Very much this. I lease my car and tend to change when the brand I want is having a low-lease-rate special, and buy based on the monthly rate I want to pay. By doing this I get a new car every 2-3 years, no worries about maintenance, and the techie in me gets to play with new car features every few years. (Of course the laws in Ontario are pretty good when it comes to things like lease residuals and whatnot, so I’m not in fear of being “underwater” at the end of the lease or anything, either). I also fully research the exact model and spec of vehicle I want before I head into the dealer, and will happily wait for the order to arrive if they don’t have it on the floor.
As I approach retirement I’m sure I’ll make my last purchase as a 0% finance for some ungodly period, grab an extended warranty with roadside assistance, and hold onto that car until either it, or I, am no longer road worthy. But until then, I’m happy having a fixed monthly cost with no surprises that just goes into my budget.
