$0 Down vs. Putting Money Down
- Keep your cash in the bank
- Higher monthly payment
- More total interest over lease
- Less risk if car is totaled early
- Lower monthly payment
- Less total interest
- Money at risk if car totaled
- More equity if you buy at end (but you can't)
What You Actually Pay at Signing
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| First month's payment | $624 |
| Acquisition fee | $695 |
| Taxes on down payment (if any) | $0 (with $0 down) |
| Documentation fee | $80–$250 |
| Registration & title | $200–$400 |
| Total due at signing | $1,600–$2,000+ |
Zero Down Monthly Payments by Model
| Model | With $4,500 Down | $0 Down | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 RWD | $564 | $624 | +$60 |
| Model Y RWD | $624 | $689 | +$65 |
| Model S Dual Motor | $1,757 | $1,857 | +$100 |
| Model X Dual Motor | $1,857 | $1,957 | +$100 |
The Big Risk: Totaled Car Early
Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe and what the car is worth. But your down payment is gone.
- You might not keep the car the full term
- You drive a lot (higher risk of accidents)
- You prefer to keep cash liquid
- You can invest the money for better returns
- You plan to keep the car the full term
- You want the lowest monthly payment
- You have extra cash sitting idle
- You're close to credit tier thresholds (lower payment helps DTI)
Zero Down Calculator
Zero Down on Used Lease Takeovers
Many lease takeovers require $0 down — you just take over the remaining payments. This is often the cheapest way to get into a Tesla with minimal upfront cash.
| Example Takeover | Details |
|---|---|
| 2024 Model 3 | 18 months left, $389/month, $0 down, $1,500 incentive |
| 2024 Model Y | 24 months left, $479/month, $0 down, $1,000 incentive |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tesla offers $0 down leases. You still pay first month, fees, and taxes at signing — typically $2,000-$3,000.
It depends. $0 down means higher payments but your cash isn't at risk if the car is totaled early. Putting money down lowers monthly payments.
First month's payment + acquisition fee ($695) + taxes/fees. For Model 3: about $1,600-$2,000.
About $624/month all-in vs $564 with $4,500 down.
Yes. Demo vehicle leases have the same down payment options as new.
Gap insurance covers the difference. You lose nothing except your monthly payments made so far.
Sources: Tesla lease offers, community-reported deals, lease calculators. Current as of April 2026.