What are the total lease costs?
They are likely to include a month's payment up front, a security deposit that’s refundable when the lease ends, a non-refundable down payment, taxes, and registration and other fees.

Am I better off leasing or buying?
Compare the total cost of leasing with the cost of buying—if you were to extend your loan term to reduce monthly payments or purchase a used model instead.

How much will a vehicle cost to insure?
Call your auto insurance agent and ask for premium quotes on the car you want as well as a list of cars that cost the least to insure. Leased cars and purchased cars have similar insurance rates. They’re based on the same series of factors. All the insurer knows or cares about is that you’re driving the car and its risks for covering you financially. So if you’re leasing or buying a red Corvette, your premium will certainly be higher than if you chose a silver Senata.

What are the lease terms?
Once you’ve agreed on the price, ask how many miles are offered on the lease as well as the terms of return and early surrender. Most dealers will slap you with thousands of dollars in penalties and report the deal-breaker to the credit bureaus as a “voluntary repossession,” which can damage your credit score. Given some sense of what the costs associated with early surrender would be ideal.

What are the best lease deals now?
Car manufacturers offer lease specials all the time to move vehicles out of dealerships, especially at the end of new model years. Check local ads to be sure monthly payments listed include sales taxes and fees. Also, see if the lease requires a large down payment, bank fees and a security deposit. To determine what the latest lease deals are in your area, check Edmunds.com.