coconut1

Here's the situation. Lease 4 years at 0 down OR buy and finance for 4 years with 10k trade down. Both have the same monthly nut…around $900.

I understand many pros and cons, but the question is: will I still want to drive this car after 4 years? If I buy, am I looking at mucho $ervice and maintenance after 4 years?

Anyone care to offer an opinion?

Cosmos black, 19" black spokes, pano, just about everything they offer but couldn't get carbon fiber.

Munich77

If leasing costs the same as buying and you have no other reason to lease, you might come out ahead buying. After 4 years the car should be worth more than 10K so you will be able to make more than your down payment back.

coconut1

Thanks. Kinda what I thought. Didn't know if I was missing something. Car arrives in about 15 days.

zibby43

Unless it is damaged (accident, etc.). Then, the risk of diminished value is on the buyer. With the lease, the diminished value will get pinned on the dealer, who has to take back the repaired car regardless.

bmoney12

I usually lease but it didn't make sense with the ****ty rates on the CLA45. I ended up doing 100% financing for 72 month at 2.5%. A 36 month lease would have been more expensive and a 48 month would have been only a few bucks cheaper. Not worth it in my opinion.

jonnyrt

Its personal preference…I purchased my car, no financing or leasing. AMG cars hold their value above regular Mercedes. I personally like owning my vehicles, if there is an accident and car is written off (like my last Benz), insurance cuts me a clean cheque for a brand new equivalent…no ifs, ands or buts!

coconut1

Appreciate all the input. I have decided to buy. Makes the most sense. Now only 10 days away til delivery. Just need a good snow melt here in Chicago. What a freakin winter this year.

jonnyrt

Good choice.

Terrible winter, tell me about it! Has been one of the worst winters up here in Canada…I am just thankful I held onto my winter beater so I could park my new 45 in a heated garage! Come on spring!

zibby43

AMG cars depreciate faster than almost any other car out there. Same thing with M cars (except the 1M, which was an extremely limited production run).

That said, if buying is your preference there is nothing wrong with that. It's your money.

jonnyrt

I disagree, at least in my market AMG cars hold their value, as do M cars…people here would pay more for a 5 year old C63 AMG than a 5 year old regular C class

bmoney12

I traded my 2012 in with 23,000 miles after 2 years and got 48K for it with an original MSRP of 71K so I'd say that's not great depreciation.

stevenross

The reason why the cla45 doesn't lease out well compared to another car in the same price range is because it doesn't hold it's value. Sorry guys. If it was worth something in the end you would pay less today.

bmoney12

In my opinion the lease residual isn't bad...it's the Money Factor(equivalent to 5.4%) that is driving the lease payment up. Couple that with slim discounts and buying seems the way to go. Of course that could all change in 6 months.

robnyc

Good seeing some inputs here, i'm in the same situation.
Going to sell my C300 11' 4matic w/ 10k miles privately hopefully i get 25k and debating on whether leasing or buying CLA