Leasing ALWAYS makes sense...

[turbobloke]

Dr Jekyll said:

M-SportMatt said:

I see a lot of people on here saying leasing doesnt work for them because they can run an old snotter for the same xxx months as the lease for a cheaper cost.

That's not saying you don't like leasing, thats saying you wouldn't run a new car as you dont want to suffer depreciation.

Leasing is only comparable with owning if you are comparing the exact same car on a lease vs own basis.

Most of the reasons I see on this thread have either forgotton depreciation exists or are complaining they couldn't 'waste' the money on a new car. Neither are reasons for not leasing, these are reasons for not buying new.

Given that leasing is generally only available for new cars, arguments against buying new are also arguments as to why leasing doesn't always make sense.

Exactly. As mentioned previously, leasing cannot possibly always make sense - you may want a very low mileage 355 in pretty much the same condition as when it had delivery miles. Where are the lease deals on one of those? Presumably you'd be expected to make do with an i8 or whatever (no thanks good as they may be). Is some form of inverse snobbery meant to make us want something like an i8 more (no thanks)?

In addition, would anyone consider leasing four of five cars? Is there an assumption of a single car in the OP?

As manufacturers invest £millions getting the very best compromise between factors such as handling and ride, power and economy, size and space v weight etc to satisfy the average punter...it's very likely that a PH buyer won't appreciate all of the compromises as they're not an average punter.

A significant proportion of them/us will want to make a car more suited to their tastes - anything from a darker tint on the rear windows to a wrap, or lowering the car on larger wheels with revised suspension to get sportier handling while knowing that a commensurate loss in ride quality would be an acceptable trade-off. How do you go about modifying a car that belongs to somebody else?

Presumably you're not suppposed to, or if you do, surely you'd have to return it to the original spec for every inspection, service, repair and on return. Then refit the mods each time. That's nuts, so no thanks. I'll do what I want to any one of the family fleet, and they're all nice and shiny even in the winter including the daily driver.

Leasing doesn't always make sense because different people have different priorities.

[anonymous-user]

iphonedyou said:

Careful, yonex. Dangerously close to the old 'wealth whispers' trope, there.

I'd rather that, as much as a case for making me a cad as it does, than try and promote my car worthiness by stating I have a bloody Golf or Audi diesel

[V8RX7]

Leicesterdave said:

An Audi Allroad can be had for £250ish pounds a month (£300ish if you count initial payment) for 2 years- isn't any other similar car going to cost the same or more to buy?

I've run my Subaru Forester 270bhp on LPG for the last 3 years.

I suspect it's both faster and more economical than a comparable Allroad and will carry the same 5 passengers and a dog.

I bought it for circa £4k I've spent £1k (because I wanted to remap etc I didn't have to spend anything) and it's now worth around £4k

So in 3 years my car which I've enjoyed modifying has cost me £333 per year (plus road tax and LPG at effectively 40mpg)

You have spent 10x more to drive a slower car, that you can't modify.

How exactly does that make sense ?

[vikingaero]

I understand why people lease. People want a hassle free, reliable car to get from A to B. They are not mechanics let alone enthusiasts so they need/want a car that they can rely on. Look at the NHS leasing scheme. Would you rather the carer who looks after your elderly mum turns up on time every day or would you accept the 3rd excuse that week that their car broke down again because it's a 15 year old snotter?

Of course there is the argument that people lease to be flash, and the leasing market supports what people want, which are lots of sporty looking cars - big alloys, M-Tech Styling, S-Line, AMG-Line etc.

I lease a 520d Lux for work because I get a company car as a perk. There are no options to take cash. I have to have one whether I only drive 1 mile for work or 100,000 miles. As I only live 10 miles from work I have my parents nominated and they use it exclusively. They get free car that they would never otherwise afford with free fuel.

Leasing suits people with vanilla lifestyles. That's not being derogatory, but if you do a 9-5, in a standard secure job, standard commute, Tesco on a Friday night (& Dogging at the weekend )

[mikearwas]

V8RX7 said:

Leicesterdave said:

An Audi Allroad can be had for £250ish pounds a month (£300ish if you count initial payment) for 2 years- isn't any other similar car going to cost the same or more to buy?

I've run my Subaru Forester 270bhp on LPG for the last 3 years.

I suspect it's both faster and more economical than a comparable Allroad and will carry the same 5 passengers and a dog.

I bought it for circa £4k I've spent £1k (because I wanted to remap etc I didn't have to spend anything) and it's now worth around £4k

So in 3 years my car which I've enjoyed modifying has cost me £333 per year (plus road tax and LPG at effectively 40mpg)

You have spent 10x more to drive a slower car, that you can't modify.

How exactly does that make sense ?

Well for starters you haven't included road tax when you should as it's included with a lease deal. Also can you honestly not see why someone would choose a new Audi over an old Subaru with an interior that lets be honest is pretty horrendous. You're also forgetting the element of risk. If the engine goes in your Subaru then you're seriously out of pocket and it might be uneconomical to repair and you write off 4K. If a new Audi engines goes then it gets fixed, for free. As already identified it comes down to people's preferences. There is no right answer, only a right answer for you.

Edit: you also seem to think that everyone wants to modify their car - they don't. Additionally and another separate point is that some people have jobs where it's just not appropriate to turn up in a warbling rally inspired car no matter how fast or good it is to drive.

Edited by mikearwas on Friday 20th January 18:08

[V8RX7]

mikearwas said:

V8RX7 said:

Leicesterdave said:

An Audi Allroad can be had for £250ish pounds a month (£300ish if you count initial payment) for 2 years- isn't any other similar car going to cost the same or more to buy?

I've run my Subaru Forester 270bhp on LPG for the last 3 years.

I suspect it's both faster and more economical than a comparable Allroad and will carry the same 5 passengers and a dog.

I bought it for circa £4k I've spent £1k (because I wanted to remap etc I didn't have to spend anything) and it's now worth around £4k

So in 3 years my car which I've enjoyed modifying has cost me £333 per year (plus road tax and LPG at effectively 40mpg)

You have spent 10x more to drive a slower car, that you can't modify.

How exactly does that make sense ?

Well for starters you haven't included road tax when you should as it's included with a lease deal. Also can you honestly not see why someone would choose a new Audi over an old Subaru with an interior that lets be honest is pretty horrendous. You're also forgetting the element of risk. If the engine goes in your Subaru then you're seriously out of pocket and it might be uneconomical to repair and you write off 4K. If a new Audi engines goes then it gets fixed, for free. As already identified it comes down to people's preferences. There is no right answer, only a right answer for you.

Edit: you also seem to think that everyone wants to modify their car - they don't. Additionally and another separate point is that some people have jobs where it's just not appropriate to turn up in a warbling rally inspired car no matter how fast or good it is to drive.

See where is says "plus road tax" ?

No personally I can't see why anyone who would be on a car enthusiasts site, would choose an heavy Audi over a faster Subaru.

I sit on a heated leather seat it really is a very long way from horrendous.

But it hasn't gone, in 25+ years of motoring I have NEVER had a significant bill nor any significant part fail.

However should an engine fail I'd stick another one in - it would cost around £1k - so I'd still be significantly up on the deal - EVEN in the year it failed !

I suggest the vast majority of enthusiasts do want to modify their car - I always have.

Yes some muppets get told what to do - some of us think for ourselves, buy our own cars, save money whilst enjoying better cars and are self employed.

Try thinking for yourself - you might like it.

[Dr Jekyll]

vikingaero said:

I understand why people lease. People want a hassle free, reliable car to get from A to B. They are not mechanics let alone enthusiasts so they need/want a car that they can rely on. Look at the NHS leasing scheme. Would you rather the carer who looks after your elderly mum turns up on time every day or would you accept the 3rd excuse that week that their car broke down again because it's a 15 year old snotter?

There are a wide range of options between a brand new car and a 15 year old car that breaks down 3 times a week. Such as 15 year old reliable cars, or new cars that break down if you insist.

[talksthetorque]

I have to have a car that is less than 5 years old for work. I get paid money for this so put your world's smallest violins away.

The alternative to a lease car for me is buying a car new with the warranty, or two-three years old with a warranty that will run out.

If I get a decent deal - which I have been able to do so far - I can get a better car than buying outright or PCPing ( or I might break even over five years if I don't have to replace something other than brake pads, tyres oil and filters)

So I get two warrantied maintained cars, for the same price and no risk.
If I bought I would have to sell, and as I travel for work a lot that would mean overlapping cars to insure and a 5 year old 100k+ car to sell to our beloved private buyer community.
Bear in mind that due to the mileage would probably be one of the lowest priced newest cars of its ilk and "the type" that would attract.

Now if I didn't have to have a car less than five years old with four doors etc etc then I would be in a different position.
and if I didn't need to do over 20k a year then I'd be in something thirsty, german and 8 to 10 years old.

[mikearwas]

V8RX7 said:

mikearwas said:

V8RX7 said:

Leicesterdave said:

An Audi Allroad can be had for £250ish pounds a month (£300ish if you count initial payment) for 2 years- isn't any other similar car going to cost the same or more to buy?

I've run my Subaru Forester 270bhp on LPG for the last 3 years.

I suspect it's both faster and more economical than a comparable Allroad and will carry the same 5 passengers and a dog.

I bought it for circa £4k I've spent £1k (because I wanted to remap etc I didn't have to spend anything) and it's now worth around £4k

So in 3 years my car which I've enjoyed modifying has cost me £333 per year (plus road tax and LPG at effectively 40mpg)

You have spent 10x more to drive a slower car, that you can't modify.

How exactly does that make sense ?

Well for starters you haven't included road tax when you should as it's included with a lease deal. Also can you honestly not see why someone would choose a new Audi over an old Subaru with an interior that lets be honest is pretty horrendous. You're also forgetting the element of risk. If the engine goes in your Subaru then you're seriously out of pocket and it might be uneconomical to repair and you write off 4K. If a new Audi engines goes then it gets fixed, for free. As already identified it comes down to people's preferences. There is no right answer, only a right answer for you.

Edit: you also seem to think that everyone wants to modify their car - they don't. Additionally and another separate point is that some people have jobs where it's just not appropriate to turn up in a warbling rally inspired car no matter how fast or good it is to drive.

See where is says "plus road tax" ?

No personally I can't see why anyone who would be on a car enthusiasts site, would choose an heavy Audi over a faster Subaru.

I sit on a heated leather seat it really is a very long way from horrendous.

But it hasn't gone, in 25+ years of motoring I have NEVER had a significant bill nor any significant part fail.

However should an engine fail I'd stick another one in - it would cost around £1k - so I'd still be significantly up on the deal - EVEN in the year it failed !

I suggest the vast majority of enthusiasts do want to modify their car - I always have.

Yes some muppets get told what to do - some of us think for ourselves, buy our own cars, save money whilst enjoying better cars and are self employed.

Try thinking for yourself - you might like it.

The response of a tool who is only capable of seeing things through his own eyes.

[anonymous-user]

bqf said:

I have a 13 year old audi allroad. Does this say to people 'I'm struggling'??

Blimey. i'd best get down the audi dealer quick and sign up to spunk £10,000 on a car i will never own

13 years getting less successful each one surely ?

[turbobloke]

mikearwas said:

Well for starters you haven't included road tax when you should as it's included with a lease deal

I appreciate that you were replying to a post and therefore made a specific point, but in general it illustrates another way in which leasing doesn't always nake sense - if cost is being portrayed as some sort of priority. It will be for some people but not all, including a number of PHers.

The cost of road tax hasn't figured for a long time, nor fuel consumption, servicing or maintenance. The main criterion is total pleasure of acquisition, ownership and driving, an approach which will be shared by others on PH. For some PHers, car tax and mpg will be important, but not always.

mikearwas said:

...also seem to think that everyone wants to modify their car - they don't...

Was there a claim somewhere that "everyone" wants to modify their car? Plenty do, and that will include a number of PHers, but not everyone. If it matters then leasing doesn't make sense.

mikearwas said:

Additionally and another separate point is that some people have jobs where it's just not appropriate to turn up in a warbling rally inspired car no matter how fast or good it is to drive.

This assumes only one car - not a valid assumption at all. Plenty of people have more than one car and that will include a fair number of PHers.

Clearly leasing doesn't always make sense.

[nickfrog]

vikingaero said:

Leasing suits people with vanilla lifestyles. That's not being derogatory, but if you do a 9-5, in a standard secure job, standard commute, Tesco on a Friday night (& Dogging at the weekend )

Ah ah. That made me laugh.

The other thing is that leasing might make sense for one of a household's car, but not the other. I'd like to think I am an car/driving enthusiast. And because I can't track or modify a lease car, I own my car (and also because that particular car is cheaper to own!). But conversely, I lease the Tiguan as it's cheaper than owning it.

Basically, saying that leasing always makes sense is as absurd as saying leasing never makes sense. As often on PH it's the polarised opinions that are misguided.

[rambo19]

Leasing does not work for me.
Drive to work, 5 miles each way.
Park car in work car park.
I cannot justify £300+ per month on leasing.

[nickfrog]

For that mileage I would pay £120 / month including deposit.

[DoctorJ]

Leasing worked for me........

I work away a lot (6 months of the year) I wanted a car for my OH that i didnt have to think/worry about whilst i was away.

OH choose a Nissan Qashqai

I paid £2000 down with £215 a month (prices are approx/rounded up ) thats over 3 years 8000 miles pa = £9740 (i also got a £500 gift card but as that wasnt the norm i wont included it in my calculations)

To buy that car in that spec from the dealer = £27660

A 3 year old Qashqai in that spec with around 24000 miles currently for sale on autotrader range between £15000-£17000 a loss of £10000 plus

New price minus what the car will cost me over 3 years = £9740

I didn't opt for servicing so yes each year i will have to do a minor service (Wont have done enough miles/old enough to warrant a major one, as per manufacturers recommendations) and i will have to pay for tyres but weather i leased or not that would be the case so dont need to include


Do i want to modify the qashqai - erm no, im restoring a R5 GTT and VW T25 taking up enough of my time. (plus modify/tinker a qashqai????!!!)

Was this the cheapest option - No, My OH didnt have to have a new car, nor even a qashqai and in this spec,



So for me and the deal i got it was the best option. both financially and practicability wise

[PenelopaPitstop]

vikingaero said:

Leasing suits people with vanilla lifestyles. That's not being derogatory, but if you do a 9-5, in a standard secure job, standard commute, Tesco on a Friday night (& Dogging at the weekend )

I have none of that and I still lease. Have one car on very good leasing deal and one owned outright. I regret buying the second one because now I'm stuck with it for a couple of years and have to visit dealer to fix number of annoying issues before warranty runs out. Leasing is much easier, you don't care about the car and can live with certain issues. I can't live with issues if I know I will have them for another couple of years if I don't fix them now. So I will camp at dealer shop until they fix every possible rattle in the car, which means wasted time.

Got really good package for service on my lease car so not worried about it at all. Also hope to get away without changing tyres, etc.

[Steve93]

I think a lot of people are missing the point

Leasing works for some and buying outright works for others, it's not really rocket science

Personally leasing doesn't work for me as it'd leave me worse off and with a car I couldn't do anything with, I can see how it would work for some though.

[Fox-]

It's amazing there is even a debate.

Which option is best?

Well, look at the car you want. Look at how much it costs to:

a) Buy it and sell/trade it when finished
b) Lease it

Pick the best value option. The end?

All of this comparing the cost of a lease against running a £500 Mondeo seems bizarre. I would imagine there is no overlap on a Venn diagram between people content with a £500 Mondeo and people who are costing up sub 3 year old cars.

[anonymous-user]

swerni said:

Please don't be rational.
It never works on leasing threads

Exactly

How else would the small minded get their fix of self affirmation if they weren't able to access a PH car finance thread once every week or so.

Be grateful and consider it a form of therapy for certain people !

[nickfrog]

DoctorJ said:

To buy that car in that spec from the dealer = £27660

That's list price though, isn't it ?