Automobile Lease Versus Purchase Analysis Would it surprise you to learn that about 30% of new cars are leased and not purchased? (U.S. News & World Report). In this assignment, you'll use assumed data to perform a lease versus purchase analysis for a new vehicle. INSTRUCTIONS

Use the automobile lease versus purchase analysis form in Worksheet 5.1 to find the total cost of both the lease and the purchase using the following, assumed information:

You are trying to decide whether to lease or purchase a new car costing $18,000. If you lease, you'll have to pay a $600 security deposit and monthly payments of $425 over the 36-month term of the closed-end lease. On the other hand, if you buy the car then you'll have to make a $2,400 down payment and will finance the balance with a 36-month, 5 percent loan; you'll also have to pay a 6 percent sales tax ($1,080) on the purchase price, and you expects the car to have a residual value of $6,500 at the end of 3 years. You can earn 2 percent interest on your savings and plan to include the sales tax in the amount financed on the purchase. Save your file as "worksheet 5.1 - your name". Once you have completed the worksheet, write a 2-3 paragraph reflection discussing the following: According to the Automobile Lease Versus Purchase Analysis, is leasing or buying a better choice?

Does this surprise you? Have you ever leased, or known a friend or family member who leased a car? Was it a "good" experience for you (or them)? Why or why not?

What is your personal opinion on leasing versus buying?