Since you’re facing financial hardship, buying a used car for the amount of money you have means the vehicle is paid off. You won’t have to worry about a monthly lease payment. If you’re struggling now, you don’t want to add an additional expense.
In addition, leasing a car will also require you to carry full coverage car insurance, which can cost hundreds or even thousands more annually than the liability insurance you could get with a used car.
Resources like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds can help you determine a fair price for a used car and provide guidance on what to look for. Or if you want to review vehicles, Car and Driver, CarGurus, and DealerRater are all trusted, reputable sources.