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The $250 does seem a little high for 5 years. Here in San Diego, you can get a Camry LE 4 cylinder for $269 on a 3 years, 12k per year with only total drive off of $850 (includes DMV and 1st pmt). A 5 year loan would run about $420 a month. In this case, I would say finance it if you can afford the extra payment, because after 5 years you would own the car. I agree with JMSinMD in that you lease the term of the bumper to bumper warranty, since it isn't your car.
In fact, I just leased a Highlander Hybrid last night. MSRP: $33,912. 36 mo 12k/yr w/ total drive off of $1,500. Lease pmt is $325 + tax. 5 year loan payment on this would be about $600 a month.
Leasing are good if you can keep the car in good condition, stay within the mileage restriction, and enjoy changing cars every few years. If you compare what you pay out on 3 year lease with with what your net cost would be if you sold the car 3 years into a 5 year loan, the difference may be about a 1,000 in favor of the finance. If you are not sure if you want to keep the car, then leasing may be good. plus you don't have to deal with trying to sell the car.
In addition, many times manufacturer offer excellent lease rates. For instance, with my Highlander, the lease rate converted to interest comes out to be about 1.8%. I can put the extra amount that I would have made on a finance payment (in my case about $275 a month) in my bank and earn interest on it, which will help offset some of my lease cost.
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