To Lease or purchase?

[writersblock]

What do you think the pros and cons would be of leasing vs purchasing a hybrid car? For someone who has never been in one, but is interested in trying it out, do you suggest leasing?

[faithib]

I would suggest borrowing a friends to see if you like it!
Leasing a car always makes you lose money from what I've read.
I also think that most car companies will let you test drive any of their cars, including the hybrids.

[dobylove]

Originally Posted by writersblock

What do you think the pros and cons would be of leasing vs purchasing a hybrid car? For someone who has never been in one, but is interested in trying it out, do you suggest leasing?

Try borrowing first, see of you like...

[Agent Fred]

A car lease is always a bad idea. Why? Replace the word "lease" with "rent," and ask the question again. Would you *rent* a car for three years? Because that's what you're doing.

[writersblock]

I would never buy a car without test driving it first.

I have many friends who lease and swear by it. I have always bought my cars.

[Agent Fred]

Originally Posted by writersblock

I have many friends who lease and swear by it.

Swear by what? Yes, it's nice to get a new car every three years. But what are they really getting for their money? Nothing. They are paying car payments month after month, and after three years they give the car back, and start paying on a NEW car. When I buy a car, the car is MINE, and the payments eventually stop.

[tom]

Buy used! Thats the only way to go. You don't lose the initial price drop once you take the car of the lot and you get to won something unlike leasing!

[LissaValerian]

Leasing is just taking money straight out of your wallet. Thats like opening up your wallet and saying "here, have at" Crazy. I've leased before, a couple of times, thinking it was a good deal. Never again. Now I buy cars that are just a couple of years old. My current car is a 2004, completely paid for. Don't have to worry about paying on a stupid lease, it's fine. I keep it maintained, blah blah. It's great. Granted, it's a dodge neon, not a hybrid, I'll move into one of those soon enough. But leases are just another way to rob you blind. Believe me, I know, I've been robbed enough times by leases to know.

[writersblock]

Originally Posted by Agent Fred

Swear by what? Yes, it's nice to get a new car every three years. But what are they really getting for their money? Nothing. They are paying car payments month after month, and after three years they give the car back, and start paying on a NEW car. When I buy a car, the car is MINE, and the payments eventually stop.

I usually buy a new car and then end up trading it in before it is paid for. I don't remember the last time I didn't have a car payment. Maybe that is why they keep telling me to lease, because I never keep a vehicle for the length of the loan.

[Agent Fred]

LOL! That might be.

FYI, I don't think you CAN lease a hybrid right now. The demand for purchase is too great--6 month waiting lists, etc. I've never seen a hybrid for lease.