Below are the specifics of a buy / lease opportunity for a 2009 e350. As you know there are some crazy deals for these cars right now. I am torn between leasing and buying. Can you give me some pointers / your viewpoint?

Thanks!

A couple of points (I can't tell if this is BS or not)
1) Dealer claims as a lease, I am liable for a finance charge against the whole car value (MSRP / not negotiated price) at a money factor = 3.96% APR
2) Lease APR = 3.9% for 36 months while a 36 month loan comes in at 1.9%. I know the MB wholesale cost of loan money to the dealer is 0.9% for 3 months. Is there a way I can get MB to lower the money factor? Dealer won't accept multipe security deposits
3) Residual at 3 yrs at 12k miles is 45%.
4) I think a 3yr loan would be hard to do for me. If I bought, I would probably do the 66month loan. Is this a bad idea?

Love the forum!

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Vehicle: 2009 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS E350W 4dr Sdn E350 Sport

PURCHASE OPTION

Selling Price: $33,951.00

Sales Tax (estimate): + $2,978.07
Tag/Registration Fees (estimate): + $447.00
Tire/Battery/MVWEA: + $8.75
Electronic Filing: + $29.00
Documentation Fee: + $55.00
Flat Add/County Fee: + $26.00
Balance Due (estimate): $37,494.82

No Trade-In
FINANCE OPTIONS
with Cash Down of $1000 $3000 $5000
36 months APR: 1.90 % pmt = 1045 988 931
48 months APR: 2.90 % pmt = 808 763 719
60 months APR: 2.90 % pmt = 655 620 584
66 months APR: 2.90 % pmt = 600 567 534

LEASE OPTIONS
Cash Due 36 months
12,000 Miles Money Factor 3.96%
with $1,000 down pmt = $440
$3,000 down $379
$5,000 down $318

 

Just curios what was msrp? I think the lease buy depends on how long you want to keep it. If you like a new car every 3 years then you cant beat that lease. However if you keep the car 5-10 years a buy would be much more benneficial.

 

The MSRP would be 55105 before TTL