Leasing a vehicle?

Be aware that you normally pay several thousand dollars "up front" and another several thousand when you return it, plus the trend has been towards "low mileage" and "ultra low mileage" leases where you pay a per mile charge (which adds up quick) for any mileage over the specified amount. (I'm not sure what qualifies as "low" or "ultra low").

That just doesn't make sense to me.

I tend to buy newer cars that are between 2 and 3 years old (but still under factory warranty), pocketing the several thousand dollars versus the "new car price", and then drive them until they aren't worth $1000 anymore (typically about 12-15 years).

I do however, have a maintenance fund that I contribute to (although not nearly what I would pay for a car payment), so that If I need it it's there, and if I don't.....hey, I have an extra $xx,000 in the bank!

This also allows me not to have "full coverage" insurance.
(which is really there to protect the bank, and not you)

I don't mind paying for someone else's car or doctor if I case damage, but I'll use that maintenance fund to fix mine if necessary, and again pocket the difference.


Now, if I were the type that buys a new car every 3 years and was accustomed to losing that $xx,000 every time.......