it really depends if you plan to keep it long time or change often.
Lease :There is no right answer if you changing often and if you do not exceed the max milleage then lease is good and you keep the burden of the resale value on the manufacturer. cough cough...Hello Chrysler you do not trust resale value of your cars because you do not offer leases....
the rule of thumb the more often you change car the more it is going to cost you...but with a lease the incertainty of the resale value is on the crapfacturer.
The less the vehicle is expected to depreciate, the better the lease deal is for you.
Remember purchase assets that appreciate and lease assets that depreciate.
Some people will tell you... with a lease the car is not yours.....false... try to stop your car loan payments after months Hello repo guy.
Loan: keep it 8 to 10 yrs and you will save...but choose a vehicle that is going the keep its value.
Ex
odge avenger and Dodge Caliber....... check the projected values on the BB.... it is like throwing money in the toilet. An average Caliber will sell at 7k after 4 yrs and a ****vic or other car that keep their value will sell at 9k after 4 yrs. Remember after 7 yrs the resale value gap will grow. Now you know why some manufacturers wont do leases again.