I've bought 2 new cars before. Luckily I made out in the end on both of them when it was time to get rid of them. BUT after leasing this last car. I'll never new buy again
Why I'll never buy new again ( after buying 2 cars brand new )
1) I didn't put a penny down towards the cap cost or fees on my lease and still saved $200 a month over buying. And that was the payment if i was buying with $3,500 down.
2) My lease closing cost was the tax. The dealer ate everything else.
3) At Tier 1+ Credit my rate was rock bottom, even better than what I would have gotten if I bought the car
4) I took advantage of a couple of lease incentives. Conquer cash for trading in a benz and another one.
5) I bought down the money factor and reduced my payment, I get all of that money back at the end of my lease
6) I keep this car for 27 months and give it back.
7) When I give the car back I can find a new one. I don't have to worry about a trade in and the MASSIVE depreciation a new car takes in it's first 3 years. The manufacturer takes the hit for me.
Do I feel like I'm throwing money down a hole? Not anymore than someone who buys a car and finds out that they're upside down after making payments for 3 years. In most cases you're not going to see equity that early and any equity you do see is probably that money you put down.
Buying is for people who want to drive the same car until the wheels fall off or for people who want to buy in the sub 20k range. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Buying used is a completely different story and I encourage that too if your research is proper.