A vehicle is one of the largest purchases one makes, ergo, a significant amount of research should go into every aspect. From the make/model you have your heart set on to interior features to the total price of the vehicle; there are many factors that contribute to building, pricing, and purchasing the best vehicle for your needs. Because vehicles are a large investment, dealers, and banks alike, offer various payment options to suit your lifestyle. Leasing, financing, or purchasing a vehicle outright are the methods offered by the dealers when it comes to payment. Figuring out how you want to proceed with pricing will help you get that much further in purchasing your desired vehicle. Our Dealer Invoice Report can also help you ensure that, no matter what payment method you choose, you are getting the best deal on a new vehicle that Canada has to offer!
What are the differences between leasing, financing, and purchasing a vehicle outright?
All of these methods vary significantly to help suit the needs of as many individuals as possible. The key differences pertain to ownership of the vehicle and term payments.
Financing; albeit, the most popular means of paying for a vehicle, financing offers a good level of flexibility. Financing encompasses paying for the total price of the vehicle in denominations over a selected term. By the end of the financing term, you have complete ownership of the vehicle.
Leasing; leasing is a popular option for those who like to upgrade their vehicles frequently and aren’t doing copious amounts of driving. Similar to financing, leasing requires weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payments owing to the balance of the total lease. The main difference between financing and leasing is ownership; when leasing, you do not own the vehicle.
Buying outright; buying a vehicle outright is not as common as leasing or financing and is typically done when the cost or age of the vehicle does not meet the requirements of leasing/financing (more specifically, used vehicles). Although purchasing a brand new vehicle outright is not done as much as financing or leasing, it is the easiest method of payment as a surfeit of background checks (credit, employment, etc) are usually not required.
Is it a good idea to buy a car on finance?
As mentioned previously, financing is the most popular method of purchasing a vehicle. Financing a vehicle possesses the best attributes of leasing and buying outright, simultaneously; owning the vehicle whilst being able to pay in smaller sums. If you are planning on keeping your vehicle long-term, do a significant amount of driving, and don’t have the cash to pay in full (or the desire to part with such a hefty amount of money in one shot), financing is a viable option for you. Financing a vehicle also allows for more leeway when adding features to your vehicle. For example, if you wanted to add a sunroof to your vehicle, it could run you anywhere from $500-$2,000, however, when financing, you can discuss adding this feature to your vehicle at the time of purchase and break apart the cost. Instead of paying thousands outright, the cost of the upgrade is spread across your term, ergo, your sunroof will cost you a few extra bucks a month.
It’s important to note that financing comes with an interest rate contingent on your credit score, thus, you will be paying more for the vehicle that you would if you were buying outright. If you have excellent credit, expect interest rates to be on the lower, however, if you have poor or no credit, you could be paying upwards of 30%. It’s important to review your score to see what interest rate category you fall into. Our Dealer Invoice Report also aids with financing to help you get the lowest interest rate possible for your individual situation.
How does financing work? Financing can be a relatively easy process provided you have all the key information you need. The dealer will show you various payment terms based on the vehicle of your choice; the longer the term, the lower the weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments and vice versa. A typical term is 5 years or 60 months, but can be shorter or longer depending on your financial state and the year/make of the vehicle. The dealer will then require your financial information (credit score, credit history, letter of employment) and determine your interest rate based on these factors. Once the term, payments, and interest rates are worked out, you can opt to add any upgrades. When you obtain the vehicle, you are required to make your payments until the term is over, however, at any point, you can contribute money to lessen the term period or monthly payments. Giving a down payment can also lessen the monthly payments.
Pros
- Payment terms and prices are flexible; you can opt for a longer term with cheaper payments or a shorter term with higher payments depending on your preference
- Allows you to get a higher priced vehicle, if desired, without having to fork out a lump sum of cash
- Upgrades can be added for low monthly payments
Cons
- You are locked into a contract and failure to pay could lead to the loss of your vehicle
- Loans typically come from the bank, meaning you are taking on a debt
- The interest rate is added onto the full cost of the vehicle, depending on your credit score, it could amount to a significant increase in cost
Is it a good idea to lease a car?
Leasing is not as popular as financing a vehicle, but it does pose a lot of benefits. Similar to financing, leasing requires weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payment for a fixed term, however, you are not the owner of the vehicle. You will be required to turn over the vehicle at the end of the lease or in some cases, the dealer may offer incentives for purchasing it post-lease. Leasing is a viable option for those who like to upgrade vehicles frequently as you are not fully committed to the vehicle. Most people lease for a 1-3 year period and upgrade thereafter.
If you are a city dweller and don’t typically do a lot of driving, leasing is a good option to consider. When leasing a vehicle, you are given a set amount of kilometres per year (extra charges apply should you go over) – if you do a small amount of driving, this shouldn’t be an issue. If there are any problems with the vehicle, they are typically covered by the dealer leasing you the vehicle (restrictions apply).
How does leasing work? Just like financing, the dealer works with you to find a term and payment plan based on your financial state and your desired vehicle. The cost is calculated based on the time frame and predictive depreciation of the vehicle; for example, if your lease term is 3 years and the car is expected to depreciate by 30% over the next 3 years, you will be paying for 70% of the vehicles total cost. Once your lease is over, you can opt to lease another vehicle or work with the dealer to purchase the vehicle you have been leasing at a lower cost.
Pros
- You can upgrade your vehicle regularly without having to purchase in full
- The rates are typically cheaper than those pertaining to financing
- You don’t have to worry about selling/trading a vehicle when you are done with it
Cons
- You do not own the vehicle, meaning you have to be especially cautious
- You are given a fixed amount of KMs and if you go over them, the costs are high
- Most leases aren’t offered past 3 years, meaning you have to commit to upgrading or purchase a vehicle thereafter
Is it a good idea to buy a vehicle outright?
Purchasing a vehicle outright is the most straightforward and easiest process out of the three, however, the issue with this is evident – if you don’t have the cash, you cannot buy the vehicle. Buying a vehicle outright minimizes the need for extensive paperwork (obtaining employment information, credit history, etc). Because you are not borrowing the money, the dealer is under the assumption that you accept the responsibility for the full payment, thus, credit history and other financial information is not required.
Purchasing a vehicle outright allows you to forego interest payments which will save you money in the long run. Our Dealer Invoice Report also contains cash incentives that can lower the price of the vehicle even more. Most dealers will accept our cash incentives with no issues because they are guaranteed to be paid on the sale. If you have the means to pay for a vehicle outright and don’t want to be locked into a debt/contract, consider doing so.
How does purchasing a vehicle outright work? This is the simplest of the methods and doesn’t require much. Discuss the model/make of the vehicle you want and bring forth any cash incentives you are eligible for. The dealer will then work out the best possible price, factoring your Dealer Invoice Report, incentives, desired add-ons, warranty, and taxes. Once you sign and make the payment, the vehicle is yours!
Pros
- You are not locked into a contract nor do you acquire a debt
- You forego the interest rates that come with financing
- You fully own the vehicle; there is no worry about not being able to make the payments as there are none associated with the physical cost of the vehicle
Cons
- Most new vehicles cost tens of thousands of dollars which can be difficult to pay all at once. You have to ensure you, not only have the funds to pay the full cost but doing so will also not leave you with nothing
- If you want any add-ons or upgrades, these will have to be paid in full as well, either at the time of purchase thereafter
- You are responsible for selling or trading the vehicle if/when you decide to do so
Deciding how you want to go about paying for your vehicle is contingent on your desire to own, your current financial state and how much you drive. Regardless of whether you want to lease, finance, or purchase outright, our Dealer Invoice Report can help you save thousands on your new vehicle!