options
Finance Options
Cash Purchase
Total Cash Required
$55,580
Opportunity cost represents what you could earn if you invested the cash instead of buying the car outright.
Best Option for 3 Years
Leasing
Save $13,279 compared to buying cash
Net Cost (3 years)
$29,605
Lease
BestMonthly Payment
$731
Down Payment$2,000
Total Monthly Payments$26,315
Acquisition Fee$895
Disposition Fee$395
Total Cost$29,605
Residual (Buyout)$27,847
Net Cost$29,605
No equity at end (unless you buy out)
Finance
Monthly Payment
$1,006
Down Payment$5,000
Loan Amount$50,580
Total Monthly Payments$60,380
Total Interest$9,800
Total Paid$65,380
Car Value at End$22,465
Net Cost$42,915
After 15.00%/yr depreciation
Buy (Cash)
Upfront Cost
$55,580
MSRP$50,630
Sales Tax (8%)$4,050
Fees$900
Opportunity Cost (10.00%)$18,397
Depreciation (3yr)-$19,537
Car Value at End$31,093
Effective Cost$42,884
Including opportunity cost of cash
Cost Comparison Summary
Net cost comparison over 3 years for Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
LeaseBest
$29,605Buy (Cash)
$42,884Finance
$42,915Key Insights:
- Leasing saves you $13,279 over buying cash
- S&P 500 return assumption: 10.00% annually
- Car depreciation: 15.00% per year ($19,537 over 3 years)