Assuming that $999 down, $23,000 at 6%/60mo would have a $425 payment and a total cost of $28,400. Change it to 2.9%/36mo and you get a payment of $639 and a total cost of $25,900.

> its going to be fairly the same as if I were to finance the car

How exactly? $16,000 for the lease, plus a $14,000 residual, plus interest on the car note means you would likely pay $33,000 or so for a car you know to cost $23,000…

I don’t recommend leasing. If you can afford a $1000 fee at the time of sale, you can likely afford to buy a Carolla.

This is paying $16,000 to rent a base-model Corolla for 3 years. Not good.