In this section we have covered the six possible scenarios for keeping or selling a used vehicle at the end of four years.  Look at table 1 for a summary of the results.  In three of the scenarios, leasing and purchasing came out basically equal.  In the other three  scenarios the person that leased the vehicle came out ahead.  Notice that there is no scenario where the person who purchased the vehicle came out ahead.  This locking in the value of your vehicle at the end of the lease period is one of the major benefits of leasing.  It is similar to a stop-loss in investing.  If you purchase the vehicle there is no stop loss.  If you originally purchased the vehicle and want to get rid of it at the end of four years, or some similar time period, you are hostage to market forces.  You are potentially facing thousands of dollars in losses if the resale value is less than you expected.