Question:

Some of my friends say buying is the only smart move, but others swear by leasing… So, what’s the truth in 2026?

Answer:

The truth is… it depends. (Annoying, yes, but also empowering.) The buy-versus-lease decision ultimately isn’t about which option is “better.” Rather, it’s about which option fits your lifestyle, driving habits, and your real budget right now. That means doing the math and looking beyond your monthly payments to understand the total cost, long-term savings, and how each option fits into your broader financial picture. 

In other words, don’t lease or buy simply because one of those options sounds appealing; make sure the numbers actually work for you. Here’s how to think about this decision:

What are the pros with leasing?

Leasing can feel easier and often cheaper in the short term. If you focus only on what monthly payment you can afford, leasing a car is generally less expensive than buying one. That lower payment is the single biggest reason people lease.

Leasing also means you’re typically driving a newer car with a warranty, so you don’t have to worry as much about costly repairs as the car ages. And yes, there’s something undeniably appealing about trading in your car for a newer model every few years without dealing with resale values or wondering whether you owe more than the car is worth.

Leasing tends to work well if:

• You drive fewer than about 12,000–15,000 miles per year
• You like having a new car every few years
• You want a lower monthly payment
• You prefer avoiding long-term maintenance surprises

For many drivers, that mileage cap isn’t a huge issue, most Americans drive somewhere in the 12,000–15,000-mile range each year. But if you go over your mileage allowance, penalties can be steep. Many leases charge around $0.15 to $0.25 per mile (and sometimes more). So, if you were to go over by 10,000 miles, you could owe $2,500 at the end. Yikes.

You can opt for a high-mileage lease, but you’ll need to decide at the beginning and your monthly payments will rise.

Another reality check: terminating your lease early can cost almost as much as finishing the entire term. Leasing works best when you know you’ll keep the car for the full two-to-four-year period.

What are the cons with leasing?

The biggest one is easy: at the end of the lease, you don’t own the car. So, you will have made years worth of payments, but you won’t have an actual asset to sell (or keep) once your lease is up.

You may have considered buying the car after your lease is done, but the dealer may estimate that your car is worth more than its actual market value when the lease is up, which means you might not get the deal you were expecting.

Wear and tear can also be a headache, because any dents, scratches or ripped upholstery can trigger fees at lease return time. (Ahem, this means leasing can be tricky for parents of small children or pets!)

What are the pros with buying? 

Buying is usually the better choice if you’re thinking long-term. If you drive more than 15,000 miles a year, love taking road trips, or simply prefer to keep your cars for a decade (or more), then purchasing is often the smarter move.

When you buy a car, it’s yours. Which means there are no mileage restrictions, you don’t get penalized for wear and tear, and once the loan is paid off, the car is yours to do with as you wish — sell, trade in, or run it into the ground.

Buying also makes sense if your life is messy in the best way. Kids spilling snacks? Dog fur permanently woven into the upholstery? Scratches from loading sports gear or strollers? No problem.

What are the cons with buying?

Buying usually means:

• A higher monthly payment (or a longer loan term
• A larger down payment — often 10% to 20%
• Paying for repairs once the warranty expires

And if you stretch your loan to 5–7 years to keep your monthly payment low, you could still be making car payments after your warranty ends, which means you might be paying for repairs and the loan at the same time, which does not sound fun.

What about buying used instead of new?

For many people, buying a used car is where the real savings live.

The average used car purchase currently sits around $26,000, while new cars come in at a whopping $49,191, according to data from Kelly Blue Book. That’s a big difference.

New cars also lose their value fast. Experts estimate that the minute you drive a new car off the lot, it can lose around 10% of its value. Depreciation continues rapidly in the first few years, which is why buying a slightly used vehicle can often be the sweet spot financially.

That said, it’s not always a slam dunk. Some vehicles hold their value so well that a two- or three-year-old version isn’t dramatically cheaper than new. Others, especially luxury vehicles, may see much larger early depreciation, making them better used bargains.

Even after you budget for repairs, buying used often still saves money over buying new or leasing, but you have to shop around.

Know this before you step into a dealership

Preparation is your best hidden weapon.

Before you walk in:

• Do your research
• Know what it’s “worth it” on the market
• Understand your total cost, including taxes and fees, not just your monthly payment.

Then, run the numbers on both leasing and buying so you can see exactly where you’ll save the most overtime and make sure whichever option you choose fits comfortably within your budget today and in the future.

And before you get financing for any car through a dealership, talk to us! Credit unions are known for having lower interest rates, more flexible loan terms, and fewer fees than traditional lenders or dealer-arranged financing. Even a small rate difference can save you hundreds or thousands over the life of the loan. We are here to help!