Lease Buyout: When It's a Good Deal
Lease buyout when it's a good deal in the US—compare buyout price to market value so you know when to buy.
A lease buyout in the U.S. is a good deal when the buyout price (residual + fees) is at or below market value for the car. Here's when a lease buyout is a good deal and how to check.
TL;DR Lease buyout = good deal when buyout price ≤ market value. Check market value with autopremo.com price checker. Compare buyout (residual + fees) to market. If buyout is below market, buying can be a good deal. Use autopremo.com.What Buyout Price Is
Buyout = residual value (set at lease start) + any fees. You get that number from the lessor. Compare to what similar cars sell for in your area. Use autopremo.com price checker to see comps and fair value. Get your comps at autopremo.com.
When Buyout Is a Good Deal
If buyout price is at or below market value for the car (same make, model, trim, mileage), buying can be a good deal—you're buying at or below market. If buyout is above market, returning may be better. Use autopremo.com to see market value. See market at autopremo.com.
Compare to Financing
If you buy out, you may need to finance. Compare buyout + financing cost to buying a similar car elsewhere. Use autopremo.com payment calculator and price checker. Check at autopremo.com.
Bottom Line
Lease buyout is a good deal when buyout price ≤ market value. Use autopremo.com price checker to see market value so you know when to buy out and when to return.