<p>If he does not want to be tied down, why not just buy a cheap car (new or used)? The depreciation loss when selling a cheap car will be less than the depreciation loss on an expensive car (what one is paying for when leasing).</p>
<p>A lease does tie down the lessee for the remaining time period of the lease. There are also other traps, like whether one knows what an appropriate mileage limit is, and whether the lease terms have restrictions on changing residence.</p>
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ucbalumnus just reminded me… At lease end you can get dinged badly by a nit-picky inspection that charges you for “damage” if the car is less than perfect. If the tires don’t have sufficient tread you will have to buy a whole new set to turn the car in. I would not take over a lease. </p>
<p>The one time I leased a new car I thought I was protected - the lease allowed for 3 separate items up to $500 each for a total of $1500 in damage, but they found hail damage (which was actually acorn damage) of $850 and they insisted I pay.</p>