Sorry for being MIA with the Round-Up. In order to save time, I will be skipping the usual commentary, but I will categorize the cars into different classes. Please read the GROUND RULES to get an idea of how the numbers are calculated.
This month’s participants include: Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Nissan, Acura, Hyundai, Infiniti, Honda, Lexus, Jeep, Volvo, Audi and BMW.
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Ground Rules
- Participating vehicles will be based on the lease rates gathered on this website during the corresponding month.
- 36-month/15k lease terms will used for all calculations unless a better term is available.
- A $1500 drive-off fee is assumed for all cars. Since fees and taxes vary from region to region, your drive-off may vary.
- Sale Price estimates will be based on Truecar.com sales data in the Southern California region, so your numbers may vary.
- All estimates assume you qualify for the base rate. A minimum Credit Score of 700
may be required to secure Top Tier credit in most cases.
- Sales taxes are not included since different states handle taxes differently.
- The rating system used is based on RIDE with G’s Lease Calculator. Only cars with a 90 rating or higher will be included on this list.
SEDAN
2011 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (106.1)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00003 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 Journey (103.4)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00058 base money factor
2011 Nissan Maxima SV (102.3)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00022 base money factor
2012 Nissan Altima 3.5SR (102.1)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00081 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37x (100.0)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00083 base money factor
2011 Volvo S80 3.2 (97.9)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 46% | .00001 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 Sport (96.2)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00058 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G25x (95.0)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00091 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G25 Journey (93.9)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00067 base money factor
2011 Volvo S80 T-6 (93.0)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 49% | .00001 base money factor
2011 Honda Accord EX (91.4)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor
2011 Honda Accord LX (91.2)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor
2011 MB C300 Sport 4matic (90.2)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00109 base money factor
2011 MB C300 Sport (90.0)
48 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00109 base money factor
CONVERTIBLE
2011 BMW Z4 3.5i (109.1)
24 month | 15k miles | residual 79% | .00190 base money factor
2011 BMW Z4 3.0i (106.1)
24 month | 15k miles | residual 77% | .00160 basemoney factor
2011 BMW Z4 3.5i (104.3)
24 month | 15k miles | residual 77% | .00175 base money factor
2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport (94.0)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00005 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 Sport (92.6)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .000146 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 (92.6)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .000146 base money factor
2011 Volvo C70 T-5 (90.3)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00001 base money factor
COUPE
2011 Infiniti G37x (103.3)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00086 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 Journey (102.7)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00076 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 Sport (101.7)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00076 base money factor
2011 Infiniti G37 IPL (96.6)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00076 base money factor
HATCHBACK/WAGON/SUV/CROSSOVER
2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL (96.4)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00003 base money factor
2011 Acura ZDX (95.4)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00085 base money factor
2011 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD (92.7)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00072 base money factor
2011 Infiniti FX35 AWD (92.7)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00076 base money factor
2011 Honda Pilot LX 4WD (92.5)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .000107 base money factor
2011 Honda CrossTour EX (92.2)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor
2011 Honda CR-V LX 4WD (91.9)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00078 base money factor
2011 VW Tiguan S 4motion (91.3)
36 month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00079 base money factor
Rare Sight. The Z4 takes top honors this month for being the highest rated lease. However, I caution you when dealing with BMW dealers. It is common practice for dealers to PAD the money factor. BMW also is known for those weird MACO/Training fees that I despise. It is your job to be informed and shop around. There are a lot of great incentives available for returning customers, so do not overlook them! With that in mind, BMW has done a great deal introducing the best lease this month. The number should remain through the month of August so plan accordingly.
Unusual American. I don’t remember the last time an American car made it on the list. What’s even more unusual is the fact that this car is coming from Chrysler. When is the last time you saw a good lease from Chrysler, right? Kudos to US Bank for making the Wrangler an attractive lease. Not sure I would want one since the ride is quite rough, but it should be a budget friendly ride for those looking for some fun under the sun.
The Only Swede That Matters. Sorry Saab, but for us regular folks, the only Swedish brand of any consequence is Volvo. The S80 and C70 are making strong leases this month with great rebates/discounts despite the crummy lease rates.
What Tsunami? While Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura are reeling from the earthquake/tsunami one-two punch, Nissan/Infiniti has been reaping the benefits of having a better supply of cars. This translates to PURE DOMINANCE by Nissan/Infiniti on this month’s Round-Up because they can discount cars a bit more and provide great lease program for them.
Hi,
I was hoping that you could possibly give me some advice regarding finding a lease. I have been following this site for a while and the numbers you post are super helpful each month, I’ve been doing the research and plugging all the numbers in but I’ve yet to find a great deal that fits my budget.
I’m in NY and I’m currently looking to spend $250 a month including taxes (6.25) and as little upfront as possible (as your site and the many other sites recommended.) I currently have a Honda Civic, I was hoping that I would be able to find a better car but it seems like I’m stuck in the Civic/Elantra class.
Josh
@josh. how much upfront where you looking to spend? Are you talking about just paying your inception fees (bank fee, dealer fee, 1st month payment and dmv) or are you talking about $0 drive-off? In order to keep payments within your range, you should at least expect to pay inception fees upfront. Somewhere around $1000-$1500 at most. If you do that, then you can shop for cars in the $16,000 to $23,000 range. I think the Accord LX sedan falls into that range and probably the Altima as well. Its a slight upgrade from the Civics/Elantras of the world. The Sonata isn’t a fantastic lease at the moment, but you might want to inquire about the entry-level GLS and see what you can get it for. Also, you can shave about $14 per month by reducing your miles per year from 15k to 12k. If you can get by with 10k a year (not recommended if you only have one car), you can bump that to $21 a month. Think entry-level mid-sized.
Hi.
Im looking for z4 35is. but there is no 2011 z4 in stock. if i factory order for 2012 z4 next month, i can get same lease rate as july?? thanks.
@phil. lease rates on the 2012 model will be different so I wouldn’t go and order a 2012 expecting 2011 numbers. It looks like the current promotion is geared towards liquidating remaining Z4 inventory. If you can find one, then you can take advantage of the awesome deal. If not, then I would sit tight until 2012 model lease rates emerge. BMW will allow you to lock in rates on factory orders, but the question right now is, what exactly are you locking in?
@G. Thanks for the advice, the 16-23 range sounds good. I think I’m going to try and go with the Elantra over the Accord, I feel like I can get more bang for my buck, when it comes to xtra features and especially MPG.
According to Edmunds the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Limited with Navigation has an MSRP of 23,305 and a True Market value of 22,462. Seeing as how Its below 23 and I only want 12,000 miles, do you think its realistic I can get the car for 250 with say a 1000 down. I’ve been calling and emailing dealers the past couple of days now with no luck, the shortage of cars hasn’t been helping the bargain shoppers.
Thanks for all the help.
Josh
@josh. no problem. keep me posted on what you end up getting! Hope you manage to get a good deal on the Elantra.
I appreciate your doing your calculator magic to show the best deals of the month.
Thank you, too, for giving the warning of padded lease rates — an excellent service to readers of this site.
(My Volvo dealer padded the money factor despite a verbal assurance to the contrary; every month when I make my payment, I am reminded of it. Shame on me for not checking the numbers; shame on them for lying.)
@mike. you’re welcome! I’m sure next lease will be better!
Thanks for these numbers. Armed with this info, I was able to lease a fully loaded (nav, sunroof, etc) 2011 Sentra SE-R Spec V for $290/mo (for 35 months) including taxes, zero paid at signing.