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Leasing versus buying a forklift presents distinct financial and operational trade-offs, with leasing providing $300-$1,200 monthly payments for 12-48 month terms, eliminating $5,000-$15,000 down payments typical in purchases. Leasing accesses cutting-edge 5,000-pound electrics with lithium batteries and telematics, maintained by lessors at $1,500/year, while buyers face $2,000-$4,000 annual upkeep on owned 10,000-pound diesels. Flexibility shines in leasing, allowing upgrades every 3 years to meet 20% volume growth, versus buying’s 10-15 year lifespan requiring $5,000 mid-life overhauls. Tax benefits favor buying, with Section 179 deductions offsetting 20% of $40,000 costs and depreciation spreading $8,000 yearly over 5 years, while leases offer $3,600 annual deductions but tie to $12,000 total outlay. Resale value boosts buying—50% after 5 years for Toyota units versus leasing’s 0% return—offset by leasing’s 5-10% bulk discounts on fleets. Operational control rests with owners, avoiding 100-mile/month caps and $0.50 overages, though leasing mitigates $1,000 repair risks. TCO analysis shows leasing at $15,000-$40,000 over 5 years versus buying’s $30,000-$70,000, aligning with $500K businesses targeting 18-month ROI.