RM> ... In the long
RM> run, if you just keep getting a new 3 year lease afer the
RM> last expired, it costs you more than buying a car

AA>But.. with leasing, you also get the convenience of just
  >"walking away" from the car and avoid the hassles and proper
  >timing of resale under ownership.

It is less hassle, but there's usually a cost for convenience.

Generally speaking if a car that age and condition would sell
for $16,000, you can often buy out the lease for $12,000 or so
making it a bargain if you buy it out and keep it for a while.

RM> but again, new car every 3 years and selling a car you bought
RM> every 3 years would probably cost you more since they drop
RM> so much in price those first few years..

AA>But.. maybe it's cost effective if you actually take care of
  >the car during those first few years so that you can ask a good
  >resale price?

You usually do well if you take good care of the car and then
buy out the lease and keep it for some time, with a leased car.

With a purchase, one in good shape will definitely bring a better
price but generally speaking a car that is 3 years old has dropped
by probably 40% of what you paid for it.

I just watched my brother sell a car he only had for a little over
a year. He bought it and paid cash for it when some money came in.
In the end, the car he got at a very good price for about $27,000
and kept in perfect condition, he sold for $19,000 last month.

Bad planning/luck overall on his part. He intended to keep it for
a long time but his money situation changed.

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 * SLMR Rob  * Hmm...Nice tagline. <SWIPE!> SUCKER!!! AH, HAHAHAHAHAHA
 * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (618:250/1)