Buying | St. Peters, MO
A lease and a loan can put the same Lincoln in your driveway. How many miles you drive and how long you keep a vehicle usually decide which one makes sense.
Somebody at the sales desk asks this almost every day. They've picked the Lincoln, they like the color, and now they want to know if they should lease it or buy it. Our answer starts with two questions of our own: how many miles do you put on a car in a year, and how long do you usually keep one?
Neither choice is the smart one for everybody. A lease and a loan are two ways to pay for the same vehicle, and each one rewards a different kind of driver. This post lays out how each one works, where people get surprised, and the questions to bring when you sit down with our Finance Department.
Quick answer: Leasing usually suits drivers who want a new Lincoln every few years, stay within a set yearly mileage, and keep the vehicle in good shape. Financing usually suits drivers who put on a lot of miles, like to customize, or plan to keep the vehicle long after it's paid off. Get pre approved and price both on the same vehicle before you decide.
Lease suits
Steady miles, a new car often
Finance suits
High miles, keeping it long
First step
Get pre approved online
In this post
What Is the Difference Between Leasing and Financing?
With a loan, you're paying off the whole vehicle. Every payment builds equity, and when the last one clears, the Lincoln is yours with nothing owed. You can drive it as far as you like, add a hitch, change the wheels, and sell or trade it whenever you want.
With a lease, you're paying for the part of the vehicle's value you use up during the term, plus a finance charge. You agree to a yearly mileage allowance and a set number of months. At the end you hand it back, buy it, or roll into something new. Because you aren't paying for the whole vehicle, the monthly payment on a lease is often lower than a loan payment on the same Lincoln.
Neither one is free money. A lease trades ownership for a lower payment and a new vehicle more often. A loan trades a higher payment for something you own outright at the end.

Who Is a Good Fit for a Lincoln Lease?
Leasing works well for drivers whose miles are predictable. If your week is a commute from Cottleville to an office in O'Fallon, errands on Mid Rivers Mall Drive and a couple of trips a month into St. Charles, you can probably pick a mileage allowance and stay under it.
It also fits people who like having the newest technology. Lincoln updates its screens, driver assistance and design fairly often, and a lease lets you move to the newer version every few years without dealing with selling the old one.
Business owners sometimes prefer leasing for tax reasons. That depends on how your business is set up, so talk it over with your accountant before you count on it.
St. Peters driver tip
Before you pick a mileage allowance, add up a normal month. A round trip on I-70 to Lake Saint Louis, a weekend on Highway 94 out to Defiance, and one or two drives to Lake of the Ozarks each summer can add up faster than people expect. Pick the allowance from your real driving, then add a cushion.
When Does Financing a Lincoln Make More Sense?
Financing is usually the better match if you drive a lot. Sales reps out of St. Peters who cover the whole region, or families who drive to see relatives in Warrenton and Washington every weekend, can blow through a mileage allowance and pay for it at turn in.
It's also the way to go if you keep vehicles for a long time. Once the loan is paid off, the payment goes away while the Lincoln keeps running. Owners who customize, tow or haul a lot of gear tend to be happier owning, since a lease expects the vehicle back close to how it left.
Ownership also matters for the store's own coverage. Warranty Forever covers listed powertrain parts on qualifying vehicles for as long as you own the vehicle, and it isn't transferable. If that coverage is a big part of why you're buying here, ask our team how it applies to the specific vehicle and deal you're looking at.
Get Pre ApprovedMeet Our Finance Department
What Lease Terms Catch People Off Guard?
Most lease regrets come from the fine print, not the payment. These are the ones worth reading twice:
Excess mileage charges
Go over the allowance and you pay a set charge for each extra mile at turn in. It adds up fast on a long term.
Wear and use
Curb rash on the wheels, a cracked windshield or stained seats can show up as charges at the end. Ask what counts as normal wear.
Ending early
Getting out of a lease before the term ends usually costs money. If your life might change soon, factor that in.
Fees at signing and turn in
Ask for every fee in writing, including anything due at the start and anything charged when you return the vehicle.
Most lease regrets come from the fine print, not the payment.
How Should You Compare a Lease and a Loan on the Same Lincoln?
The cleanest way to decide is to price both on the exact vehicle you want, side by side, before you sign anything.
Get pre approved
The online application lets our Finance Department review the programs available to you before you visit.
Know your trade
If you have a vehicle to trade, start with the online estimate. Its value can go toward either a lease or a loan.
Ask for both quotes
Same vehicle, same down payment. Look at the monthly payment, the total due at signing, and the term.
Run your numbers forward
Think about where you'll be when the term ends. Ask what you'd owe, what you'd own, and what your options are at that point.
The finance page lists rates through Lincoln Automotive Financial Services, quick approvals, and programs for a range of credit situations. Rates change, so the number you see today is the one to plan around, not one from last month.

Warranty Forever on qualifying vehicles
Qualifying new and pre owned vehicles bought here come with Warranty Forever, which covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the vehicle, with no deductible on covered repairs.
Read the Warranty Forever DetailsQuestions Buyers Ask About Leasing
Can I buy my Lincoln at the end of a lease?
Most leases include an option to buy the vehicle at the end. The purchase price is set in the lease agreement, so read that section before you sign.
What happens if I go over my lease miles?
You pay a per mile charge for every mile over the allowance when you turn the vehicle in. Picking a realistic allowance up front is the easiest way to avoid it.
Can I trade in a leased vehicle early?
Sometimes, depending on what you owe compared to what it's worth. Bring the lease details and we can look at it with you.
Questions Buyers Ask About Financing
Where does Lincoln financing come from?
Our finance page lists rates through Lincoln Automotive Financial Services. The Finance Department can also explain other programs available to you.
Can I finance a Lincoln with less than perfect credit?
The finance page says there are programs for customers who have missed payments in the past or are rebuilding credit. The Finance Department builds the loan package after you apply.
Can I pay off my Lincoln loan early?
Ask about prepayment terms before you sign. The details depend on the lender and the contract.
Questions Buyers Ask About Pre Approval
How do I get pre approved at Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Peters?
Fill out the secure online application and the team will review the programs available. You can also call 636-441-4400.
Does pre approval affect my credit?
The online page doesn't spell out the type of credit inquiry. Call the Finance Department at 636-441-4400 before you apply if that matters to you.
Do I need pre approval before a test drive?
No. You can drive first and apply later. Getting pre approved first just makes the paperwork go faster once you've decided.
Questions Buyers Ask About Trading In
Can my trade in cover the down payment?
Trade in value can be applied toward a lease or a loan. Start with the online estimate, and the final value is confirmed during a quick appraisal.
Do you take trade ins that aren't Lincolns?
Yes. Bring in any make. Your trade doesn't have to be a Lincoln.
What affects my trade in value?
Mileage, condition, trim level, features and market demand all play a part, along with tires and maintenance history.
Questions Buyers Ask About Protection Products
What protection products does the Finance Department offer?
The finance page mentions vehicle protection services and extended warranty programs. Ask for the terms of each in writing before you add one.
Is Warranty Forever the same as an extended warranty?
No. Warranty Forever is the store's own powertrain coverage on qualifying vehicles, with its own terms. Read the Warranty Forever page and compare it to anything else you're offered.
Does Warranty Forever cover towing or a rental car?
No. Towing and rental aren't covered under Warranty Forever, and the coverage isn't transferable.