You’re here because you’re seriously weighing the options:
Should I lease a car, buy one, or try a subscription?
This isn’t a casual thought — you’re about to make one of the biggest financial decisions after buying a house. The wrong choice can quietly drain thousands of euros from your bank account over the next few years.
The problem is, most people compare only the headline monthly price. They ignore hidden costs like depreciation, extra mileage fees, resale value, or sudden repair bills — and that’s exactly where mistakes get expensive.
That’s why before reading further, you should run your own details through our Car Cost Comparison Tool — it instantly calculates your true monthly cost for leasing, buying, or subscribing, factoring in everything from depreciation to maintenance, fuel, insurance, and financing interest.
👇 Try the Car Cost Comparison Tool Now (Takes less than 2 minutes)
🚗 Car Cost Comparison Tool
Compare leasing, buying, or subscribing to a car in the Netherlands
🏷️ Car Details
🛣️ Running Costs
🏦 Buying a Car with Financing
📊 Lease Options
📱 Subscription Options
📈 Cost Comparison Results
💼 Leasing
🏠 Buying
📱 Subscription
Based on 0% annual depreciation for new car over 4 years
Why Monthly Price Is a Trap
It’s tempting to just compare what’s printed in the advert:
- “Lease from €399/month!”
- “Subscription €599/month — all-in!”
- “Used car from €15,000!”
But these numbers rarely tell the real story. Here’s why:
- That €399/month lease can end up at €500 after extra mileage and optional features.
- A €25,000 used car can cost more than leasing in the first years if repairs pile up or if you take a high-interest loan.
- A €599 subscription can shoot past €900 if you exceed the “included” kilometres.
And that’s before we talk about the invisible budget killer: depreciation.
Depreciation: The Hidden Expense That Dwarfs Fuel Costs
Depreciation is the amount your car’s value drops over time — and for new cars, it’s often bigger than fuel, insurance, and interest combined.
Example: Buy a €30,000 new car today, sell it after four years for €16,000 — that’s €14,000 gone, or over €290/month in value lost. You never see that number in your monthly payment, but you pay it the moment you sell or trade in.
Even small differences in resale value matter:
- If your €25,000 car sells for €13,000 after 4 years instead of €10,000, buying suddenly beats leasing by €50–€70/month.
- But if it drops to €8,000, leasing can pull ahead.
The Car Cost Comparison Tool automatically applies realistic depreciation rates for your car type and age, so you can see the effect instantly without guessing.
Real-Life Pros & Cons (With Scenarios)
Buying
✅ Unlimited mileage — perfect if you commute far or take frequent road trips.
✅ Ownership — customise it, store baby seats, sports gear, or groceries without worrying about returning it “clean.”
✅ Second-hand can be unbeatable value — especially reliable models that have already absorbed the steepest depreciation.
⚠ High upfront cash or a loan — and loans mean interest.
⚠ You pay for all maintenance and repairs.
Example scenario: Sophie, a mum of two, bought a 5-year-old Volkswagen Golf for €12,000. She keeps it in good condition, and even with €100/month for maintenance, she spends far less over 5 years than she would leasing.
Leasing
✅ Predictable monthly cost — usually includes maintenance and sometimes insurance.
✅ New car every few years — safer, cleaner, better tech.
✅ Peace of mind — if something goes wrong, it’s covered.
⚠ Mileage limits — exceed them and the per-kilometre fees can sting.
⚠ No ownership — you return it at the end, with nothing to sell.
Example scenario: Mark drives 15,000 km/year for work and values reliability over ownership. A 4-year lease costs him less than buying new because he avoids big repair bills and resale hassle.
Subscribing
✅ Maximum flexibility — swap cars or cancel monthly.
✅ Great for temporary needs — relocating, seasonal work, or a trial period before buying.
✅ Usually includes everything — insurance, tax, maintenance.
⚠ Most expensive long-term option.
⚠ Watch for per-km/hour surcharges.
Example scenario: Emma moves abroad for a year and uses a subscription for 6 months. Even though the monthly rate is higher, she avoids the upfront cost and resale hassle of buying, and the early termination fees of leasing.
Key Insights from the Calculator
- Used Cars Almost Always Win
A well-maintained, reliable second-hand car will nearly always beat leasing or subscribing over a 5-year horizon. Try plugging in a cheaper used car into the tool and setting maintenance to €100+/month — you’ll see how the math changes. - Leasing Wins for Frequent Swappers
If you change cars every 2–3 years, leasing often beats buying due to depreciation and resale risk. - Subscriptions Shine in the Short Term
For a few months, subscriptions are cost-effective compared to buying or breaking a lease — but keep one for over a year and the costs add up fast. - Mileage Changes Everything
Drive more than the lease limit, and “cheap” can become “ouch” quickly. Buy and you risk higher depreciation and maintenance instead — the tool shows both.
Other Factors People Forget
- Fuel Efficiency: A car using 7L/100km vs 5L/100km can cost €2,000+ more in 4 years.
- Family Life: Parents often prefer ownership because a car doubles as storage.
- Financing Interest: A 6% loan over 5 years adds thousands — often tipping the scales towards leasing.
- Resale Risk: Trends change — today’s “hot” model may not hold value.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating mileage: Most people are overly optimistic.
- Ignoring resale value: Buying is a gamble without knowing depreciation.
- Forgetting maintenance: Year 5+ repairs can erase savings.
- Over-prioritising “new car smell”: Swapping too often is costly.
Final Word: Let the Numbers Decide
There’s no single right answer — there’s a right answer for you.
Your driving habits, car choice, and time horizon determine whether leasing, buying, or subscribing makes the most financial sense.
The Car Cost Comparison Tool removes the guesswork — plug in your mileage, car value, fuel use, and maintenance, and see exactly which option is cheapest for your situation.
👉 Run the Car Cost Calculator Above — A few minutes could save you thousands.
