AlCapone
It depends. If you normally like trading for a brand new car every 2-4 years, drive only about 10,000-12,000 miles a years, and take good care of your cars, then leasing should work well for you. You get a car that is always under manufacturer's warranty with all the latest styling, safety, and technology features. You only pay for the car's depreciation, which means monthly payments only about half of loan payments, and you save money on sales tax (in most states). At lease-end you simply return the car and pay for any excessive mileage or unrepaired damage.
Asking a question like this gets you lots of uninformed answers and opinions. It's best to educate yourself about leasing so that you don't have to ask strangers about which is better for YOU. I suggest you take a look at LeaseGuide.com for lots of good advice and information that will allow you to make your own decisions.
USAFisnumber1
BEST is to buy a car coming off a three year lease. That way you avoid the majority of the depreciation, get a car that is still pretty new and has been well maintained. Then you drive it until it falls apart in ten years. Then do this all over again.
mustanger
If you own a company and are able to write it off against the company then a lease is fine otherwise you are basically wasting time and money.You lease a car for three years and agree to turn it back in with no more than average mileage on it and with the car undamaged and in excellent condition. Meet those conditions and you give up the car with nothing to show for the money you spent on lease payments. Fail to meet those requirements and it will cost you a bunch more in penalties. Soiled upholstery, bald tires, parking lot dings and damage all add up to cost you money.
P
In general it's always going to be better to buy a car financially speaking.
I suppose if you are the kind of person who "has to have" a new car every 3 years you might come out ahead if you get a good lease, but you are still going to be paying out a lot more then someone who buys a car every 5 years. When you sell a car after it's paid off it will be worth something. Don't forget at the end of the lease you can up paying for worn tires, brakes, every little ding on it (they always find some), and any miles you are over.
Anonymous
Buy