I would say the same for those who toss out a credit score number without specifying from which of the multiple credit scoring scales it is derived. Don't ask for my scores, as I have no clue what they are on any scale. Moved beyond that before 'FICO' became a household word.
I'll chime in, but try and keep it civil. A true lease you can only find in apartments. The landlord is responsible for all maintenance, upkeep, and repairs and taxes on the property except those repairs caused by gross negligence of the lessees (usually) This isn't typically the way with Car leases. You get to pay the taxes, titling fees, etc. You get to pay for regular maintenance and upkeep. And, when the lease is up, guess what? You can continue month-to-month usually. Or, you can turn it in and lose a lot of money on overage miles (honestly, who really drives less than 12000 miles a year?) and claims of the car not being in tip-top perfect shape. What car is going to be after 3 or 4 years on the road with dump trucks, construction vehicles, road salt, hail, deer, rabbits, other cars, pedestrians, tree limbs, check holes, etc? I'm not even going to get into credit scores, but I will tell you that some of the best people in the world may have low credit scores, and some of the worst people in the world may have outstanding credit scores. Yet, is is those very same unfortunate souls with low credit that get to pay more on everything from auto insurance to cell phones (if they even qualify for one) to electricity, gas heat, and even water bills. I bought my prius outright. It's used. But, it's mine. I don't owe anybody anything for it. I reckon some of you may say I should've bought a new one. Why take the hit on depreciation? As for leasing, it's not for me. It may be perfect for others. Perhaps I would be interested if you could choose to lease a car for just 3 or 4 months, and not 3 or 4 years. An earlier poster I think hit the nail on the head as far as car leases go. Watch for the silent F. Fleasing. Too high of a residual value means at the end of the lease, you've paid all sorts of money, and have nothing to show for it. And, don't get me started on "financing" a car. Everybody else but the buyer typically ends up the winner on that one.
