← Guides · November 9, 2026
Lease or Buy a $38,000 Car? A 36-Month Example
Compare a $38,000 car over 36 months.
Lease: $479 a month, $2,500 due at signing, 12,000 miles allowed, $0.25 per extra mile and a $395 fee. Driving 13,000 miles a year adds about $750. Net cost: about $20,889, or $580 a month.
Buy: $5,000 down and a 60-month loan at 7.5%: payment about $661. After 36 months you owe about $14,695 and the car is worth about $21,280 (56%). Net cost: about $22,220, or $617 a month.
Takeaway
Leasing is about $1,331 cheaper here, but you keep nothing at the end. If you drive more, keep cars longer, or resale is stronger, buying wins.
Try your own offers in the calculator.