[Sugarphreak]

Unless you can write off the payments through a business leasing is a terriable way to get a car. It is like throwing money away. Plus they will probably get you in the end anyway with mileage, wear & tear and other shifty contract clauses if you want to trade instead of buying out. If you buy out you are literally throwing at least a thousand dollars away.

You are looking to get yourself into financial trouble if you are not careful. I would reccomend you at least get nutral equity in your current vehicle before going for a Fit.

First off, basically the dealer is going to rip you off on the trade in (hey I know some of you guys are dealers, but it is true). Try to sell your existing car privately first. If you can't get what you owe on it the bottom line is you need to start saving up money so you can just pay out what you owe after you sell it.

I know it sucks and you might have your heart set on a new Fit. But it just isn't worth it to be more in debt than you need to be. If you go through with a lease you will be further reducing your income more than it already is, which means you can't save as much, which means your throwing money away on interest. The long term affect of this decision will probably affect you dramatically and be in the 10's of thousands over just a couple of years (between the depreciation, the taxes, the interest paid, the extra amount the leasing will cost over financing and reduced useable income).

Take it from somebody who has been there!