duke09hms, you are new to the forum so consider this your first official MMM FACEPUNCH! You don't lease a car under any circumstances, ever. Seriously? You buy a reliable used car, and if you don't have experience buying a used car, get some experience, and quickly. Look up models in your price range with Consumer Reports, stick with reliable models. 'Peace of mind' is crap and not a good reason to get a new car. I drive a 2001 Acura TL (nice car, much nicer than I need) and though it has 120,000+ miles on it, it's been totally reliable for the years I've owned it. DH drives a 2005 Ford Focus, also with no major mechanical issues, purchased with about 60,000+ miles. These were purchased with cash, no loans, but we own them free and clear and could sell either of them for about $4,000 today if we wanted to.
Don't think she 'deserves' a leased new car (she doesn't), don't make excuses about it being good financially (it's not), plus with med school, I'm guessing you both have considerable debt (like $200,000+?).