Lease a Stinger vs Buy a Mazda3

chkgnmbrs221chkgnmbrs221 Member Posts: 21
edited August 2018 in General
Okay, completely different cars I know but at the trim levels I am looking at, they are quite close. Mazda3 Grand Touring with Premium Package vs the 2.0 AWD Premium version of the Stinger with Driver Assist pkg. The 3GT with the Premium package actually has led foglights and adaptive pivoting headlights, which the Stinger does not. However the Stinger Premium with Driver Assist has the AWD and Android Auto along with huge cargo room, but the 3GT gets 36mpg hwy and a HUD. Stereos and the rest are about the same (adaptive cruise, brake assist, heated seats/wheel, etc). I do go on long drives. Both cars handle very well. Worried about the thirstiness of the Stinger at 22 city, 29 hwy (though that is pretty good compared to Subaru, Infinity, Lexus, Acura, etc).

I have an option to buy the 3GT at a great price with remote start. I have an even better (relatively speaking) deal in front of me for the Stinger Premium lease. The idea of having a car for a long time vs not does not matter to me, I have gone back and forth on owning and leasing. I am just unsure in this case. The Stinger is longer than the Mazda3, so a bit tougher to maneuver/park in tight big city streets. But the AWD especially in Minnesota winters would be nice (never had a problem with FWD though).

I have read that you can buy out the lease on the Stinger right away which is interesting, as the price reduction is nearly 11k with the lease offer and dealer incentives (get a 44k car for 33k).

Just looking for the experts' thoughts on here.

Comments

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 257,369
    Comparing lease vs. buy payments isn't apples to apples.

    Just because the payments are the same doesn't give them the same actual cost for the long term. The Stinger is much, much more expensive.

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  • chkgnmbrs221chkgnmbrs221 Member Posts: 21
    How so? Like with maintenance or something? The negotiated selling prices are only about 5k apart. So you are saying it is better to buy the Mazda3?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 257,369

    How so? Like with maintenance or something? The negotiated selling prices are only about 5k apart. So you are saying it is better to buy the Mazda3?

    Make 36 finance payments on the Mazda 3, and you should have some equity in the vehicle. Make 36 lease payments on the Stinger, and you have nothing.

    If I lease a $50K vehicle for $600 month, or finance a $30K vehicle for $600/mo., it doesn't mean that my actual cost is the same.

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  • chkgnmbrs221chkgnmbrs221 Member Posts: 21
    Yes, just worried about depreciation on a brand new car. If it depreciates faster than my payment, I have no equity! I understand what you are saying....which is why I am considering buying out the lease right away on the Stinger. To take advantage of the lease cash offer of 7600. Then I would own it. Does that make more sense then?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 257,369

    Yes, just worried about depreciation on a brand new car. If it depreciates faster than my payment, I have no equity! I understand what you are saying....which is why I am considering buying out the lease right away on the Stinger. To take advantage of the lease cash offer of 7600. Then I would own it. Does that make more sense then?

    It would make more sense to lease the Mazda 3, if you are concerned about keeping to a monthly budget.

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