Can Gift Card Offers Really Save You Money?

Buying a new car is one of the most stressful things you can do today, regardless of how dealerships attempt to make it easy on you. Along with determining whether you should opt for a fully optioned automobile or a more affordable one, whether to choose red or silver or black, you’ll also have to determine whether you want to buy the vehicle or simply lease it. Depending on how you use the vehicle, the decision isn’t so cut and dried. Casual drivers and long distance drivers will want to carefully consider their options before jumping to a decision. Making the wrong decision will cost you.

Leasing a car is very simple, and for the right driver, a great way to get behind the wheel of your dream car at a great price. If you aren’t already familiar with leasing, it works very simply. You make a down payment or security deposit on a vehicle that is a fixed amount set by the manufacturer. You then make payments at a set rate for a fixed number of years, typically around four years. 

Leasing is a good idea if you like to drive a fresh new car every few years, and works well if you aren’t particularly interested in customizing your car. That being said, there are some caveats that have to be considered. When the vehicle is no longer on lease, you’ll have the option to purchase it, but if you return it, be ready to pay some money. If you don’t return the vehicle in prime condition, you’ll be liable for any damages that the car has taken. That parking lot scratch? You’ll be paying to fix that. Bad starter? If it isn’t covered by warranty, you’ll be paying for it.

Purchasing, on the other hand, means that you own the vehicle outright when you’re done making payments on it. This is a good situation for people who don’t mind owning a vehicle for ten years or longer, particularly with today’s cars that are far more reliable and long-lasting than ever before. Since warranties in some cases can last ten years, it isn’t unreasonable to believe that you’ll have use of your vehicle far longer than you’d be paying for it. If this is the case with you, then you’d do well not to lease, but to purchase your car.

The biggest difference between leasing and purchasing at the outset, though, is simply how much you’ll pay per month. Generally speaking, a lease costs less than an outright purchase, making it a good deal if you’re on a budget.

Regardless of whether you choose to lease or purchase your next vehicle, it’s important that you carefully consider both your options before you make a final decision. Only in this way can you be sure to get the deal that’s right for you.