The girlfriend needs a car for a new job, 16 miles to and from the job (32 average per day.)

Now I know nothing about leasing cars, googled a little bit, and i'm starting to memorize the leasing "formula."

She wants something fuel efficient and small, so we're going to look at the mazda 3, mini cooper hard top, and honda civic (or maybe even the fit.) Any pointers for me? Negotiate the final price, not the payments, so forth?

 

hey man. does it have to be new? #1 suggestion/tip would be find a used mazda 3 or honda civic/fit; new cars are one of the worst investments you can make, and while leasing isn't really an investment, it's still kind of a "waste" of money. if you can find a used car that you're making payments to own, then you'd be "losing" less money.

if you're set on leasing and not owning, then it's all about the monthly payment, but keep in mind that mindset is a dealer's dream client. anyway, low interest rate is obviously a key, but it's pretty simple unless you trading in or wanting to put (or not put) money down.

the final price doesn't much matter if you're leasing. the buy-out price after the lease term does, but only IF you might buy it. can you give us more info? might you buy it? will a used car work? otherwise i'd shop around at dealers and just look for their "canned" deals like 'base civic 1.9% for 36 month lease xxxx due at signing' and compare that way.

 

Shes' going to drive 8000 miles/yr to work... you want a stupid lease payment for that? Why not just buy a USED, inexpensive car? Leasing is a big waste of one thing m-o-n-e-y! Leasing's for people who want to have a car they can't afford... but when they're done with the lease they've paid for a car they don't get to keep.

 

Honestly I did not think about a used car, but now that you mentioned it it does sound reasonable. Maybe a nice used mazda3 is in my area, i'll check out autotrader.

As for plan to buy at the end I do not know. We may not stay in this area in the near future, might even completely jump ship to another state or even country, so I think a lease (on a brand new car) would be the smartest choice until we decide to settle somewhere permanent for a awhile.

 

yeah, think about that. spin is right, BUT sometimes leasing IS a good choice if you (1) don't have money for a bigger downpayment usually required for buying, (2) always want cars within warranty, (3) get bored easily so always wanting a new car in 2-3 years, (4) future is uncertain and you just need a car for a low monthly payment (YOU).

it's typically not a good decision to lease, and you can probably find some good used mazda 3's, civics, and fits. but if you want to lease, lease...i'd just suggest doing it with the mindset that you want a low monthly payment on a car in warranty that you KNOW you are not going to buy-out. sure, leasing is a 'waste' of money to some people, but if you think about it as 'you spending x on a necessity' it's not really a waste...i mean you WILL get a use out of it.

similar to the renting apt vs buying house argument. sure leasing an apt is a waste of money as far as you pay thousands of dollars and "get nothing back when you move", BUT, if you don't have money for a downpayment or maintanence, or you like moving around a lot or are unsure if you will or won't move, leasing an apt makes complete sense...

i'd still look around for some used cars, but check local dealers too for good lease incentives.

 

try breaking a lease early vs selling a used car.

 

once u lease a car, you can always buy it. but u can't buy a car and then lease it.

 

the point is to try to plan ahead b/c you'll make out better if you know you want to buy beforehand and therefore negotiate the PURCHASE PRICE, regardless of what the monthly payment will be. whereas with a lease, who cares what the purchase price is...if you KNOW it's just a lease and you KNOW you won't buy it, all you care about is saving $5, $10, $50, $100 on the MONTHLY PAYMENT. big difference there in negotiating strategy.