Fletcher Jones Newport Beach
Been offered a too good to be true lease deal on a new 2011 GLK 350 (and we all know what that means). Sales guy will not give me any numbers over the phone or email so it makes me very skeptical. Claims he cannot reveal any numbers via email or phone due to agreement with MB and it must be done in person. I have no problem walking in and then walking away if they pull something shady but just do not want to waste driving 60 miles (one way) to find out.
I usually deal with local MB dealer but their stock (and all other local dealers) is very low and they have been very unresponsive as well.
He is claiming a ZERO down (zero cap cost and fees) and he claims monthly payment will in the $450 ballpark which seems way to low to me. Even at a fleet rate this seems way too low.
Anyone have any recent interaction with their Internet sales team?
I would tell him you are writing down his name and everything he says (record it?) and will come down, but the second he deviates from his offer you will walk and file a complaint with the BBB and MB USA.
If he still wants you to come in then go for it.
The dealers almost always charge for taxes, paperwork, title, registration, and other fees, which would also be part of the down payment.
The first month lease payment is also often required in the down payment.
If he won't give you any numbers over the phone, how do you know it is a great deal? Just curious...
Also, have you been waiting for a good deal to get a GLK, or is your interest piqued by the good deal? If you have been dreaming of one for a while, it might be worth the 60 minute drive to find out. (How far is that in the LA area? 0.5 miles?
)I would be very skeptical. If he is willing to drop his shorts, find out why.
On my 2009 C300 Sport (18" AMG and iPod kit) I paid ZERO out of pocket for 48\15k lease and payment is $499 per month.
The drive is 60 miles... not 60 minutes.
The dealers almost always charge for taxes, paperwork, title, registration, and other fees, which would also be part of the down payment.
The first month lease payment is also often required in the down payment.
If he won't give you any numbers over the phone, how do you know it is a great deal? Just curious...
Also, have you been waiting for a good deal to get a GLK, or is your interest piqued by the good deal? If you have been dreaming of one for a while, it might be worth the 60 minute drive to find out. (How far is that in the LA area? 0.5 miles?
)I would be very skeptical. If he is willing to drop his shorts, find out why.
There are numerous "no drive-off" leases where all you do is sign the paperwork and away you go; no payment of any kind required.
You cannot just turn in a leased car early; the lease is a closed-end contract, just like a car loan, and you are liable for the full value of the contract.
As for depreciation, this is what the lease payment covers. The residual value when you turn the car in is what remains of the car's value after depreciation.
Wear and tear is included in depreciation, although you may be billed for excessive W&T at lease termination.
Taxes on a lease are charged for each payment, not the whole thing up front like a purchase. This is one of the biggest advantages of a lease; substantailly less sales tax.
Leases offer many advantages over a pourchase although they are not for everyone. More importantly, an unscrupulous dealer can screw you over if you are not careful, regardless of a lease or purchase.

it may be all over. Is there that much difference that you want a new one or is it more curiosity
Do not waste your time to drive to dealer after dealer hunting for deals. This is 21st century, they can do it over phone/internet. There are always other dealers to choose from. You may fair better with small town dealers (Riverside/West Covina/Long Beach ...ect.) who need more business.
If dealer can not be straight with you on the phone/email, would they be when you come in their showrooms?
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Again... too good to be true then it always is. Almost curious to go to FJ just to see what they have to say but I know he is lying when he claims he can get a 2011 GLK for $450 per month with ZERO out of pocket. He would have to sell me a GLK at $4-5k below invoice to get that payment on a 48\15k lease. Just not sure I want to waste time and drive 120 miles (round trip) to find out he is a liar.
Local dealer has offered GLK at invoice ($38800) and payment will be $630 (including tax) with only the first payment out of pocket. Another dealer in Orange County (not FJ) said they could not beat it.
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Seemed like a good deal to me. I did have EAB (executive allowance bonus) discount. That is similar to a fleet discount.
But I would tend to agree - if it sounds too good to be true... And it looks like you have done the math.
However, you really should never make a cap cost reduction on a lease. If something happens to the car before the end of the lease term (i.e., it's totaled) waive goodbye to however much you put down.
Actually that varies by state. Some states do in fact charge sales tax upfront on the full purchase price of the car.
Bottom line is the car has a certain amount of cost and it must be paid one way or another.
Leases have one more caveat: because the payments are lower than a purchase there is more room for the dealer to pad the payment without the customer realizing it.
I can't see any dealership eating that $4500 down, though, especially on a 2011.
Last edited by rmfnla; Sep 1, 2010 at 12:20 PM.



