I'm pretty open to a lot of different options but have only a few guidelines. I'm also willing to wait so if you know of any future deals post them here. I'm really all over the place and can't decide so its hard for me to even narrow down what I'm looking for. Can't figure out how much luxury or efficiency to trade off for low cost.

-Willing to buy used (would prefer to buy used 3+ years for the hot spot)
-Willing to lease new with little or no down payment
-Looking for a small car but would consider midsize
-Electric is a plus but not willing to pay a lot for one (so no tesla)
-Convertible is a plus its just a personal thing i like
-Luxury is a plus but no mandatory
-Under 500/month but 200 would be ideal.

Some models I really like are Audi A4, BMW 128i, and VW IOS. I've decided against smart but have considered the fiat 500 (i saw a 99/month lease deal which is pretty attractive). I'm generally not a fan of prius because of the hatchback design but would probably consider it if the price is right.

[Edited on May 26, 2016 at 10:11 PM. Reason : k]

5/26/2016 10:10:31 PM

Quote :

"200"

better look at econocars stickering in the 15-18k range

fwiw my sister just got into a 4door, base model Mazda3 lease and is paying $270/month (with her down payment and fees rolled into the monthly bill)

[Edited on May 26, 2016 at 10:18 PM. Reason : not the best deal. Mazda was advertising $180/month on their US website before fees]

5/26/2016 10:17:31 PM

yeah my friend pays 89/month for a jetta.

5/26/2016 10:38:34 PM

Quote :

"Luxury is a plus but no mandatory"

Quote :

"3+ years for the hot spot"

Get you a 2013 to 2016 Mazda 3 with some options

5/26/2016 11:31:25 PM

don't lease, there are only a few scenarios when it makes sense financially, it's usually just pissing away money

5/27/2016 2:57:24 PM

If you're planning on getting a new car in 3 years it's fine.

5/27/2016 3:06:34 PM

Leasing used to be awful, no it can actually be a pretty good deal. Based on what he is looking for leasing might be a good idea.

5/27/2016 10:08:07 PM

it makes sense financially if you always wants a new car and would otherwise just be buying a new car every few years (since you would perpetually be in a higher payment buying vs leasing), but i don't see where The E Man plans on replacing this in 3 years

if you do decide to lease, make sure that you negotiate everything including the purchase price at the end

5/28/2016 12:18:38 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nissan-Versa-1-6L-L4-DOHC-16V-/191881474137

5/29/2016 12:13:53 AM

^Just had a rental Versa, that was one of the most dreadful cars I've ever driven. No way.

Leasing can make sense if you negotiate a reasonable buyout at lease end or if (as noted) you just want a new car every 3 years. We leased my wife's car new, and when it hit lease end, the buyout was below book value. She liked it so we exercised the buyout option and still have it. But you have to take a little of a gamble there, also, and a lease with either a solid down or a sizeable monthly payment. (Ours was around $300/mo.) For any of these sub 200/mo leases, you're either going to have a huge down payment or an absurdly high buyout--they're going to make their money at one end or the other.

5/29/2016 3:08:12 AM

I look at it like a rental. I live in a place where i don't have to have a car but we spend like 200 a month renting card and sober ubers.

Being able to walk away from the car after 3 years sounds more like a perk because our situation will probably be a lot different by then.

5/29/2016 11:32:22 AM