Author: G

August 2008 Lease Rate for 08 Subaru Legacy

Published by G

My Take: Last rates I have for the month are for the Legacy. I actually like this sedan quite a bit. I was shopping around for it back in May of 07, but they had finished production on them and the dealer didn’t have any of them left.
Don’t let the low MF fool you though, the residual is real low here, not to mention the price tag on this car is relatively high (mid-$30k). This is an expensive lease, so avoid it. Subaru makes very good cars, but I’m surprised their estimated residual is so low. If they were a good 10% higher, this would make for a pretty good lease. Specially for folks in rainy and snowy states.

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2008 Subaru Legacy Sedan GT Spec B w/VDC/Nav
24 Month – Residual 55% of MSRP – .00120 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 45% of MSRP – .00105 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

August 2008 Lease Rates for 08 Toyota Highlander

Published by G

My Take: Ever wanted to know how much the Highlander Hybrid costs to lease? Lets find out! Just make sure you don’t get your hopes up. The residual is so-so and the MF is on the higher end of things here, not exactly the best combination out there. Seems to me that what you save on gas, compared to the non-hybrid models, you make up in higher payments.

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  • Highlander Limited Hybrid 4WD
  • MSRP $43,835
  • Invoice $39,028
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid 4WD
24 Month – Residual 63% of MSRP – .00255 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00255 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $645 at invoice, $858 at MSRP
36mo Payment: $586 at invoice, $732 at MSRP

You don’t want any lease longer than 36-month since the warranty is only up to 3 yrs. The numbers look “okay”. Certainly not motivating me to run out and get one since you probably won’t get much of a discount since this IS a hybrid.

In contrast…

  • Highlander Sport 4WD
  • MSRP $38,240
  • Invoice $33,554
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4WD
24 Month – Residual 57% of MSRP – .00166 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00166 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $582 at invoice, $785 at MSRP
36mo Payment: $488 at invoice, $626 at MSRP

We’re looking at about $100 bucks per month more on the Hybrid over 36 months. That’s $3600 over the course of 3 yrs. On average, the Hybrid gets about 7 miles more than the non-hybrid version. Meaning, if you drive 12k miles per year, you consumer 462 gallons on a hybrid and 631 gallons on a non-hybrid. Assuming gas prices are at $5 per gallon (I know they aren’t, but this is just to anticipate any price changes for the next year or so), that’s $845 more per year on the non-hybrid. However, you are paying $1200 more per year on the hybrid, making it about $355 more per year.

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

GM Employee Pricing For EVERYONE!

Published by G

By now you have probably seen the commercials. This program ends Sept 2nd 30th.  It is a good time to buy a GM vehicle. They aren’t all crappy cars…REALLY! It’s like picking apples, we know apples can be good, just make sure you don’t pick one with a worm in it.  GM is serious about pushing sales right now (they must be hurting real bad this quarter) because they are having a clearance on EVERYTHING that’s a 2008 ! YUP! you can get a hefty 10k off MSRP on the Corvette, yes, even the Z06. Some 2009 models are included, like the Cobalt and the Caddy CTS, HRR and Vibe (Toyota Matrix’s American relative). Looks like they aren’t holding back this time.

Click here to see available models and how much they are being discounted.

This is probably one of those few times when I’ll be pitching an American car, so at least take the time to check it out. I don’t recommend all GMs obviously, but in that list, there are a few cars I would personally like to have in my garage. Here’s a short list…

  • Caddy CTS
  • Chevy Corvette
  • Pontiac G8 GT
  • Saturn Sky Red Line (which happens to have an additional $500 bucks back)
  • Pontiac Solstice GXP ($500 bucks back too on top of the employee discount)
  • GMC Acadia ($1500 cash back + employee pricing)
  • Chevy Malibu

There are more cars on my list, but I am tired of listing them since they are re-badged versions of these same cars.

Now the questions is, does employee pricing + cashback work with leases? That I don’t know. Maybe a dealer might be kind enough to share some of that insight?

August 2008 Lease Rate for 09 Honda Pilot

Published by G

My Take: The 2009 Honda Pilot isn’t exactly the best lease right now. However, the residual is high enough to help counter the high MF. Calling this month’s rates a “deal” would be a stretch, though. I’m not a big fan of the current generation Pilot. It’s just soooo ugly. I’m a very “design conscious” person and the 09 is not doing it for me in that department.

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  • Pilot 4WD LX
  • MSRP $29,865
  • Invoice $27,112
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD LX
24 Month – Residual 65% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 56% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $419 at invoice, $540 at MSRP
36mo Payment: $381 at invoice, $464 at MSRP

No options to be had here. TMV suggests the Pilot goes for about $100 over MSRP. Really? LOL. If that’s the case, no thanks. Keep in mind that the LX model is bone stock too. That’s why its this cheap. I suspect the EX & Touring models’ monthly payments will in the $500 due to the higher price tags and lower residuals.

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD EX
24 Month – Residual 65% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 56% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD EX-L
24 Month – Residual 62% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD EX-L w/ RES
24 Month – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 53% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring w/Nav
24 Month – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 51% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

2009 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring w/Nav/Res
24 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00212 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

August 2008 Lease Rate for 08 Volvo S40/V50

Published by G

My Take: Ford wasn’t kidding when they said they would make leases more expensive from now on. Look at the MF?!? Now look at the residual!!! My questions is “WHY BOTHER?” seriously. Leasecompare.com has better rates through their 3rd party banks if you plan on leasing a Volvo. It is still VERY expensive, however, if you are a Volvo fan, chances are you will accept nothing but a Volvo. Personally, I go with what my wallet tells me I can afford. $500+ a month on a S40 OR IS250/328i/G37/A4. The choice is obvious.

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2008 Volvo S40 2.4i Automatic
24 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 32% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 2.4i Automatic with Sunroof
24 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 32% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 2.4i Manual
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 38% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 2.4i Manual with Sunroof
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 38% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 T5
24 Month – Residual 49% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 T5 AWD
24 Month – Residual 49% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 T5 with Sunroof
24 Month – Residual 49% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo S40 T5 with Sunroof AWD
24 Month – Residual 49% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 2.4i Wagon
24 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 2.4i Wagon with Sunroof
24 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 31% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 T5 Wagon
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 T5 Wagon AWD
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 T5 Wagon with Sunroof
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

2008 Volvo V50 T5 Wagon with Sunroof AWD
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00436 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00406 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 30% of MSRP – .00378 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

August 2008 Lease Rate for 08 Honda Civic EX

Published by G

My Take: I’m not going to bother estimating payments on the Civic EX coupe. The rates are not very attractive this month so lease at your own discretion. It is obvious that Honda is taking advantage of those who are switching over the fuel-sippers. If you are one of those people, I feel for you.

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2008 Honda Civic Coupe EX – 8/13/08
24 Month – Residual 69% of MSRP – .00370 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 57% of MSRP – .00270 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 47% of MSRP – .00255 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 36% of MSRP – .00270 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

August 2008 Lease Rate for 08 VW Jetta

Published by G

My Take: The Jetta leases are looking pretty decent this month. I know I’m posting this a bit late this month, but these rates should last through the end of the month, so you have just shy of one week’s time to jump on this. Thanks to Jake for noticing my “error” here. I did not change the residual to 59% from 68% when calculating the 36mo lease. After some quick calculation, I’ve noticed that the lease deal is a bit on the “expensive” side. Granted, when compared to say, a Honda Civic EX Coupe, this is still pretty decent.

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  • Jetta Wolfsburg
  • MSRP $23,075
  • Invoice $21,830
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Manual
24 Month – Residual 68% of MSRP – .00142 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00142 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00181 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $309 at invoice, $363 at MSRP
36mo Payment: $278 at invoice, $315at MSRP

Wow, cheap. $224 a month + tax and just a tad over $1000 due at signing . Pretty good deal if you ask me. The Jetta is actually a bigger car than most people think. Fairly well appointed too. Typo here, the cheapest payment here is more like $278. Not TERRIBLE since its the Worlfsburg edition. Since you are leasing, you won’t have to worry too much about “reliability” because you will be covered under the warranty until lease-end.  I think the other Jettas (except the GLI) should hover around this range too (possibly less for the SE). If you are looking for a Jetta, this is certainly a good month to get into one. Not as great of a deal as I originally thought. To make up for my “mistake”, I’ll calculate the SE model’s payment range, hoping to uncover a decent deal here…

  • Jetta 2.5 SE Manual
  • MSRP $20,500
  • Invoice $19,389
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE Manual
24 Month – Residual 64% of MSRP – .00081 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 55% of MSRP – .00081 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00130 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $287 at invoice, $335at MSRP
36mo Payment: $250 at invoice, $282 MSRP

Certainly cheaper here, but not exactly a “deal” I guess I could live with sub $300 payments on a Jetta.  Go with the 12k mile lease and watch your payments drop another $10 bucks or so. Bummer, I got all excited about the cheaper Jetta leases…too bad I goofed. Go with the GTI, you’ll probably have more fun with that car.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Automatic
24 Month – Residual 68% of MSRP – .00142 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00142 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00181 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com

August 2008 Lease Rate for 08/09 Infiniti FX35

Published by G

My Take: There are some incentives and rebates available on the FX35 right now. You can see the list here The MF and Residual could be better though. A TMV price of $46,749 doesn’t seem to take the incentives into consideration, so it maybe be possible to shave $4000 off the MSRP and the loyalty cash. Definitely wouldn’t hurt to ask. Don’t bother leasing the ’08s, way too expensive.

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  • FX35 2WD Wagon + Premium + Tech
  • MSRP $47,065
  • Invoice $43,230
  • Standard inception fees + tax not included
  • Residuals posted are for 15K miles/year.

2009 Infiniti FX35 2WD Wagon
24 Month – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 41% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 34% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate

24mo Payment: $752 at invoice, $919 at MSRP
36mo Payment: $683 at invoice, $798 at MSRP

I think if you are able to dip below invoice (say a $1000 or so), the payments should improve dramatically. I still think its a bit too expensive to lease right now, with the MF being around 4.9% APR. With all the low interest financing options floating around, why pay 4.9%? Doesn’t make any sense.

2009 Infiniti FX35 AWD Wagon
24 Month – Residual 62% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 51% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 42% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 35% of MSRP – .00204 Base Rate

2008 Infiniti FX35 2WD
24 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 47% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 33% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate

2008 Infiniti FX35 AWD
24 Month – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 49% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 33% of MSRP – .00260 Base Rate

Rates provided by Tarry Shebesta from Leasecompare.com