My Take: Wow, the Sonata is getting a nice MF despite the drop in residuals right now. I’m a bit concerned about the quick drop in residuals. This is a 2011 model, so unless we start seeing the 2012 model early next year, you would be looking at under-50% residuals by the first quarter of 2012. If that’s the case, I just don’t see how much lower the MF can get to keep this ride cheap to lease. Of course, Hyundai could introduce some cash incentives to help offset the drops in residual this holiday season, but that remains to be seen. Either way, not a bad time to get a Sonata if you are in the market for one.
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2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00050 base money factor
2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00010 base money factor
2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00050 base money factor
My Take: Dropping some quick Mazda numbers for all interested parties. Now, based on Edmunds, there is a $500 loyalty cash and $1000 dealer cash that’s available on the CX-9. Notice that you can’t use the $1000 if you use Mazda Capital Services, BUT if you lease through another bank, you should be able to get it without any problems (of course that means giving up the $500 loyalty cash). Remember to read the fine print folks! Also, this is the last week of the month, so it’s probably a good idea to send out your online quote requests soon. Better yet, request a quote online AND give your nearest dealer a call and ask to speak with the Internet/Fleet sales manager. That cuts through a large chunk of the B.S. you are bound to encounter when leasing a car.
My Take: It’s too bad that the only Subaru numbers floating around the web right now are those of the Forester. Nothing against the car itself, but I was looking forward to see some numbers for the WRX and the Legacy. We still have a week left for the month of July, so not all hope is lost. For those hunting down Subaru numbers, try requesting a quote from your local if you don’t see them posted. I don’t have all numbers all the time, but I do welcome any information you may find so that I can share it with the rest of the world.
Update! Found the Maxima numbers! They look alright! The MF is quite low and the residual is still acceptable. Check out the incentives page to see if there is any cash on the Maxima. These past couple months, this car has been leasing extremely well for a lot of folks, so it’s definitely worth a look if you are considering a top-of-the-line Accord, Camry or even a TSX or TL. If you are even remotely considering the Maxima this month, I would recommend contacting a dealer now since end of the month is near.
My Take: Residuals took a dive this month compared to the last. The good news is that the MFs also dropped, maintaining the payments at around the same ballpark. Please note that the HS250h is currently not available for lease/purchase due to recalls. That could change in the near future, but as for now, stay away from that model. For more Lexus recall information, check out this 
My Take: Sorry for the lack of VW numbers so far. Tthings have been very quiet as of late, so numbers are hard to come by. In any case, CC and GTI are pretty good leases right now. Folks seem to be getting hefty discounts on the CC in particular. I personally like the CC. It’s very stylish and priced competitively with cars around the same size/price range. I recommend the DSG model. For those who have never tried VWs DSG, I can only say one thing….AWESOME. The shifting is quick , responsive and smooth, it may not be as involved or engaging as a manual transmission, but it is still a hoot to drive.
Update: Accords got a dropped across the board in residual value by about 2% compared to June. The money factor also dropped to compensate. I believe there is some cash available to help lower the payments further. Solid ride, duarable, plenty of space. I wouldn’t get one, but that’s a personal thing. I find Accords don’t fit my “fun-to-drive, great to look at” requirement. It does fit the “great lease program, practical” requirement though.
My Take: Cadillac’s purchase financing is 0% APR for up to 72 months (for well-qualified buyers), which beats the heck out of any lease program they may have right now. If you are considering a luxury sedan you want to own, the CTS may not be a bad idea. Caddy’s have come a long way and the CTS in particular, it’s in a class of it’s own. Priced like an entry level luxury compact sedan, but it’s more like a mid-sized one.