Should I Buy or Lease?

You have your eyes set on a Volkswagen car, but what’s holding you back from driving in one is whether you should buy or lease your next car. Luckily, Suntrup Volkswagen has prepared this quick leasing vs. buying guide to help you and other St Louis drivers who are in this situation! Depending on your driving needs, wants, and budget, you will find yourself leaning towards one over the other. Come and find out before applying for financing with Suntrup Volkswagen!

Leasing vs. Buying: Payments

First things first, the cost is one of the most important factors St Peters drivers need to consider as it can make or break their ability to afford their next car. Take a look at the differences when it comes to payments below.

Leasing

• You’ll have lower monthly payments as well as down payment and taxes. 
• If you get a new lease every few years, your payments will stay relatively the same.
• A major plus is that you won’t have to worry about any expensive service or repair costs. 

Buying

• When you buy, there is a possibility to not have to pay monthly payments. This is usually the case when buying used vehicles in St. Louis since it is more budget-friendly than leasing a new car. 
• Drivers who have successfully paid off their Webster ride will spend less than drivers who continue to lease. 
• Do keep in mind that when a vehicle ages, you might end up spending more on maintenance and repair costs. 

So when you look at costs alone, should you buy or lease? Well, Suntrup Volkswagen suggests that if you want to keep up with the latest features, then you are probably better off with leasing. However, if you are committed to having complete ownership, then you should consider financing as it could be a good investment. 

Leasing vs. Buying: Ownership

Next, let’s see what ownership is like for leasing and buying. 

Buying

• When you finance your next car, there are no restrictions whether it is mileage or customization. The car is all yours! So, drive as much or as little as you want, and add a personal touch to your car. 

Leasing

• When you decide to lease, you will have to stay within the strict mileage restrictions that you’ve agreed to.
• You will also need to keep the vehicle as close to factory condition as possible, so you won’t be able to customize it. While you are free to use the car during your term, the car still belongs to the dealership at the end of the day. 
•  If you break these restrictions, you will have to pay a fee at the end of your lease. 

If your commutes are mostly short or you aren’t a fan of personalizing your vehicle, then you will probably find that a lease matches your driving needs. However, if you are always on the road, including going on road trips and weekend getaways, or if you want to make your car truly yours, then you should definitely consider buying your next ride. 

Leasing vs. Buying: Options & Processes

Lastly, you should consider how the leasing and financing processes go and what options you have if you want to switch your car. 

Buying

• Even though you are locked into a contract, you can still sell or trade in the vehicle at any time as long as the vehicle is worth more than you owe. 
• When you have been financing the car for a while, there is a chance that you can refinance for a lower rate. 
• However, if you just really love this car, you can keep it for as long as you like. After all, you do own it!

Leasing

• While you cannot sell or trade in the car during your term like drivers who finance their car, you will only have to take care of the vehicle during the term, which is usually a few years. 
• Once it’s the end of your lease, you can bring it back to the dealership and drive away with a new vehicle!
• If you realized that this could be the perfect car for you and you want to keep it, then you might be able to buy out the lease and own it fully. 

The low commitment of leasing is attractive for many drivers. However, if you still want to buy, you reserve the option to sell or trade in your car at any time. You can easily find out the value with our free trade-in calculator or find out the instant cash offer based on Kelley Blue Book® values. 

Lease or Finance With Suntrup Volkswagen Today!

Once you have decided if you are leasing or buying, get started with our finance center at Suntrup Volkswagen. If you don’t know your credit score, you should check it for free beforehand. This way, you can advocate for the best and fairest options for your financial situation. We are happy to answer any questions, so feel free to reach out to us!