What are the pros and cons of leasing a car?

In the market for a new car? Consumer Reports outlines the pros and cons of car leasing. read more

Leasing costs more over time: All thing being equal, for a given auto, the monthly payment for a two year lease is lower than a loan payment. This means that if are focusing just on the monthly payment, then the cash flow cost of lease payments is lower than buying. read more

Lease payments are based on the depreciation between the car’s sticker price and the projected value of the car at the end of the lease, combined with a lease rate that is paid to the leasing company. read more

It's important to consider these pros and cons carefully. If you want to compare a lease deal with a loan to see which costs more, use our comparison (below) or an online car-lease calculator. If a lease's limitations put you off, consider buying a less expensive new car or a well-maintained used car such as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle from a franchised dealer, or getting a longer loan term. read more

The pros and cons of leasing a car. (MoneyWatch) I continue to get a lot of questions from readers about whether they should lease or buy a new car. Personally, I favor buying a "slightly used" car -- one that's about two years old -- with low mileage, good maintenance reviews and safety records. read more