Leasing only makes sense for a business wanting help with cash flow.
Buying makes sense if you cannot take advantage of the small business tax advantages.
Leasing forces a bunch of "do nots" on the contract.
Do not exceed so many miles.
Do not modify it.
At lease end sure you can swap it for a new one but there will be a bunch of extra charges like replace the windshield. And return all your mods to stock, original condition. What you call normal wera and tear, they will charge you for.
Financially, if you save for the down payment and finance thru your bank at a good rate you will spend thousands less than if you lease. With a lease you will never own it..... unless you buy it out. Add up all the lease expenses, including the buy out..... compare that to a down payment and loan....
At the end of the lease you can trade in in just like if you where buying. For about 800 bucks (somewhat negotiable) I bought an insurance for usual wear and tear including brakes and tires.
If I trade it that 800 dollars is wasted money. Miles can cost you but will be less painful if you trade it in.
It is all about the trade in/residual value.
If you modify the vehicle and turn it in that can cost you.
There are definitely limitations with leasing.
It is a calculator drill and you have to look at the history of the vehicle.
The trade in value for a three year old vehicle like mine with the amount I drive is about the same as the residual value as mine.
Even if I loose a grand or two I still come out way ahead of vehicles I have bought and traded in after three years and my payments were lower.
As far as business write off? I have rentals and use my 79 one ton Chevy to haul off trash and materials to fix / maintain it.
I can write of the miles or cost to operate it. It is not 100% used for business so I write off the miles. I am not sure what the tax right advantage is for buying vs leasing?
Other things I own for my business I can depreciate but only for so long. I suppose with a lease that would be different.
I won't use my leased vehicle for business so I can't write it off.