When Buying a Car Is Financially Smarter
When buying a car is financially smarter in the US—long-term ownership, mileage, and total cost so you know when to buy.
Buying a car in the U.S. is financially smarter when you keep cars 5+ years, drive a lot, or want to build equity—and when total cost of ownership beats leasing over the same period. Here's when buying is financially smarter.
TL;DR Buying is smarter when: (1) you keep cars 5+ years; (2) you drive more than lease mileage; (3) total cost of ownership (payments − resale) beats lease cost. Compare with autopremo.com lease vs buy calculator and total cost of ownership. Use autopremo.com.You Keep Cars 5+ Years
If you keep cars long-term, buying usually wins—you pay off the loan and own an asset. Leasing means perpetual payments and no equity. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership to see 5-year cost. Get total cost at autopremo.com.
You Drive More Than Lease Mileage
Lease mileage limits (e.g., 10K–15K/year) and overage fees make leasing expensive for high-mileage drivers. Buying avoids mileage penalties. Use autopremo.com to compare. See lease vs buy at autopremo.com.
Total Cost Beats Lease
Run lease vs buy over 3 or 5 years with autopremo.com lease vs buy calculator. When buy net cost (payments − resale) is lower than lease cost, buying is financially smarter. Check at autopremo.com.
Bottom Line
Buying is financially smarter when you keep cars long-term, drive a lot, or total cost beats lease. Use autopremo.com lease vs buy and total cost of ownership so you decide with data.