Joe, I get the I want to own it thing and that you want to keep it for a longer period than most. But when it comes to leasing if you actually put all that capital you spend on a car into the stock market - even on a Nasdaq tracker, you would be thousands of $ better off. I assure you. Never put capital into assets that depreciate - period. (Unless you absolutely have to!)I did not lease, as I knew what this vehicle was and wasn't when I purchased it and it suits my needs. I plan on using it for at least 10 years, so I will have done WAY better on the financials than anybody who leased a 2019.
Since the dawn of time, each year there is a better, improved car to drive. I don't need "better" every year to keep up with the neighbors, the e-tron serves its purpose for me.
Here's the Nasdaq over 5 years -
When you think about this way you would never "buy" a car outright.. not one that is new .. maybe a classic Ferrari
So let's say that you paid $90,000 for your new Audi, and in 5 yrs the Audi will be worth at least 35% less - you can argue the % but considerably less.
If you leased your Audi and put that $90k into the stock market on a nasdaq tracker, and you did this say between 2015 and today, your $90k would be worth $172k - almost doubled.
But "Aha" you say " you have the lease cost to pay".. which is right - so let's factor in the lease cost and remove that from your investment every year.
You would have at the end of 5 yrs, $84,555 capital invested (having deducted the lease cost every year - I did this on a quote for a black edition just now).
So the depreciated Audi would be worth about $58,500 @35%, but by leasing you hand back the car, chose a new one and still have $85k in the bank.