05.14.08

Buying or Leasing a Car? How to Avoid Car Dealer Rip-Offs

Posted in General, General Leasing, Car Leasing, Buying versus Leasing at 2:39 pm by LeasingRus

car dealerThe only thing drivers despise more than rising fuel costs? Shrewd car dealers.

They are among the country’s least-trusted business providers. The 2007 Better Business Bureau/Gallup Trust in Business Index reported that only 16% of survey respondents had a “great deal of trust” or “quite a lot of trust” in auto dealers; 17% indicated as much for real estate brokers and 21% for cellphone and wireless providers.

What’s behind this suspicion? Consumers have complained to the Better Business Bureau that some dealers inflate charges, pressure buyers into purchasing features Read the rest of this entry »

12.18.07

Should I Buy or Lease a Car in 2008?

Posted in General, Car Leasing, Buying versus Leasing, Financing, Auto lease at 8:29 pm by LeasingRus

Sure, approximately 80 percent of auto consumers either pay cash or finance their purchase with a loan, but you’re considering joining the other one-fifth of intrepid consumers willing to forgo ownership for a new set of wheels and the short-term benefits that leasing provides.

Buy or Lease?Maybe you’re self-employed and can write off your leasing payment as a business expense. Or maybe you’re trying to get into a luxury model for less upfront cash. Or maybe you demand the latest safety and technology innovations and don’t want to be saddled with a 60-month loan term. Or maybe you just like driving a new car every couple years.

“The question you have to ask yourself is, ‘Is there a special reason I need a new car every few years?’” says Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Ore. “For most consumers, the answer is no.”

But maybe you’re in the minority. Maybe your answer is yes.

It’s true that leasing has diminished in popularity as automakers have offered low-interest financing and cash-back offers to buyers. Leasing rates dropped from 29.2 percent of retail car sales in January 2001 to 23.2 percent in February 2006. Read the rest of this entry »

10.31.07

Top 10 Things to Never Say to a Dealer

Posted in General, General Leasing, Car Leasing, Buying versus Leasing at 12:29 pm by LeasingRus

The dealership experience can be extremely stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. You could know everything there is to know about the cars you’re considering, but that’s only a fraction of the buying process. If you want that seductive new sedan at a good price, you’re probably going to need to know what to say — and more importantly, what not to say.

Car DealerSome people loathe the whole car-buying experience simply because they anticipate getting conned. A few hundred dollars isn’t a big deal on the price of a luxury car, but it’s the idea of smart shopping and that sense of getting a good deal that’s especially important. For luxury car buyers — notoriously labeled the shrewd shoppers — a good deal is icing on the cake.

“The educated consumer is the one who will drive away with the best deal and the best experience,” says Rob Gentile, director of car-buying products at Consumer Reports.

To help you take the driver’s seat in the buying experience, first learn to play the game, and you might even end up doing some smooth talking of your own.

Ready, Set, Go!

1. “I’m ready to buy now.”

This is an admission of weakness and an invitation for the dealer to throw out a price that’s slightly below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) to see if you’ll take the bait. It shows that you’re too eager and willing to consider an offer, and it also gives salespeople the advantage by allowing them to talk you up as opposed to you talking them down. But by adding some very precise parameters, you’ll sound confident and strong from the start. Read the rest of this entry »

02.01.07

Car Leasing in 2007?

Posted in General, Car Leasing, Buying versus Leasing, Auto lease termination at 7:55 pm by LeasingRus

Considering to get into a car lease this year? With all the new models on the market, there’s a large selection to choose from. Though before you quickly jump into the decision to lease a car this year, consider the options between auto leasing versus buying a new car.

Which is the better approach - to lease a car or buy a car? The notorious debate. Whether to buy a car lease get into a car lease, the decision comes down to your own personal financial preference. Is ownership important to you, or maybe not. Maybe you prefer to drive the latest model, but can’t afford to buy it out right. Possibly, having lower monthly payments is the biggest win for you. Whatever your reason is will dictate the financing option you should take with your new vehicle. And yes, if you do opt to lease a car, your financial or personal situation may change throughout the year(s) and you may decide to get out of your lease. You can return your leased vehicle and trade it in towards the purchase of a new car - or yet another auto lease, or pay the lease contract out and any penalties associated. Alternatively, maybe your situation involves getting out of driving a leased vehicle all together - such as the need to free up the money for that new house, or tuition for university. Whatever the case, some leasing companies do provided you the option to swap a lease to someone wiling to take over the remainder of the lease agreement. This is commonly known as lease assumption and is offered through lease assumption services as AutoLeaseBreakers.com, AutoLeaseBusters.com, Swap a Lease and Lease Trader. Learn more about assuming a used lease, or how to terminate a car lease.

Compare the difference between leasing vs. buying from both a financial perspective, and obligation perspective.

08.02.06

Auto Leasing - More Fee’s for Returning the Lease

Posted in General Leasing, Car Leasing, Buying versus Leasing, Financing, Auto lease swap, Car lease swap at 4:48 pm by LeasingRus

All auto leasing individuals should know that leasing a new car gives you a lower monthly payment than buying that car.
But buyer beware: Make sure you know about all the fees you might have to pay at the end of the lease, that’s if you opt to ride out to the end of your auto lease, or decide to auto lease swap.
Some consumers would be shocked at what they would have to pay if they turned in their auto lease to the dealer or leasing company early - known as auto lease termination. Even though you may have taken good car of the vehicle, returning a car lease early can be a costly experience. As outlined in all lease agreements, the disposition fee can be costly, and doesn’t cover any of the wear and tear you place on your vehicle throughout your lease term. The wear and tear fees alone can run past triple the amount of your disposition fee, and can be quite a sticker shock. This may include any dents, cracked windshields or dings, scratches, etc. So while you think the disposition fee on your auto lease was pricey, ensure you understand what the additional costs would be on the wear and tear.

Do your research a year or two before the end of the auto lease, as you may find an option to break your car lease through an auto lease swap; whereby finding another consumer to transfer the auto lease too and will assume the lease payments and contract.

Whlie auto leasing has its advantages over buying a car, ensure you understand fully the costs associated to the lease agreement upon returning the vehicle. FInd out what you’ll be charged for returning the auto lease early, and at the end of the lease when you terminate the auto lease. Find out the additional costs on wear and tear if you can, or what’s considered normal wear and tear on the vehicle.

Remember, before you opt to auto lease as your preferred form of financing that vehicle, ensure you understand the full scope of the pros and cons of leasing. Download the two ebooks available to consumers to help you make a better and informed descision. 1. 2006 Auto Leasing for Consumers  and 2. Auto Lease Swap - How to Get Out of an Auto Lease Early

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