To make along story short---I will never lease again unless it is short term. Last year I traded my S2000 in for an Infiniti QX4. I had pure intentions on keeping it and then buying a Z. But, I just got an early term quote and Nissan/Infinity wants some serious doe to get out an d get into a Z roadster. I was under the impression that if you purchased another Nissan, you would get ****ed, guess I was wrong. So unless I can get a miracle, looks like I will be in my Infiniti for a while. I figure I will just pay it off and then buy a 2008 roadster. There probaly won't be any changes for at least three years and it will probably be better in design. Nissan has done very well w/ slight design changes.

 

It's not that leases suck. With a lease you pay the same monthly amount for the term of the lease. The vehicle however does not depreciate that way. Your depreciation the first year is ~17%, or 1.4% per month. The fourth year your depreciation is ~ 9.8% or 0.80% per month. Initially you are paying for less vehicle than you are are using up. To terminate early they want you to make up the difference. If a company just lets people out of their lease early without making up the difference they won't stay in business very long. Later in the lease, they may let you out of the lease because they don't take a big hit, and they make money selling you a new car.
rich
'03 FX 45 w/tech, Black/Brick
'96 911 C4 Cab
'04 350 ZR SS/BO, 18's & NAV on the way (22 more days)

 

Leases do suck for me anyway, I did it once and never will again. I hate the feeling that you have to watch the mileage, feeling that you can't or shouldn't mod because it is their car and the situation that happened here, you are tied for the term of the lease.

Leases are just great tools manufacturers/financial institutions came up with to sell more expensive cars.

 

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but you know, leases are good for you in a few specific cases: you are shopping payment, you do not intend to keep a car for more than 2-4 years, you can manage within the mileage restrictions, and perhaps if you use it in or for business. You really have to understand what you are doing with leasing and go into it with your eyes wide open. If even one of the variables I mentioned above isn't you, then leasing may not be the best thing. Good luck.