To compare cash, finance, and lease on the same car, you need three numbers built from the same selling price, the same taxes and fees for your ZIP code, and the same down payment: the out-the-door cash total, the monthly finance payment at your credit range and term, and the monthly lease payment on the current factory program. Broker Black shows all three on every partner car with one click between them. This page explains what each number contains and how to read the differences.
| Cash | Finance | Lease | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price basis | Selling price | Selling price | Selling price (capitalized cost) |
| Sales tax | Full price, minus trade where the state credits it | Same, financed into the loan | On each payment in most states; on the full price in a few |
| What you pay for | The whole car | The whole car, plus interest | The depreciation over the term, plus rent charge |
| Ends with | A title in your name | A title after the last payment | Return, buy at the residual, or trade |
| Best when | You keep cars a long time and want no interest | You want to own and spread the cost | You want a lower payment, a new car every few years, and predictable miles |
Leasing tends to win on cars with strong residuals and a factory-subsidized money factor, and when you drive under the mileage allowance. Financing tends to win when you keep cars well past the loan and drive a lot. Cash wins when the rate you would pay is higher than what the money earns elsewhere. The comparison on the car page shows which of those is true for the specific car and program that month.
Per month, usually. Over the life of the car, financing and keeping it is usually cheaper. The car page shows both payments for the same car so you can weigh the difference against how long you keep cars.
Yes. The cash number on Broker Black is the out-the-door total: selling price, sales tax at your rate, title, registration, and the dealer's doc fee, with your trade applied.
Yes. The reservation holds the car; the structure is finalized with your Concierge and the dealer before paperwork.