Verified Formula, Methodology & Frequently Asked Questions: Car Lease vs Buy Total 3-Year Net Cost Calculator
Compare the true 36-month net cost of leasing (with $0 ending equity) against buying and building resale equity.
Verified Mathematical Equation: Net Cost of Buying (3 Yrs) = Down Payment + (36 × Monthly Loan Payment) − (3-Yr Resale Value − Remaining Loan Balance)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the Car Lease vs Buy Total 3-Year Net Cost Calculator work in 2026?
Compare the true 36-month net cost of leasing (with $0 ending equity) against buying and building resale equity. It uses the industry-standard formula (
Net Cost of Buying (3 Yrs) = Down Payment + (36 × Monthly Loan Payment) − (3-Yr Resale Value − Remaining Loan Balance)) and updates your KPIs, visual breakdown bar, and comparison table at 60fps as you type or drag the sliders.How can I share my exact scenario with a client, partner, or spouse?
Click the 🔗 Share Scenario Link button at the top of the page. It encodes every input you entered directly into a custom URL so anyone who clicks your link sees your exact numbers immediately.
Is my financial data private and does this work offline?
Yes—100% of calculations happen locally inside your browser using JavaScript. No personal or financial inputs are ever transmitted to an external database.
Can I embed the Car Lease vs Buy Total 3-Year Net Cost Calculator on my own website or client portal?
Yes! Click </> Embed on Your Site (Free) above to copy a clean, responsive
<iframe> widget that automatically adapts to any screen size.