Buying vs. Leasing a car (plus New vs. Used)

[greenskeeper]

When you go to turn in a lease, most savvy dealers will try to make you pay additional costs to walk away and try to convince you to lease another brand new car effectively restarting the cycle of in-debt-ness

[tripods68]

I don't think the Maxima had the cool factor, though it did have power everything including sunroof and it talked - door is open, lights are on, etc. That was kind of cool.

...was never a fan of Maxima....just the 280z...chicks* dig it

[sv2007]

A side discussion started in another thread about the pros and cons of buying vs. leasing as well as the pros and cons of buying new vs. used. Since the discussion was off topic of the thread, let's move the discussion here.

What are your thoughts? Which do you feel makes the most sense? Is there ever a time when you think buying new makes more sense than used? Is there ever a time when you think leasing is a better choice than buying?

I'll weigh in with my opinion but don't have time right now.

I tend to look at leasing as financing a buy with option to sell back at the end of the term. This means I must negotiate for the best possible deal just like when buying.

As for new vs used; they say your car lose 30% of its value when you drive it off the dealer lot. There you go.

That's not to say that I personally buy used cars. We save moeny so we can enjoy life, and I dont' like used cars so I only buy new cars. But I pay very good prices for them.