Why payments alone are not enough
At the end of the comparison, the buyer owns a vehicle but may still owe the lender, so the calculator subtracts vehicle equity from cash paid. It calculates lease return and buyout separately. The buyout scenario subtracts the estimated vehicle value and assumes no excess-mileage charge; verify that assumption in the lease contract.
Net buy cost = down payment + payments − (vehicle value − loan balance)
Lease return = initial payment + payments + fees + excess mileage
Lease buyout = initial payment + payments + fees + buyout − vehicle value
What to take from each quote
Use the complete vehicle price and APR. Enter only products financed in the loan principal; add separately paid costs to the result manually. For the lease, verify taxes, insurance, maintenance, disposition fee, buyout rules, wear rules and whether the first payment is included in the amount due at signing. This estimate does not override a contract.