Lease advice
If leasing makes economical sense for you to do (i.e. you have a company and can write it off as an expense) DON'T put any money down. Doing this to reduce your monthly payment doesn't make sense. It's quite the same as you lighting that money on fire. You will never get it back. Not in the residual, not anywhere. Highly advise against it.
I'm also in negotiations to acquire a 2013 c63, and I was quoted (for lease) a little less than that with $0 down, but a trade in valued at $8k. Goes to show that these rates are non-negotiable.
My advice, finance @ 1.9% is better than lease at 3.6%....if of course, you're just a regular guy like me that cannot write a car off as a corporate expense.
Last edited by CashCanuck; Aug 14, 2012 at 04:16 PM.
The only thing usually set in stone as far as leasing is concerned is the residual and money factor (interest).
So do not mention the form of payment to the dealer when you are looking at a car. Tell them you are open to all forms of payment (cash/loan/lease). The only thing you are negotiating is the sale price. You do this with the sales guy. Once you have reached an agreement on the sale price, you can discuss the form of payment with the finance manager. Ask in advance what the residual/money factor is on the particular model/year car you are looking at, so you can calculate the lease payments yourself on a smartphone.
Long story short: Negotiate the selling price with the sales guy, Do NOT negotiate the payment.
You should be able to lease an Eor CLS AMG for $4k down and $1200 a month (just a guess)
The only thing usually set in stone as far as leasing is concerned is the residual and money factor (interest).
So do not mention the form of payment to the dealer when you are looking at a car. Tell them you are open to all forms of payment (cash/loan/lease). The only thing you are negotiating is the sale price. You do this with the sales guy. Once you have reached an agreement on the sale price, you can discuss the form of payment with the finance manager. Ask in advance what the residual/money factor is on the particular model/year car you are looking at, so you can calculate the lease payments yourself on a smartphone.
Long story short: Negotiate the selling price with the sales guy, Do NOT negotiate the payment.
@CashCanuck: Thanks for the tip too! It would be nice to claim a car payment as a corporate expense!



