39mo/15k – money factor .00276 – residual 52%
My Take: OMG! I really think Audi is just trying to shake every single penny out of our pockets. Sure, it’s not half as bad as what Mercedes Benz is doing, but still. The A5/S5 is gorgeous, but man! I couldn’t justify it personally.
If you are in the market for a gas guzzling, rugged, American-built Ford F-Series pickup, you are in luck. Ford is offering “Employee Pricing” for all until the end of June. [Read Article on Edmunds.com]
The logic behind the move is obvious, the F-Series is outdated and they are trying to clear room for the newly design 09 models. But that’s all! With gas around $4+ a gallon, no one really buys a truck unless they need one. So this “best-selling” truck has become the truck that no one really wants. Oh the cooler Harley-Davidson and and chassis-cab models are not available at Employee Price. Hurray for Ford!
Kudos to B for bring this story to my attention. I thank you for all your past, present and future contributions 🙂
36mo/12k – residual 65% – money factor .00245
My Take: It really baffles me how a car company can “inflate” their residual values. 65% after 36 months? That’s insane. I could be wrong, but I don’t even think the Mini holds value THAT well. Anyway, can you really lease this thing right about now? Nope. Personally, I would wait for the diesel version to arrive in the US. Better MPG, more torque, same plush interior. Makes you wonder why they even bother introducing the gasoline version at all. The 09 TSX is fully redesign as you all know. Comes very nicely appointed and it’s an excellent entry-level luxury sports sedan. The new design has a elegant/techie flair to it and I think it really looks awesome in black because it’s offset very well by the chrome trims. Sweet ride.
36mo/15k – money factor .00235 – residual 66%
My Take: If you missed out on the lease support back in April then you are pretty much out of luck. The official word is that the MF has jumped to Honda’s “awesome” standard rate, which means you’ll be paying WAY MORE than back in April. There is a $1000 cash incentive (maybe $1500, not 100% sure) floating around, but highly doubt that will do much for you. The 2008 models have ended production and the 2009 models are out and fully redesigned, so this move isn’t exactly unexpected. Inventory on the ’08s is probably limited at this point, so if you are looking for one (specially a manual), it won’t be easy. As for the car, it is a very solid machine, well equipped and has a very smooth ride. The handsfree system isn’t very good and the engine could use more torque, but I can’t complain about the gas mileage. I was averaging 26 MPG on mixed driving. Contrary to popular belief, this car does NOT NEED Premium gas, it is actually optional.
2008 Infiniti G35 Journey Sedan
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 70% of MSRP – .00126 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 60% of MSRP – .00150 Base Rate
2008 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 69% of MSRP – .00126 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00150 Base Rate
2008 Infiniti G35 X Sedan
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 71% of MSRP – .00131 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00150 Base Rate
2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 74% of MSRP – .00184 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 63% of MSRP – .00192 Base Rate
39 Month/15k miles/yr – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00190 Base Rate
2008 Infiniti G37 Journey Coupe
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 72% of MSRP – .00184 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 62% of MSRP – .00192 Base Rate
2008 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe
24 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 74% of MSRP – .00184 Base Rate
36 Month/12k miles/yr – Residual 63% of MSRP – .00192 Base Rate
You should be able to estimate the residuals for the G35/G37 journey and sport (+/- 1% or 2%) by looking at the other numbers posted.
My Take: As you probably noticed, the rates are exactly the same as in May. This offer is good until June 30th. After that, who knows. I can’t say the rates are THE BEST ones for the year. They could be better, then again, they could be worse. Expect a drop of 1-2% in the residual in July/August, but I’m pretty sure IFS will lower the MF to compensate for the loss in residual value. Whether that will yield better numbers than May/June, NO CLUE. Just know that the later you lease, the lower the residual. As you all know, if you can afford the gas prices, this car is FUN to own. I’m personally having a blast with it. Although, $4.29+ per gallon really sucks…specially since this car has a 20 gallon tank. That’s $80 bucks to fill…for now. :S
First off, sorry for the delay, totally forgot to post this a few weeks ago. These rates may very well still be applicable since its the only the beginning of June. I’ll do my best to keep up in the future. I just got carried away this month since I was too busy cutting a deal on my own car 😛
Lexus IS250
36mo/12k – money factor .00135 – residual 56%
36mo/15k – money factor .00135 – residual 54%
Lexus IS250 AWD
24mo/15k – money factor .00135 – residual 60%
36mo/15k – money factor .00135 – residual 54%
Lexus IS350
36mo/12k – money factor .00185 – residual 54%
My Take: The IS is a VERY nice car at all levels (Quality, fit, finish, style). The one flaw I can’t get over is the fact that their entry level IS250 is way underpowered for the price tag. Sure, performance isn’t everything, but at low 30ks, the car is pretty “bare”. If I had to pick between my base G37 and the base IS250…well, you already know what I picked so no point asking that question. 😛 The money factor is pretty low right now, but the residual for 36mo is pretty bad for a Lexus. I was expecting more in the high 50% range for a 12k mile lease. It is a Lexus after all. If had gone with Lexus at all, I would have opted for the IS350. Problem is, that car doesn’t lease too well. I think a G35/G37 similarly equipped would run a bit lower.
Sure, the 2010 Nissan 370z is still at least 1 year away from reaching out shores. However, if you love cars, like me, you probably already know what this means for those who can’t afford a GT-R. For those who don’t know (or care), there are two things to note regarding the new Z.
First, it is pretty much official that the new Z will carry my G37’s 3.7-liter V6 (hence the name change from 350Z to 370Z). This matters because the engine is already pretty quick for the G37 which is a HEAVY car for a coupe. Imagine losing 2 rear seats, going shorter and wider and losing hundreds of pounds in the process? Yes! The Z will be leaner, lighter and more muscular than the current model. Nissan might effectively steal away Mazda’s “Zoom Zoom” slogan if they keep producing cars like this.
Second, the rumor is that the GT-R’s yummy dual-clutch transmission will trickle down to the Z. 7-speed folks! SEVEN! The G37 can go 0-60 is about 5.5 sec (i think). Imagine what a lighter 7-speed dual-clutch transmission will do for the 370Z!!! Sure this is probably the most impractical vehicle around, but you wouldn’t get this as your daily driver anyway.
Styling-wise, I think it needs a little work…I don’t like the headlights…reminds me of the ugly Maxima. I am willing to overlook that if they deliver on the dual-clutch transmission though.
By now, most of you have probably heard about the Chrysler’s “Let’s Refuel America” program, were they lock-in the price of gas at $2.99 for 3 years if you purchase or lease a Chrysler vehicle. The concept is not bad, specially with out gas prices going up 10 to 20 cents a week. Even with a 708 gallon per year cap, the deal is still not terrible. Here in lies the problem, Chrysler is not know to lease cars for low MF and their vehicles have poor residual values. So if you think about it, the “savings” you get from the “Let’s Refuel America” program are pretty meaningless. Certainly, this deal only works for people who pay cash for their cars or get that 0% financing or get hefty cash incentives. But then, you’ll have to BUY the car. For us lesses, its pretty much pointless and borderline “scammy”.
For more information on the “Let’s Refuel America” program, CLICK HERE.