Cars: is buying or leasing the real money saver?

Legendary oil barron Paul Getty once said “if itFirst you can have a new car every 2 to 4 years
appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, lease it”.depending on your leasing contract and company.
Many would say that’s surely just commonMonthly payments are on average 33% to 55%
sense. But if such lessons in money managementcheaper than a normal car loan, not to mention
are so obvious, why then, do so many peoplethat there is no need for a huge up-front deposit,
nowadays readily buy into shrinking markets?normally the majority of leasing contracts only
Take buying a house for instance. If you take outask for a small deposit of 3 monthly payments.
a mortgage in the current economic climate,In most cases the vehicle’s warranty cover
chances are you’ll start the repayment in thethe lease period which covers most of the
negative - which, in a strange way, means a guymaintenance costs and road taxes are usually
standing outside your house would own more of itincluded in the lease. But without a doubt what
than you do! Despite this, it’s common forattracts most people to lease car is that fact that
people to look upon renting property disparaginglyyou are able to drive away a car that you might
- as money down the drain. Even though takingnot even dream of buying if you had to buy it or
out a mortgage is a commitment that could endask for loan to purchase it.
up losing you money. For an investment of thatHow the lease price of a car is determined?
size not to make a decent return (if any)There are various factors that are taking into
isn’t common sense!account to determine the leasing value of a car.
The truth is that an educated customer, withFirst and foremost the initial purchase price then
greater knowledge and information at hand, willage, millage, condition and two other factors that
always get the best deal – whether it’swill need a bit more explanation.
looking into property or a new car – and willThe first factor is called depreciation and it refers
be better positioned to negotiate beneficial termsto the reduction in the car’s value caused by
of any agreement.age, mileage and condition. The make and model
The problem is most people are guided byhave great influence on the depreciation value and
conventional knowledge which so often are theis worth noting that a vehicle’s depreciation is
result of uninformed hear’say. Car leasing isgreatest during the first year.
slightly different from taking out mortgage to buyThe second factor that influences in the lease
a house which usually appreciates in value afterprice is called residual value – this term refers
purchase whereas when you buy a new car theto the predicted value of your car when it
minute you drive out the dealer it loses value.reaches the end of the lease.
Taking out a car lease or contract hire agreementWhat are the best cars for Leasing?
to purchase a car you are simply paying a setThis answer is succinct and very straight forward.
amount a month for something that is losing, notCars made by German manufacturers as they
gaining value.depreciate far less than other brands. Take Audi
Some might say what is the point in all this, payfor instance there are Audi leasing options that
for something that loses value and its not reallyallows you to drive away an Audi A3 for as little
yours. But there are other benefits that make caras £240 a month a lot less than what you
leasing more attractive than buying a new one.would pay for a loan on the same car.