.lease-calc-container { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 20px; }
.lease-calc-inputs { flex: 1; min-width: 300px; }
.lease-calc-results { flex: 1; min-width: 300px; background: #f8f9fa; padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid #dee2e6; }
.lease-calc-group { margin-bottom: 15px; }
.lease-calc-group label { display: block; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 14px; color: #495057; }
.lease-calc-group input { width: 100%; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ced4da; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; }
.lease-calc-btn { width: 100%; background-color: #007bff; color: white; border: none; padding: 12px; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; transition: background 0.2s; margin-top: 10px; }
.lease-calc-btn:hover { background-color: #0056b3; }
.lease-res-item { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-bottom: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #dee2e6; }
.lease-res-item:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
.lease-res-label { color: #6c757d; font-size: 15px; }
.lease-res-value { font-weight: 700; color: #212529; font-size: 16px; }
.lease-highlight { color: #28a745; font-size: 24px !important; }
.lease-article { margin-top: 30px; line-height: 1.6; color: #444; }
.lease-article h2 { color: #212529; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 15px; }
.lease-article h3 { color: #333; font-size: 18px; margin-top: 20px; }
Understanding How Your Car Lease is Calculated
Leasing a car is often more complex than purchasing one because you are essentially paying for the depreciation of the vehicle over a specific period, plus interest and fees. Unlike a traditional loan, you aren't paying off the entire value of the car.
The Core Components of a Lease
- Gross Capitalized Cost: This is the negotiated price of the vehicle. Always negotiate the price of the car before mentioning you intend to lease.
- Capitalized Cost Reductions: This includes your down payment, trade-in value, and any manufacturer rebates. These reduce the amount you need to finance.
- Residual Value: This is the predicted value of the car at the end of the lease term. It is set by the leasing company. A higher residual value usually results in a lower monthly payment.
- Money Factor: This is the interest rate on a lease. To convert a money factor to a standard APR, multiply it by 2400. For example, a money factor of 0.00125 is equivalent to a 3% APR.
The Lease Math Formula
Your monthly payment is split into two primary parts:
- Depreciation Fee: (Net Cap Cost – Residual Value) / Lease Term
- Finance Fee (Rent Charge): (Net Cap Cost + Residual Value) * Money Factor
Combining these two figures gives you your base monthly payment before taxes and local fees.
Lease Example
If you negotiate a car price to $32,500, put $3,000 down, and the car has a 60% residual on a $35,000 MSRP after 3 years (36 months), your residual value is $21,000. Your depreciation is $32,500 – $3,000 – $21,000 = $8,500. Dividing $8,500 by 36 months gives a depreciation fee of roughly $236/month. With a money factor of 0.00125, your finance fee would be ($29,500 + $21,000) * 0.00125 = $63.13/month. Your total base payment would be $299.13/month.
function calculateLease() {
var msrp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carMSRP').value);
var negPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('negotiatedPrice').value);
var down = parseFloat(document.getElementById('downPayment').value);
var trade = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tradeIn').value);
var term = parseFloat(document.getElementById('leaseTerm').value);
var mf = parseFloat(document.getElementById('moneyFactor').value);
var resPer = parseFloat(document.getElementById('residualValue').value);
if (isNaN(msrp) || isNaN(negPrice) || isNaN(term) || term <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid numeric values.");
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Net Cap Cost
var netCapCost = negPrice – down – trade;
// 2. Calculate Residual Amount
var residualAmount = msrp * (resPer / 100);
// 3. Depreciation Fee
var depreciationTotal = netCapCost – residualAmount;
var monthlyDepreciation = depreciationTotal / term;
// 4. Finance Fee (Rent Charge)
// Formula: (Net Cap Cost + Residual Value) * Money Factor
var monthlyFinance = (netCapCost + residualAmount) * mf;
// 5. Total Monthly Payment
var monthlyPayment = monthlyDepreciation + monthlyFinance;
// 6. Total Cost of Lease
var totalCost = (monthlyPayment * term) + down + trade;
// Update UI
document.getElementById('resMonthly').innerHTML = formatCurrency(monthlyPayment);
document.getElementById('resDepreciation').innerHTML = formatCurrency(monthlyDepreciation) + " /mo";
document.getElementById('resFinance').innerHTML = formatCurrency(monthlyFinance) + " /mo";
document.getElementById('resNetCap').innerHTML = formatCurrency(netCapCost);
document.getElementById('resResidualAmt').innerHTML = formatCurrency(residualAmount);
document.getElementById('resTotalCost').innerHTML = formatCurrency(totalCost);
}
function formatCurrency(num) {
if (num < 0) return "$0.00";
return "$" + num.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
}
// Initialize calculation on load
window.onload = function() {
calculateLease();
};