Car Lease Buyout Calculator
For comparison, not used in direct buyout calculation.
Financing Options (Optional)
Buyout Analysis
'; resultsHtml += 'Current Buyout Quote: $' + currentPayoffQuote.toFixed(2) + "; if (!isNaN(residualValue) && residualValue > 0) { resultsHtml += 'Lease End Residual Value: $' + residualValue.toFixed(2) + "; if (currentPayoffQuote < residualValue) { resultsHtml += 'Your current buyout quote is lower than the lease end residual value. This could be a good opportunity to buy.'; } else if (currentPayoffQuote > residualValue) { resultsHtml += 'Your current buyout quote is higher than the lease end residual value. Consider waiting until lease end or negotiating.'; } } resultsHtml += 'Option 1: Buy Out Lease (Cash Purchase)
'; resultsHtml += 'Purchase Price (Quote + Fee): $' + buyoutPriceBeforeTax.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'Sales Tax (' + salesTaxRate.toFixed(2) + '%): $' + salesTaxAmount.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'Registration & Title Fees: $' + registrationTitleFees.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'Total Cash Buyout Cost: $' + totalCashBuyoutCost.toFixed(2) + ''; if (financingAttempted) { resultsHtml += 'Option 2: Buy Out Lease (Financed)
'; if (amountToFinance <= 0) { resultsHtml += 'Your new loan down payment of $' + newLoanDownPayment.toFixed(2) + ' covers the entire buyout cost. No new loan needed.'; resultsHtml += 'Total Financed Buyout Cost (effectively cash): $' + totalCashBuyoutCost.toFixed(2) + ''; } else { resultsHtml += 'Amount to Finance: $' + amountToFinance.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'New Loan Monthly Payment: $' + monthlyLoanPayment.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'New Loan Term: ' + newLoanTerm + ' months'; resultsHtml += 'Total Financed Buyout Cost (including down payment): $' + totalFinancedBuyoutCost.toFixed(2) + ''; } } resultsHtml += 'Option 3: Finish Lease Term
'; resultsHtml += 'Remaining Lease Payments: ' + remainingPayments + ' x $' + monthlyPaymentAmount.toFixed(2) + ' = $' + totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost.toFixed(2) + "; resultsHtml += 'This does not include potential excess mileage, wear & tear, or disposition fees.'; resultsHtml += 'Summary & Comparison
'; resultsHtml += 'Cost to Buy Out (Cash): $' + totalCashBuyoutCost.toFixed(2) + "; if (financingAttempted) { resultsHtml += 'Cost to Buy Out (Financed): $' + totalFinancedBuyoutCost.toFixed(2) + "; } resultsHtml += 'Cost to Finish Lease: $' + totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost.toFixed(2) + "; if (totalCashBuyoutCost < totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost) { resultsHtml += 'Decision Insight: Buying out the lease for cash appears to be more cost-effective than finishing the lease term, potentially saving you $' + (totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost – totalCashBuyoutCost).toFixed(2) + '.'; } else if (totalCashBuyoutCost > totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost) { resultsHtml += 'Decision Insight: Finishing your lease term might be more cost-effective than a cash buyout, potentially saving you $' + (totalCashBuyoutCost – totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost).toFixed(2) + '.'; } else { resultsHtml += 'Decision Insight: The cost to buy out for cash is similar to finishing the lease term.'; } if (financingAttempted && totalFinancedBuyoutCost > 0) { if (totalFinancedBuyoutCost < totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost) { resultsHtml += 'Decision Insight (Financed): Financing the buyout appears more cost-effective than finishing the lease term, potentially saving you $' + (totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost – totalFinancedBuyoutCost).toFixed(2) + '.'; } else if (totalFinancedBuyoutCost > totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost) { resultsHtml += 'Decision Insight (Financed): Finishing your lease term might be more cost-effective than financing the buyout, potentially saving you $' + (totalFinancedBuyoutCost – totalRemainingLeasePaymentsCost).toFixed(2) + '.'; } } resultDiv.innerHTML = resultsHtml; } .calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 700px; margin: 30px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-container h2 { text-align: center; color: #333; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 1.8em; } .calculator-container h3 { color: #555; margin-top: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 8px; font-size: 1.3em; } .calculator-container h4 { color: #666; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 1.1em; } .input-group { margin-bottom: 15px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; } .input-group label { margin-bottom: 7px; color: #444; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.95em; } .input-group input[type="number"] { padding: 10px 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1em; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.3s; } .input-group input[type="number"]:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.2); } .input-group small { color: #777; font-size: 0.85em; margin-top: 5px; } button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 12px 25px; border: none; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.1em; margin-top: 20px; width: 100%; transition: background-color 0.3s ease; } button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; } .calculator-results { margin-top: 30px; padding: 20px; background: #eaf4ff; border: 1px solid #cce0ff; border-radius: 8px; } .calculator-results p { margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; } .calculator-results p strong { color: #000; } .calculator-results .highlight { color: #007bff; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; } .calculator-results .error { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; } .calculator-results .note { font-style: italic; color: #6c757d; font-size: 0.9em; } .calculator-results .decision { background-color: #d4edda; color: #155724; border: 1px solid #c3e6cb; padding: 10px 15px; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 15px; font-weight: bold; }Understanding Your Car Lease Buyout Options
At the end of a car lease, or sometimes even during the lease term, you're typically presented with a few options: return the car, lease a new one, or buy out your current leased vehicle. A car lease buyout means you purchase the vehicle from the leasing company, becoming its owner. This calculator helps you understand the financial implications of buying out your lease versus continuing with your lease payments.
When Does a Lease Buyout Make Sense?
Deciding whether to buy out your lease depends on several factors:
- Market Value vs. Residual Value: If the car's current market value is significantly lower than its residual value (the predetermined value at lease end), returning the car might be better. However, if the market value is *higher* than the residual value, buying it out could be a smart financial move, as you'd be purchasing it for less than it's worth.
- Current Buyout Quote: Leasing companies often provide a "current payoff quote" which is the amount you'd pay to buy the car today. This quote might differ from the residual value, especially if you're buying out early.
- Condition of the Vehicle: If your car has excessive wear and tear or high mileage, you might face significant fees when returning it. Buying it out allows you to avoid these charges.
- Attachment to the Car: If you love your car and want to keep it, a buyout is the way to go. You know its history and maintenance.
- Financing Availability: Can you secure a favorable loan rate for the buyout? This calculator includes options to assess financed buyouts.
Key Terms in Your Lease Buyout
- Current Buyout Quote: The exact amount the leasing company will sell the vehicle to you for today. This is the primary figure for your buyout calculation.
- Lease End Residual Value: The estimated value of the vehicle at the end of your lease term, as stated in your lease agreement. This is a good benchmark for comparison.
- Remaining Lease Payments: If you buy out your lease early, you typically avoid these payments. The calculator helps you compare the cost of these payments against the buyout cost.
- Lease Purchase Option Fee: A fee charged by the leasing company for the administrative costs of transferring ownership.
- Sales Tax Rate: The applicable sales tax in your state or locality, applied to the purchase price of the vehicle.
- Registration & Title Fees: Government fees for transferring the vehicle's title and registering it in your name.
- New Loan Down Payment: If you choose to finance the buyout, this is the upfront cash you put towards the purchase.
- New Loan Annual Interest Rate: The interest rate you'd pay on a new car loan to finance the buyout.
- New Loan Term: The duration (in months) over which you'd repay the new loan.
How to Use the Car Lease Buyout Calculator
- Enter Your Current Buyout Quote: This is the most critical figure, usually obtained directly from your leasing company.
- Provide Lease End Residual Value: Find this in your original lease agreement. It's used for comparison.
- Input Remaining Lease Details: Enter the number of months left on your lease and your current monthly payment amount.
- Add Fees and Taxes: Include any purchase option fees, your local sales tax rate, and estimated registration/title fees.
- Consider Financing (Optional): If you plan to take out a new loan to buy the car, enter your desired down payment, the estimated annual interest rate, and the loan term.
- Click "Calculate Buyout": The calculator will provide a detailed breakdown of the total cost for a cash buyout, a financed buyout (if applicable), and the total cost of simply finishing your lease term.
Use the results to compare your options and make an informed decision about whether buying out your leased car is the right choice for you.