Car subscription vs. lease vs. financing.

A lease and a subscription both put you in a new car you don't own, but the experience is very different. A lease usually means money due at signing, a dealer negotiation over the price and money factor, and you handling maintenance, registration and renewals. At the end you go through a turn-in inspection and start over with a new lease.

With GO there's no down payment and nothing to negotiate. The price is listed online. Routine maintenance, the factory warranty, roadside assistance and registration are all included. When your term ends, you can refresh into a brand-new car at no extra cost.

Car subscription vs. financing

Financing ends with you owning the car, but you pay for it upfront and over time. A typical loan starts with a down payment and dealer fees, and today's average loan runs close to six years, which leaves many drivers owing more than their car is worth. You also cover maintenance and repairs once the warranty runs out, and the car's value drops while you own it.

A GO subscription takes the depreciation risk and most of the running costs off your plate. If you decide you want to own the car, in most cases you can buy it at market value.

Which one should you choose?

• Choose financing if you want to own a car outright and plan to keep it well beyond the loan.
• Choose a lease if you're comfortable negotiating and handling upkeep, and you want a specific trim or brand.
• Choose a GO subscription if you want a new car with no down payment, no dealer, the upkeep included and a free refresh every three years.

See exactly what you'd pay on the car subscription cost page.