That sounds very logical -- but the problem is that the deals are so complicated, and the math to really figure it out requires the equivalent of an advanced degree in finance, plus the assumptions are tricky, and most salespeople seek to confuse rather than clarify, so the bottom line is it is very difficult to do a good comparison.

I generally keep my cars for a long time, so when I do my own math it always comes out that I'm better off buying . . . but if I wanted a short-term "disposable" car and there were real good lease deals, I would consider it.