This article does a great job of explaining. https://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/should-you-make-a-down-payment-when-you-lease.html https://www.edmunds.com/car

This article does a great job of explaining. https://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/should-you-make-a-down-payment-when-you-lease.html https://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/should-you-make-a-down-p... In summary, when leasing, put as little down as possible. When buying(loan) it depends. Obviously every person has a different financial situation, ( which also determines at which interest rate you are allowed to borrow money), but in general or ceteris paribus , that advice holds in general.