Jun 26, 2015

Leasing vs. Buying A Vehicle

Making a car purchase is a big decision. But, with so many options to choose from – like whether or not you should lease or buy – car shopping often gets a bad reputation as a stressful activity. However, it doesn’t have to be a headache. Instead, it should be an exciting experience that’s fun and engaging. At Southpoint Volkswagen our team is dedicated to making the car buying experience easy and enjoyable by providing our customers with car buying tips.

What You Need to Know About Buying A Car In Baton Rouge

Perhaps the most notable benefit of buying a car rather than leasing it is that you’ll eventually own the vehicle.  Eventual ownership can be a huge plus, as it means you’re free from making future car payments, have the right to sell the vehicle at will, and can make any changes to the vehicle desired. Another benefit of buying is that you’ll never have to worry about any minor damages that occur to the car, other than just the basic costs to clean/repair. Of course, you can also drive as much as you want without any penalties.

Another consideration is the amount of money available as a down payment.  If you are a buyer who prefers to reduce monthly obligations with up-front money or a down payment (cash on hand to use toward vehicle purchase) then you might choose to purchase rather than lease.

One of the main reasons car shoppers in Baton Rouge choose to buy rather than lease is the number of miles they drive in a typical year.  If you are a driver who drives more than 15,000 miles a year and enjoys owning a car, buying is probably the choice for you.

Facts about Leasing A Car In Baton Rouge

Unlike buying, which often requires high monthly payments and typically insists on a down payment, leasing usually doesn’t warrant either. As such, the most obvious advantage to leasing a vehicle is that the upfront costs are less – no down payment and smaller monthly payments.

In addition to the costs, another benefit of leasing is that you never have to worry about driving an old car, which is a big plus for those who want to trade in an older model for a newer one every few years. Also because of the term of the lease usually falls in line with the car’s warranty most maintenance and repairs are done at little to no cost.

If you own a company or receive a monthly car allowance there might be some additional tax benefits to leasing.  Check with your tax advisor.

Lastly, if you decide to lease you are not necessarily giving up on vehicle ownership.  There is always the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease term.

The Takeaway: Which is better

There is no right answer to this question.  The decision whether to purchase or lease is a personal one.  As you can see there are benefits to both options and our goal is to provide our customers with the best option for their situation.

When it’s time for your next vehicle, our award winning Volkswagen dealership in Baton Rouge is ready and able to guide you in the right direction. Whether you are buying or leasing, our Volkswagen team is here to provide you with quality vehicles, low prices, and an individual car buying experience.