2011-12 Honda Lease Rates – September 2011

Published 2011/09/16 by G

Honda numbers look decent for most remaining 2011 models. 2012 models still seem a bit expensive at the moment since the MF is quite high and the discounts are not very significant. If I where in the market for a Honda right now, I would look at the 2011 models first to see what remains and try to get the lowest sale price in town. Models I recommend looking into are the CR-V, Pilot and any remaining Accord.

Here is a sample calculation based on TrueCar’s Southern California sale price and do not include local taxes. Please note that your dealer calculations may vary due to local fees/taxes.

2011 HONDA PILOT 4WD LX
MSRP – $30,730
Sale Price – $26,721
Monthly – $316+ tax
RWG Rating – 94.7

For Dealer Quotes, Click Here.

2011 HONDA ACCORD COUPE LX-S AT
36 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00050 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN LX AT
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00050 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN EX AT
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00050 Base Rate

2012 HONDA CIVIC COUPE LX AT
36 Month – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2012 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN LX AT
36 Month – Residual 63% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ACCORD CROSSTOUR 2WD EX
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ACCORD CROSSTOUR 4WD EX-L
36 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA CR-V 4WD LX AT
36 Month – Residual 60% of MSRP – .00095 Base Rate

2011 HONDA CR-Z HATCHBACK AT
36 Month – Residual 61% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD LX AT
36 Month – Residual 59% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA FIT HATCHBACK AT
36 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011 HONDA ODYSSEY LX AT
36 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00155 Base Rate

2011 HONDA PILOT 4WD LX
36 Month – Residual 53% of MSRP – .00061 Base Rate

2011 HONDA RIDGELINE CREW CAB RT
36 Month – Residual 55% of MSRP – .00185 Base Rate

2011-2012 Honda Lease Rates – August 2011

Published 2011/08/04 by G

Consumer Reports smacked the crap out of the 2012 Honda Civic in their latest review (talk about PR nightmare). Justified or not, Honda needs to face the fact that their competition has improved dramatically. I have not driven the 2012 Civic yet, but based on the photos I have seen, I am unimpressed. I have seen the Fiesta, Elantra and Cruze in person and they look top notch. I think part of the problem with Honda is that they do not approach design the same way automakers such as BMW, Hyundai, Audi, Mazda and Nissan do (I know Acura does, but I also know that was a disaster. i.e. TL redesign). There doesn’t seem to be a design philosophy in place, which is why Hondas have become so bland over the years. Sure, you see a few concepts here and there, but I don’t really see many of those case-studies translating into production vehicles. I love Honda leases, but they really need to work on the design of their products a bit more. They also need to think twice about how they go about cost cutting. If they take the Toyota/VW route, I will probably never lease a Honda/Acura product again.

Anyway, for the month of August, I am still liking the Honda Pilot’s lease if you are looking for a large SUV. Last month, Ashwenm got a great deal on the Pilot EX. Since rates haven’t changed, expect about the same deal this month. Other notable leases are the CR-V and Accords.

Here is a sample calculation based on TrueCar’s Southern California sale price and do not include local taxes. Please note that your dealer calculations may vary due to local fees/taxes.

2011 HONDA PILOT 4WD LX
MSRP – $29,130
Sale Price – $25,509
Monthly – $308+ tax
RWG Rating – 92.9

For Dealer Quotes, Click Here.

2011 HONDA ACCORD COUPE LX-S AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00049 base money factor

2011 HONDA ACCORD CROSSTOUR 2WD EX
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor

2011 HONDA ACCORD CROSSTOUR 4WD EX-L
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00049 base money factor

2011 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor

2011 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN EX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00049 base money factor

2012 HONDA CIVIC COUPE LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 62% | .00185 base money factor

2012 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 64% | .00185 base money factor

2011 HONDA CR-V 4WD LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00078 base money factor

2011 HONDA CR-Z HATCHBACK AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00185 base money factor

2011 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00185 base money factor

2011 HONDA FIT HATCHBACK AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00200 base money factor

2011 HONDA ODYSSEY LX AT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 60% | .00144 base money factor

2011 HONDA PILOT 4WD LX
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00107 base money factor

2011 HONDA RIDGELINE CREW CAB RT
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00185 base money factor

Monthly Round-Up : July 2011

Published 2011/07/262011/07/26 by G

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.

For Dealer Quotes, Click Here.
To check your credit, go to CreditReport.com.

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.

2011-12 Honda Lease Rates – July 2011

Published 2011/07/08 by G

Honda dropped some of their money factors in response to depreciation. Some models did not suffer a drop in residual, but most did. Honda didn’t really adjust the sale price too dramatically in my area, hopefully they dropped their prices in yours. You can check out TrueCar to see your local sale prices.

This month, I would like to bring to your attention the Honda Pilot. In SoCal, it is getting about 12% off MSRP. The residual value is still fairly high and the money factor is reasonable at .00107 (2.57%). You may find it tough to find a LX 4WD model (I know I couldn’t back in April), but if you find one, you could be looking at a nice lease. The EX model should retain the same MF, but may suffer slight drop in residual value (I’m guessing about 2%). Be sure to adjust that in your calculations.