It's not buy vs. lease. It's finance vs. lease. If a person could truly "afford" the car, they'd pay with the money from their savings account. I am constantly amazed by the number of people that avoid leasing but will be all too happy to finance over 84 months. After all, they've heard that they won't own anything after 4 years of leasing. Compare that with what they'll have after 4 years of that 84 month contract.
Seriously, what matters is that you compare similar situations when comparing the two. For example, many people seem to believe that comparing a 4 year lease with a 4 year finance is clear evidence that financing is better. They conveniently forget that the finance payment will be much, much higher than the lease payment. So much higher that it wouldn't be possible for the average buyer to afford, making the whole comparison moot.
Also, determine what is important to you with regard to car ownership. Some people cannot stand driving old cars. Some place a high priority on having the safest, newest, etc. These people will never be happy paying for something for years only to say, "whoopee, I now own an old car." In the same way, some people see no value at all in the newness of a car. These people see anything less than 15 years of ownership as a waste. These people will never be happy leasing a new car every few years.
Bottom line is that you will get responses to your question covering every possible view on the topic. Until you determine what is important to you, it won't matter what anyone else thinks.
