Just wondering because of the amount of leasing that goes on...me included...as I originally leased mine but now am buying it.

You don't actually get anything done when you lease. You just screw around and then end up with nothing and have to start over again.

I'm personally a "buy" person, as I tend to modify vehicles and want to hold onto them. However, if you're not going to mod your ride and/or don't know how you'll like it in 3 years, leasing may be good. I know nowadays you can get leases with the option to buy in the end and not lose any money. So then what is there to lose by leasing?

Originally posted by mmsdrummer
You don't actually get anything done when you lease. You just screw around and then end up with nothing and have to start over again.

Well put. I think its best to just go out and buy something, unless your changing cars very frequently

I dont think there is any thing wrong with leasing.
when you lease they tell you how much your vehicle will be worth at the end of the lease term, then adjust your monthly payments accordingly. If its worth more than what your buyout is you can sell it yourself or have the dealer sell it or buy it. if its worth less than you can give it back or buy it and deall with the loss. Either way having a vehicle is not an ivestment its an expense, and no matter if you buy it or lease it it will depreciate the same. You will always lose money on a brand new vehicle. One thing thats nice about leasing is you can trash the hell out of it and give it back so if you dont like the way it wheels or you know of some serious river crossings you can walk away and get a new one or you can keep it and make the mods to it that you feel are appropriate.
just my 2cents

Depends on a few things. First how many miles do you drive. If you drive 20K a year then you are going to have to buy or pay huge fees. Also it depends on the residual the company gives you and the real worth of the vehicle at the end. Also depends on the incentives(ie if they pay your first month, how much you have to put down etc) It's all pretty basic finance, like time value of money, so if you have some idea about finance you can decide which is better for you.

Originally posted by jobunn
Just wondering because of the amount of leasing that goes on...me included...as I originally leased mine but now am buying it.



So you buy a $30,000 explorer, finance it for 5 years. That's approx a $600/mo payment. At three years you have paid $21,600 in payments, the vehicle will be worth about $14,000 and you'll still owe about $17k
Sounds good, huh?
Some cars make better "leasers" than others. Cars that retain value (i.e.: non-american) have higher residual values, so the monthly payments are lower.
J Paul Getty once said: If it decreases in value (like cars) lease or rent it, if it increases in value (like houses) buy it.

All numbers weere off the top of the head estimates, I used to sell cars. I could go on for days. Oh yeah...You have a hard time modding a leased vehicle...
Everybody above makes good points also.
BTW...I bought my Explorer and leased my wife's Jetta GLX


In the words of the semi-famous Aldive:

good luck....

I couldn't vote in the poll, because it is closed, but I can still post an opinion. Me personally, I would never lease a vehicle. I mean, you have to throw down a decent chunk of money when you sign the lease, make payments of sometimes as high as $600/month for 36 months or so. Then you have to return it to the dealer, and have nothing to show for all the money you laid out. Just doesn't make sense to do that unless you own a business, and are leasing it for your business. Buy is the way to go for me. Like I could afford to lease a brand new vehicle anyhow.