Purchase versus lease. Maryland General Hospital, a taxpaying entity, is considering a leasing arrangement for its ambulance fleet. The fleet of ambulances costs $375,000 and will be depreciated over...

Purchase versus lease. Maryland General Hospital, a taxpaying entity, is considering a leasing arrangement for its ambulance fleet. The fleet of ambulances costs $375,000 and will be depreciated over a 10-year life to a salvage value of $75,000. Maryland General could finance the entire fleet with equal annual debt and principal payments at a before-tax cost of debt of 9 percent and an after-tax cost of debt at 6 percent for 10 years. The implied lease rate is also 9 percent. Alternatively, it could lease the fleet for 10 years. The before-tax lease payments are $45,000 per year for 10 years. Maryland General’s tax rate is 40 percent. From a financial perspective, should Maryland General lease or borrow the money to buy the ambulances?