• Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of buying a car.car image by Muhammad Umair Tahir from Fotolia.com
  
  The idea of buying and owning a car can be exciting for new drivers. But before rushing in, consider not just the pros of buying a car, but also the cons of buying one. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of buying a car, you might decide to lease a car, which might help you save money.
  
  

Higher Costs

• The biggest con of buying a car is that you will pay more for it every month if you have to finance the purchase, compared with leasing a car. If you're in a bad financial situation, leasing a car might be a better idea, because you will pay only for the depreciation charge of the car. Additionally, car dealers usually require a down payment, and this initial out-of-the-pocket cost usually is higher when buying a car than when leasing one.
  
  

Value of Car Decreases

• When you buy a car, you're basically putting money into a savings account that is declining in value; you won't make back the money you put in. A part of every payment you make is lost to finance charges and depreciation, including high mileage and excessive wear.
  
  

Permanence

• A person who leases a car has the option of trying out many different cars every few months or every year. But if you purchase a car, you may be too invested in it to change cars any time soon. And when you do pay off the loan, you must find someone to buy the car.