[Niva]

Originally Posted by guitarpath

Interesting reasoning. Leasing is most definitely renting. Call it whatever you want. But isn't renting an apartment "financing the use of the apartment"?

Bottom line: you are paying to use a car you don't (and won't) own. Just as renting is paying for use of a home one doesn't own.

People should do whatever they are comfortable doing. But lets be real and not play word games.

Good point Guitar. The problem is many people are comfortable living beyond their means and then are always complaining about money. Not everyone who leases of course, but a lot of people do lease in order to "buy" a car they can't afford.

[richardew]

Interesting reasoning. Leasing is most definitely renting. Call it whatever you want. But isn't renting an apartment "financing the use of the apartment"?

You are comparing apples and oranges. An apartment, ie. real estate is an asset that generally appreciates wheras an automobile is an asset that depreciates. When you rent a property you do not realize any gain/loss in the value of that asset that occured while you were in possession of it, you simply pay to use it. A vehicle is an asset that loses value over time and you are paying for the loss. At the end of the lease, the vehicle has a pre determined value (based on the MSRP). If it is worth more you can buy it and realize that gain or perhaps negotiate with the dealer to realize that gain somehow.

[Shaw]

here is a poll : http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567393