Lease Questions - Ask Here

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Yes, cstidham, the lease money factor that I provided you with is for consumers who qualify for Toyota Financial Services' "Tier 1" credit tier. I know that it has special money factors for "Tier 2" customers that are slightly higher than this, but I do not know exactly what it is for this model at this time. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that it is probably in the .00140 to .00150 range, but I am not positive.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hi theotherbear. You were quoted a money factor of .00382 to lease a 2005 Dodge Dakota last month?!?!? It is a good thing that you did not sign that deal. Either your credit is not in very good shape, or the dealer that you were working with was trying to mark-up this truck's base money factor to add additional back-end profit to your deal. Chrysler Financial's base 3 year lease money factor for a lease of an '05 Dakota 4WD is only .00279 right now. This is not a very good money factor, it is equivalent to an interest rate of around 6.7%, but it is a heck of a lot better than the one that you were quoted. A money factor of .00382 is equivalent to an interest rate of over 9%. I am sure that the dealer that you are currently working with can beat that deal by a wide margin. When negotiating leases, pay special attention to the selling price and money factor that are used to calculate your vehicle's monthly payment. These are the two main places that dealers profit from on leases.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

No problem, coffee_fan. The selling prices of leased vehicles are always negotiable. I am sure that the advertised lease on the 2005 9-3 Linear Wagon that appears on Saab's web site assumes some sort of dealer discount in addition to the $3,000 lease cash. This would explain why the advertised payment is lower than the one that you came up with.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

I would be more than happy to give you an idea of what this car's lease program is currently like, roncas. However, in order for me to do so, I need you to tell me how long you want to lease it for and how many miles per year you need to be able to drive it. BMW's current lease program on this car is only scheduled to run through February 28th. So if you do not plan on finalizing your deal before then, post a reminder for me in a few days and I will fill you in on what its new March program is like.

As you suspect, I assume that most dealers are providing decent discounts on this car at this time. You should be able to find out more information about how much others are paying for similar cars by visiting the following discussion: "BMW 3-Series: Prices Paid & Buying Experience".

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

You're welcome, nurse31. Here is the information that you are looking for. If you were to lease a 2005 BMW 545i through BMW Financial Services for 3 years with 12,000 miles per prior to the beginning of March, its base lease money factor and residual value should be .00100 and 61%, respectively. With this program, at lease signing you would have to pay this car's first month's payment, a security deposit that is equivalent to its monthly payment rounded up to the nearest $50 increment, and BMW FS' lease acquisition fee of $625 (this fee is higher in New York).

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hi David. If I was in your situation, I personally would lease a new vehicle rather than purchasing my leased Accord. Honda has some very attractive deals on the Accord right now if you want to replace it with another one.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Greetings James. The numbers that you mentioned for both of the trucks that you are interested in are correct, with one exception. The residual values that you posted are for leases with 12,000 miles per year. If you were to lease these vehicles with 15,000 miles per year, their residual values would be 2% lower. FYI, BMW's current lease program is only scheduled to run through February 28th.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Here you go, cynic. If you were to lease a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S through Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. prior to the beginning of March for 2 years with 15,000 miles per, its base lease money factor and residual value should be .00021 and 69%, respectively. The numbers for an otherwise identical 3 year lease should be .00079 and 58%. This car's 12,000 miles per year residual values would be 1% higher.

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sfcharlie · February 2005

Hi, Car_Man;

The car you helped with with a couple months ago will arrive soon and I gave details in a posting yesterday, but wanted to ask you specifically if you could let me know the money factor -- dealer quotes .0034 and says it could change on March 1. His estimated monthly payment of $435 is not too far off from the one you suggested ($391), but he's figuring $1,000 down and I don't think you were.

Thanks for nay help,
SFCharlie

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

I am sorry to hear that you had an unpleasant shopping experience, trneal276. It is pretty unprofessional for any salesperson to tell you how much money they made on a deal.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hey sfcharlie. If you were to lease a 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible through its captive finance company right now for 3 years with 12,000 miles per, its base lease money factor and residual value should be .00255 and 60%, respectively. It is true that this car's March lease program may be different than its current one, but it is difficult to say exactly what its new program will be like before it is officially published. Using these numbers, an MSRP of $25,900, and no discount in this car's selling price, I come up with a zero down, pre-tax monthly payment of around $394.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Delrick, GM's lease program on this truck is not all that great, but given the fact that it just cut this truck's price by $1,500 to $2,000, has cash incentives on it, you are able to buy one through the supplier purchase program, and I believe have GM card earnings, you should be able to get a 2005 Envoy for a very low price.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

No problem, pingpng50. Lexus Financial Services' 4 year residual value for the 2005 LS 430 is 1% lower for models that are equipped with the navigation system.

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kyfdx · February 2005

I can tell you how they came up with the .0034 money factor..

.00255 base
.00030 waive acq.fee
.00015 waive security deposit
.00040 maximum markup

.00340 total..

Which equates to a very bad deal..

regards,
kyfdx

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Sounds good, funky1020. Talk to you soon.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

You never mentioned the exact selling price of the car that you are interested in leasing. I need the selling price of this car to calculate its lease payment. I would be more than happy to work up a sample lease payment on the LS 430 that you are interested in for you if you let me know what its selling price is.

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00boxsters · February 2005

Repeat of post 17316 : Add $1000 to LS430 invoice= $55,373. Selling price = 56,373

Hello Carman

I got a quote today on a 2005 Lexus LS430. The sticker price is $62,734. A 36 month lease with 15,000 miles brought the price to $799/month (including 9% tax from PA). This included $1900 due at delivery which included the first months payment. I do not now know everything else included in the $1900 due at delivery fee. I know they used Lexus to lease the vehicle.

With this available information can you tell me if this is a good deal. I am told by the sales manager it is about $1000 over invoice.

dblotner · February 2005

Car_Man

Thanks for the information and the advice. I did wind up leasing the Saab Arc Wagon and thought I'd share the terms with you. Some of the numbers I had been given by the dealership were a lttle off, but they have a very nifty software program that allows them to adjust any number and show you what the effect is on the lease payment. So I did have them run one with no downpayment towards cap cost. We would be paying taxes, tags, and first month's payment. That came out to $463.37 with an out of pocket cost to us of $2312.87, which includes a $500 reduction for the lease loyalty rebate. They were using both the 47% residual value and .00048 money factor. But the final #'s were a little different because I wanted to get the payments under $450, so here they are:

MSRP --- $38,295
Selling Price - $33,670
Acquisition Fee- $595
Gross Cap Cost- $34,265

Cap Cost Reduction - $1000 ($500 lease loyalty and $500 we put in out of pocket)

Net Cap Cost ---$33,265

Residual Value -$17,998.65 (.47 of 38,295)
Depreciation - $15,266.35

The money factor they used was the .00048
Interest -- $886.13

So the monthly payments came to $448.68 and we had to pay $2797.18 out of pocket (taxes, tags, first month's payment and $500 cap cost reduction). Saab is also absorbing the last three months of payments on our 2002 wagon and didn't charge us a dispostion fee for the vehicle or a security deposit for the new vehicle. We could have gotten a lttle bit better deal on the selling price if we had more time, but with no assurance Saab would extend this lease program to March, we just decided to buy from the dealer that we had dealt with in the past and that had the car we wanted in stock. All in all, I think it was a pretty decent deal.

Again Car_man, thanks for your help and the advice.

sharkala · February 2005

Hi Carman,
You were very helpful with my lease of a porsche cayenne. I am now in the market for a 2005 Nissan Exterra SE, the only options are side moldings, splash guards, floor mats, wheel locks and cargo cover-
the MSRP is 28,350
Can you give me the lease for a 36 month and 48 month with 12K miles-
I will probably be putting at least $1000 down-
thanks.

mlegere · February 2005

I have fallen in love with the Boxster S. I cant afford anything new so have been looking into a used one. I have found a 2002 Boxster S with trip, bose sound cruz, elec seats new conti tires with new 18" carr wheels 25k Miles and a asking price of 33988. So the lease question is (and their are many) Is leasing a used Boxster a good Idea!! Im am currently upside down in my 04 BMW MCS ABOUT 4K. I dont know anything about leasing any and all help much needed. What would be the res value on this car be in 4-yrs. What is a good Int rate or money factor. I would like to purchase an extended warranty appro cost 2500 should I roll that into the lease aswell? I DRIVE BETWEEN 12-15K per yr. Since I'm upside down I'm I just plain crazy for thinking about doing this? Who are some of the better leasing company out there? My beacon score is not the greatest prob around high 500's to low 600's Kelly blue book puts the retail value at 43k dealer trade in at 31500 and private part value at 35k. I have tried to list as much info as possible but if I have missed anything please ask.
Mike L
mlegere01@hotmail.com

zachsmom · February 2005

Mr. Carman (O Great Oracle of the Lease),

MSRP: $39990 (base cost + luxury package + destination)
Cap Cost: $34,000
Acquisition Fee: $670
(less) Rebate $500
Net Cap Cost: $34,170
Residual: $18513.30
Money Factor: .00017
Initial Out of Pocket: $ 1601.47 (first pmt, sales tax)
Monthly Payment : $443.87
3 year / 30,000

Your thoughts on this deal, please?

zimp4us · February 2005

My local BMW dealer has a new 2004 525 (premium, xenons, auto, sat. radio prep, MSRP 44545) and 530 (prem, sport, auto, xenons, MSRP 52770) left on the lot. What would be reasonable lease target numbers for a 3 yr, 15k/yr lease? They have already offered discounts of $8K, but I realize the residuals are reduced as well. Thanks.

ksd · February 2005

CarMan,
I am headed to a dealer tomorrow hoping to take advantage of the "tax sale" they have in my area. (Dealers have to pay taxes on the inventory of cars they have on their lot March 1st)
I'm looking to try and negotiate a lease deal for a 36 month, 12K miles/year, with no money down on one of 3 vehicles. I am looking at the 2005 JGC Laredo, 2005 Nissan Murano, and 2005 Buick Rendevous.
I have 1 month left on my current lease of a 2002 JGC. If I go with Jeep again, I can participate in the "Pull ahead" program they have and not pay my last months payment or the disposition fee that my last dealer gouged me with $900.00 (ouch...I now know it should only have been around $300.00) I believe if I go with Nissan or Buick I will probably have to pay my last payment and the $900.00 fee.

Can you help me out here? I don't want any out lay of cash.....no security deposit or anything other than my first months payment. Let me know what a good deal would be on any of the vehicles below.

According to Edmunds:
JGC Laredo
MSRP $32,040
Invoice $29,370
TMV $30,365 -$1000(incentives and rebates) =
$29,365
a dealer in my area is offering this vehicle with $2000.00 down for $359.00/mo. I don't want to put anything down.

2005 Nissan Murano
MSRP $35,660
Invoice $32,537
TMV $33,848

2005 Buick Rendevous
MSRP $36,920
Invoice $33,196
TMV $32,602 - $4,500(incentives and rebates)=
$28,102

miiames · February 2005

Car Man:
I have a 2002 Civic lease that expires June 1st this year. I am over the mile by 18,000, the buyout is $10200. I can lease an Accord LX for $363, nothing down. They are willing to give me $7300 on trade (nothing wrong with car other than miles. I think the money factor is .00077, I am not sure if trading is the answer or should I buy the Civic? Any suggestions would be welcome.

ksd · February 2005

As I said in post #17360, I'm going to a dealer tomorrow...but I forgot to say that the dealer I quoted with the $359.00/mo, $2000.00 down was for a 39 month lease, NOT a 36 month lease. If the 39 month lease works out better for any of the 3 vehicles...let me know.

ksd

davidtalker · February 2005

I have a post here about leasing a new Accord LX or buy my current end of lease Accord SE. I have been at the dealer and have worked them down to a 36 mo. lease at $279 per mo. with nothing out of pocket but the 1st mo. payment. The standard LX lease is $219 a mo.$3000 out of pocket Meaning that the $363 figure is still high with excess mileage totals (.15) thrown in. Car man can help, but I think $350 per mo. max.

kisseshoney8 · February 2005

Hey Car Man, got a quick question. I am very much interested in leasing a new 2005 GMC Envoy. The sticker price is 29,210. Plus all of the incentives by GMC is around 5k. I have a trade in but it has a negative of $1888. The lease would be for 48months. They would be adding a sunroof making my payments around $429.52 is that a good deal for a new SUV?

dodgerman · February 2005

Car Man,

My local Acura dealer says that the lease rates are changing as of 3/1/05. Can you please provide me with the new money factors and residuals when they come out? They quoted me yesterday (2/27/05) a money factor of .00235 and a residual of 56% for a 42 month lease. For a 36 or 39 month lease, the money factor was .00275, quite a big mark up from what Honda Finance is offering. Of course, the salesman said he thought the new rates would be worse seeing how he wanted to commit right then. Surely that can't any worse, can they? I've already been told by another Acura salesman that their TL leasing has been slow, well, duh, with a money factor of .00275, I can see why! Thanks for your help.

jdl2 · February 2005

I'm leasing through Wells Fargo Auto Finance. I was thinking of terminating early last Dec 2004 and called Wells fargo for procedure. Long and short of it I just need to pay remaining balance then through their inspection then I'm done. This weekend I tried terminating but now they said that the car would go into auction and if it does not sell for residual value I have to pay the difference and this is new procedure and was activated this February. Is this legal? I read the contract and it did not state anything like that at all. have you heard of anything similar that has happened? Do you think I can fight this?

vbellino · February 2005

Car man - Thanks for the help. The dealer is telling me that I have to have had a previous car loan or lease with Infiniti or Nissan to qualify for the .00146 money factor. Do you know if that's true?

Thanks again.

noinoi00 · February 2005

I am leasing a 2003 Honda Civic, and am halfway through my lease (4 year lease, 2 years left). I only have 17500 miles on my Civic. From what I can tell, I owe about 4000 more on the Civic than it is probably worth in a trade in. (based on payments remaining and kbb trade in value).

My grandmother is moving in less than 30 days and has offered to sell my husband and I her car, a 2002 Beetle with only 9000 miles.

I will go through my paperwork tonight to find out about a lease-break penalty, but wanted to know if trying to purchase my grandmothers car was a good idea. Aside from the payments increasing, I am not sure if going to an older model vehicle is worth it.

ktkat · February 2005

I'm trying to find out what a good lease price would be on the new 2006 AWD version of the Lexus GS 300. Terms:
3 years
15,000 miles
zero down
car price: $37,500
Can you help me with this?
My other option is a 2006 infiniti G35. I currently own a 2001 Infiniti I30t (but loan is through a bank). Does Infiniti give any special lease rates to Infiniti owners?

corral · February 2005

Be very careful about mini and bmw of sf, they are very greedy with their finance packages. I reccomednd negotiating at the buy rate and locking the deal in by getting approved on the last day of feb, it the rates and residuals change then you are protected for 90 days. Good luck they love to hold you hostage and play with your emotions when the vehicle comes in. I ordered from bmw of sf the car came in i was approved for financing with no mark up and a money factor of .0010. The sales price was 2500 off msrp for an x5 4.4. The car came in the rate changed to .00140. After negotiating down to .0010 again they told me that my residualwent down by 2% and the payment would go up. When the contract was written the money facctor was .00140 and the residual was where it was suposed to be and not 2% less. When I refused to sign, they told me they were not a non profit orginazation. That I agreed to order this car and it was " bad karma" to no go through witht the lease as agreed. If I walekd away they would keep my $5000 deposit. I cancelled the check. They also claimed the car was hot and would sell in minutes. Long soty short it took over 3 months to see the car. I got the same car with more options for much less at a local dealer in less than 30 minutes negotiating time.

corral · February 2005

Ask wells to perform under your original cotract. If their policy changes they have to live up to the contract. If they don't look for an arbitration clasue. If it has one you have to arbitrate and ask they how to do that and speak with their executive offices about honoring their contracts as signed. If not hire leagal help.

andy2812 · February 2005

ktkat,

How and where were you able to get the new GS AWS for 37,500. The MSRP starts in the mid 40's for an AWS and was told that they were selling them at sticker for the first few months.

jack34 · February 2005

I leased a 2005 Nissan Altima from a Nissan dealer recently (2/15/05) for $356 per month for 3 years and then received a call from one of the managers over a week later (2/26/05) stating that Nissan would not approve a lease for me do to a bad credit rating. They had assured me at the time of the paper work being signed that I would be approved. They now want me to bring the car back and take a lesser model or buy the same model retail for $450 per month for 5 years. During this time period (2/19/05)the car was involved in a car accident and is currently at an auto body being repaired. My questions are as follows first how long did they legally have to contact me to rescind this deal? Second what about the $800 dollars I paid initially for taxes, first month payment etc... am I entitled to get that back if I just return the car to them? And third do I have to pay the $500 dollar deductible to fix the car I am be told I can no longer lease.

eoreos · February 2005

Hi,
Need some assistance. I was quoted a lease deal on an XLE with package #6 for $423 a month with 2K total due at signing (includes 1st month, etc with additional going to reduction).
Is this a good deal? The vehicle MSRP is $34,900, being offered at $30,998

jone345 · February 2005

Car_Man
Thank you very much for your help. You know I got this deal since Feb 2004 ( It was my first time ever to lease ). I founded this place too late. But,I am glad to know how things really work. I love this car lot and I am not driving that much maybe 6000 miles per years. At the end of the lease if I like to buy the car, could you advise how to negotiate the " Lease End" ? It is through Infiniti financial.

testykaren · February 2005

xc90 V8 with the following options -touring package, metallic paint, and the convenience package. I know that the residual on a thirty six month lease with 12k miles is 63%. And I am being told that the lowest price on the car is $1500 over invoice. What is the money factor that volvo has now, and what would the monthly payment workout to be with no money down and taxes rolled into the lease?

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hey prisch. Audi's current lease program is only scheduled to run through today, February 28th. I expect to have an idea of what its new March lease program is like in a few days. Please post a quick reminder in this discussion for me then and I will be more than happy to answer any questions that I have on the new A4's lease program.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Greetings Ron. You never mentioned the selling price of the truck that you are interested in leasing. This is a very important number for you as a consumer to know for two reasons. The first is the selling prices of leased vehicles are negotiable, just as if you were paying cash for them. Without this truck's selling price, it is difficult to tell how much of a discount you are being given on it. The second reason that one needs to know this number is that it is necessary to calculate a lease payment. I would be happy to give you my opinion of this deal if you let me know what the selling price of this Highlander is. Since Toyota's lease program varies by region, I also need you to tell me what state you are in. Its current lease program is only scheduled to run through February 28th. If you don't end up finalizing your deal by then, wait a few days to provide me with this information and I will work up a sample lease payment on this truck for you using Toyota's new March program.

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hi Mike L. The Porsche Boxster S certainly is a heck of a nice car. Unfortunately, leasing a Pre-Owned Boxster through Porsche Credit is not a very good deal. I normally do not keep tabs on manufacturers' used vehicle lease programs, but I was actually talking to someone about this very subject the other day. If you were to lease a 2002 Boxster S through Porsche Credit right now, you would have to use a base lease money factor of .00320. This is before the dealer that you are working with tries to mark-up Porsche Credit's base money factor to add additional back-end profit to your deal, as they frequently do. Furthermore, this factor is for consumers who qualify for Porsche Credit's top credit tier. Given your credit score, you probably qualify for a base lease money factor of .00465 at the lowest. This is equivalent to an interest rate of over 11%! If you really want an '02 Boxster S, you would be better off financing it through Porsche Credit or an independent bank.

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ktkat · February 2005

hey, andy2812 -
after i posted, i realized that my #'s were completely off! i was using an '05 number. the msrp on the '06 is $44,850.
i bet you are right that these cars will sell at sticker price because people have been clamoring for an AWD lexus sedan (esp. in the midwest).
sorry about that.

rxke · February 2005

HI CarMan

I am going to lease either a 2005 RL or a 2006 M35 AWD. What are the March money factors and residuals for both cars? I live in NY and drive 15,000 miles per year. I would lease either of these cars for 39 or 42 months. I have been quoted by an Acura dealer(Feb #s): 15k per year for 42 months a money factor of .00200 and a residual of 47%($699 per month for 42 months not includes sales tax or $657 per month for 48 months and a 45% residual. Does that sound right?

For Infinity(M35 AWD) I received a quote for residual of 59% for 39 months, a money factor of .00208(I questioned the money factor and they said they marked it up but would be flexible) and 15k per year($645 with the journey package and $670 with the journey package and the navigation). The car was priced at MSRP$46,160 with the journey pkg and $48,160 with the navigation.
I will get one of these cars with month.

Thanks for your help.

roncas · February 2005

Thanks CarMan. I'd like a 3 year lease at either 10k or 12k miles per year. Thanks for your help.

steevo · February 2005

Does that mean, for example, that the Tax, Aquisition fee or bank fee(if any) is rolled into the lease? For example, Toyota Financial has a 1050 aquisition fee in NY....Or does No money down mean NO MONEY towards the capitalized cost of the vehicle?

coby03 · February 2005

dodgerman,

That's what bugged me about my dealing with Acura. The finance guy played games and marked up the MF from 0.00235 to 0.00275. I have excellent credit and was going to pay the security deposit, so his motivation was pure profit. I don't have anything against making a profit, but when it causes my payment to go up more than $20/month on a 3 year lease, which ends up costing over $30/month more than a fully loaded BMW 330Ci (with an MSRP almost $10,000 higher than the TL), I walked. Funny things happen when dealing on cars!

jb_turner · February 2005

"I leased a 2005 Nissan Altima from a Nissan dealer recently (2/15/05) for $356 per month for 3 years and then received a call from one of the managers over a week later (2/26/05) stating that Nissan would not approve a lease for me do to a bad credit rating. They had assured me at the time of the paper work being signed that I would be approved. They now want me to bring the car back and take a lesser model or buy the same model retail for $450 per month for 5 years. During this time period (2/19/05)the car was involved in a car accident and is currently at an auto body being repaired. My questions are as follows first how long did they legally have to contact me to rescind this deal? Second what about the $800 dollars I paid initially for taxes, first month payment etc... am I entitled to get that back if I just return the car to them? And third do I have to pay the $500 dollar deductible to fix the car I am be told I can no longer lease."

It would seem as though you will have to eat the deductable. Keep us informed about the rest

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

You're very welcome, dblotner. Thank you for taking the time to come back and let us all know how everything turned out. Enjoy your new Saab!

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CarMan@Edmunds · February 2005

Hey sharkala. Nissan just introduced its lease program on the 2005 Xterra a few weeks ago. It certainly was a late intro for a 2005 model. I am surprised that it did not make the redesigned Xterra an '06 model. Anyhow, its February lease program for this truck expired today. I have not had an opportunity to take a look at its new March program yet, but expect to within the next couple of days. Please post a quick reminder in this discussion for me then and I will fill you in on what I have been able to find out about the new program.

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