Cars: Lease or Buy

You guys do remember why Fiat didn't sell cars in the US for about three decades, right? They're shit.

The only reason I can forsee buying new is its the only way I'll ever get the color/option package I want. Pretty happy with my oft rain-soaked 14 yr old Miata that refuses to die, but yellow manual trans glass-roofed Veloster, I'm looking at you.

Leasing new is for those who willing to absorb first 3 years of depreciation (which ranges from 32-68%) and have nothing at the end. Possibly makes sense on some cars that don't depreciate as much.

New Fiat is hugely different from old Fiat. My parents had one of those pea green old Fiats in the late 70s and it was such a steaming pile. Wouldn't start above 80 or below 40. The former was no big deal but the latter was a problem in northern New England.

My wife wants the new 500. I'm up to try it but I'm not sure I'll fit in one comfortably. I have issues with little cars; my knees often hit the sides of the steering wheel or my head hits the roof. Can't comfortably drive a Prius, for example. Leg cramp city.

I used to drive an Austin 1800; my tall friends loved it, they never had to put the seat back. Acres of room!

I never notice new cars and even I noticed the Fiat 500. I'm actually going to be buying my first ever car in the next few months if things go to plan. Not sure what I'm after but I'm in the UK and want an automatic so my options are a bit more limited than for a manual. Toyota Yaris seems p good.

If the Fiat X1/9 came back (and was affordable, as it used to be), I'd jump on that.