Exactly. If you have a car that’s worth $10,000 more after five years, then that car can be priced such that it sells for more when you sell it the first time.

Exactly. If you have a car that’s worth $10,000 more after five years, then that car can be priced such that it sells for more when you sell it the first time. How much more? Not the full $10,000; it depends on the discount rate - a 4% (real) rate, competitive with the stock market, suggests about $8000 more. And the reason the car has value 5 years out is that it’s still good for another 5-10 years. that driving value is the ultimate reason people buy cars at all. No, a consumer won’t do that kind of calculus, not directly, but a leasing firm sure will.