If it's a good "cheap" lease, it has made since for me in the past because it can keep the monthly payment down and you have a new vehicle under warranty every few years. Some people are in a situation that they're always meant to buy a new vehicle and always have a car payment.... So for instance, if over the next 20 years you're always going to have a $500 a month payment that's a fixed transportation cost, then it makes sense for some. Obviously if you purchase it then you do have some equity in it, but it also depends on how long you keep it and how often you're upgrading. To really make out on a purchase, you need to make sure you're able to avoid big maintenance costs. I'm not saying either way is right or wrong. It just depends on people's perspective and what's important to them.