E30 M3's- DD

[vinuneuro]

I realize all of that. You're assuming I'm going to find a new car that I think is worth leasing and driving (and I can afford), and then that the lease will work out such that the depreciation will be greater than what i would have paid over the course of the lease. Plus, how much do you think an E30 M3 or an ITR is going to depreciate? The market value for a clean 97 ITR is ~$15k, and that's not getting any lower. Similar situation with the M3.

The only advantage I see with leasing most of the time is the broken-up tax benefit. Cars depreciate less as they get older, esp these. If I sell down the road, I'll get a good chunk of the money back. Can't same the same at the end of the lease.

Not being arrogant, just rationalizing things from a different angle.

[SANguru]

you're assuming that somebody's going to want the car after you're done with it. The car's value is what somebody if anybody is willing to buy it at a certain price. Doesn't always work that way especially with something 10 or 20 years old... type r ain't no classic.. and did I mention it's slow...

why not pay a little more and find a used STI or Evo?

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

I realize all of that. You're assuming I'm going to find a new car that I think is worth leasing and driving (and I can afford), and then that the lease will work out such that the depreciation will be greater than what i would have paid over the course of the lease. Plus, how much do you think an E30 M3 or an ITR is going to depreciate? The market value for a clean 97 ITR is ~$15k, and that's not getting any lower. Similar situation with the M3.

The only advantage I see with leasing most of the time is the broken-up tax benefit. Cars depreciate less as they get older, esp these. If I sell down the road, I'll get a good chunk of the money back. Can't same the same at the end of the lease.

Not being arrogant, just rationalizing things from a different angle.

[LeMansX5]

I used to have a Honda which I did not lease. I owned for 5 years and it ended up costing more than lease. Sometime lease does make sense.

[rickp]

I have to agree with others... Lease and invest the rest of the money (or pay off bills). Hell, try swapalease.com or leasetrader.com and get a "new" car every year.