When you’re shopping for a new car, there’s a lot to consider. Should you lease or buy it? Will it fit in your budget? Are the monthly payments affordable? Do you love the color options? But it is very vital to consider whether leasing is for you. Here’s what you need to know about leasing a car.
What is a Lease?
A lease is an agreement between the owner and lessee to rent the car for some time. The terms of your lease will be set by your leasing company, not by you. They determine how much you’ll pay per month and how many miles you can drive per year.
Leasing companies typically provide maintenance on vehicles through their service centers rather than having them repaired at local shops.
What are the Benefits of Leasing a Car?
No Down Payment
Leasing doesn’t require a large chunk of money as a deposit, and it’s easier to get approved for a lease than for an auto loan (especially if your credit isn’t perfect). And unlike loans and standard leases, where you must pay interest on the entire cost of the vehicle, leasing allows you to pay only for what’s being used at any given time. That makes it possible to lower your monthly payments than buying outright or taking out an auto loan.
Upgrade Every Few Years
With many leases up front, there’s no penalty for returning a car early—and since most leases allow slight mileage increases in subsequent agreements, this means that when one model becomes available with features like better fuel economy or more safety features, all you need to do is upgrade.
Get Access to Luxury Cars at Reasonable Prices
Save money by avoiding out-of-pocket expenses such as depreciation and maintenance fees associated with private ownership while still getting all of the perks of owning high-end vehicles!
What are the Downsides of Leasing a car?
There are several downsides to leasing a car. For example, you don’t own the vehicle, so you can’t sell it later and make a profit. Also, many leases include stipulations that prevent you from using the car as collateral for a loan or taking advantage of tax deductions associated with owning your vehicle.
Maintenance costs will be higher for leased vehicles because multiple people often drive them. Additionally, while there are certain exceptions depending on what state you live in, most lease agreements require drivers to maintain full coverage insurance on their vehicles.
When Should you Consider Leasing a Car?
If you don’t have any long-term plans to keep the car, leasing might be better. Leasing allows you to drive a new vehicle every few years without worrying about depreciation or resale value.
Since leasing involves monthly payments and requires no money down, it’s often cheaper than buying a vehicle outright. And if your credit score isn’t good enough for an auto loan, leasing might be the only way for you to get into a luxury car or one that is otherwise impossible to buy with cash on hand. You might need to ask yourself how long does a car line of credit last and make the best financial decision for your situation.
Does Credit Score Matter When Leasing a Car?
Yes, your credit score matters when leasing a car. When you apply for a lease, the dealer will check your credit before giving you an offer. If the dealer sees that your credit isn’t good enough to get approved for the lease, they may not be able to work with you at all.
Your credit history can also affect how much money you pay in interest on the lease. A good score means lower rates, while poor or bad scores usually mean higher
What do you need to qualify for a car lease?
Be at least 18 Years Old
Some leasing companies require that you be at least 21 years of age. This can apply to both your initial application and your ongoing payments on the vehicle.
Have a Clean Driving Record
If you have any tickets or moving violations on your record, it may affect your ability to get approved for a lease. There are exceptions if the ticket occurred within the last 12 months and was minor enough to not result in points against your license (e.g., parking tickets).
Income
Have a steady income or show that you can make regular monthly payments on the lease agreement (as well as other costs associated with owning and operating a vehicle).
Conclusion
Before you choose to lease a car, it’s important to ask yourself what your needs are. If you’re not planning on driving the same car for more than three years, then leasing might be right for you.
