There ARE benefits to leasing a high-priced vehicle. BMW had the saving grace to have their cars under an all-inclusive factory warranty, which got them back to the dealership for service and oil changes. Which save them the negative publicity, several years ago, of engine failures from less expensive oil being used in them, than the full-syn oil they were then-designed to use. braim
When I did dealer training on the then-new Pontiac Grand Prix, they had us driving the GTP Comp G cars (supercharged 3800 Buiick V-6 with the suspension upgrade and BFG 39K mile performance radials). The presenter told us to NOT put any Comp G cars out on lease. No matter what. Reason? The tires would need replacement before the end of a three year lease period. He said "You'll have some unhappy customers who had to buy tires before the lease is up." So, put out the regular GTP cars with tires that'll last longer, but with very similar suspension calibrations.
The lease amount is determined by the projected resale value of the car (projected residual value) at the mileage limit stated in the lease. If it needs new tires, then you pay for them yourself or get dinged on the return charge. Which is why the Pontiac guy mentioned it.
$679.00/month USED to be "a house payment", but many young 'uns spend that much for PAYMENTS on a new/used crew cab diesel pickup truck down here. Even a bit more in some cases!
Leasing can get you into more vehicle than monthly payments can, but you can also put a down payment into a lease, too, to buy-down the payments a bit. Just like on a new car, or in some cases, a low mileage used car of recent vintage. That's how some dealers kept their sales up in the later '70s with customers who wouldn't otherwise have been able to afford a new car.
When we were figuring if a lease would make sense for me, then me purchase the care off-lease, the prices were about the same either way. That was on a '85 Z/28, at the time. I kept what I had (and still have).
If you can afford a set amount for a monthly payment, then want something different every couple of years, a lease can be what you need. Keep making payments without the hassle of trade-in values/activities. Plus it allegedly can make tax preparations easier for professional people who deduct vehicle costs for their business (the example used to be doctors and such). So, in some respects, a manufacturer's lease can be a more worry-free vehicle ownership experience, for what it's worth. Just READ and UNDERSTAND the fine print, the mileage limit, return fees, "wear and tear" adjustments", etc. of what you commit to for the lease period!
I always liked the looks of the original Daytona compared to the Superbird. I guess the sales performance of the 'Bird is more what I was thinking of when I mentioned "prior sales" of 'Birds. Thanks for pointing out the difference.
Of those 50th Anniv. Daytonas, any information on what the average transaction price has been? Just curious.
CBODY67
You need to get out and enjoy that higher HP 440 you have, and rack up those miles. 
