Sonata

sonatamain

2011 Hyundai Lease Rates – November 2010

Published by G

logo_hyundaiMy Take: Numbers have changed on the Sonata this month. Hyundai has an awesome sales month in October so I am guessing they will be push hard to make November just as good. I’ll keep my eyes out on the Turbo and other numbers, so check back later.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00047 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00068 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00068 base money factor

2011 Genesis Sedan V6
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00115 base money factor

2011 Genesis Coupe 2.0
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00150 base money factor

FIND A HYUNDAI DEALER NEAR YOU

Hyundai Incentives from Edmunds.com

sonatamain

Replacing the G – Round Two

Published by G

I’m not quite sure how many rounds I will need in order to narrow the list down to my “top five” choices, but I can tell you that I have come much closer thanks in part to the 2010 OC Auto show and the test drives I have done so far. Here is an update of my “Wish List” along with some extra comments:

The Large SUV Group

  • Honda Pilot – This is barely making the cut right now.  Not overly impressed nor extremely disappointed.
  • Mazda CX-9 – It’s nice, it’s roomy and depending on the test drive, it could really be a contender.
  • Chevy Traverse – This car is relatively new, but it feels aged compared to Chevy’s newer offering. Even the GMC Acadia, which is practically the same SUV feels newer.
  • Toyota Highlander – Cheapness, is it’s weakness. Even a newly redesigned exterior can’t overcome the cheapness.
  • Ford Explorer – Much uglier in person, but I didn’t get to see the interior since they didn’t have a display model on the floor for people play with. Either way, I don’t think the lease will be attractive enough for it to warrant any consideration at this point. I may consider revisiting it down the road if an attractive lease pops up.

Overall, this group is starting to look really bad. I suspect the Pilot might get booted due to it’s styling and less-than-exciting interior, leaving the CX-9 as the top choice in this category.

The Compact SUV Group

  • Toyota RAV4 – Cost-cutting has really made this SUV hard to love. The hard plastics reeks of cheapness and the interior dash is uninspiring. Even if its inexpensive to lease, I don’t think I want one since Toyota’s lease program leaves much to be desired.
  • Ford Edge – This is a well-built SUV with a better-than-average interior. I haven’t seen any special leases on it, but it’s still early in the model year.
  • Infiniti EX35 – Test drove it a few weekends ago and my impression is that it’s a  solid crossover. It’s smooth over bumps, powerful, quiet and it drives like a G with higher ground clearance. There is also a lot of dealer cash on this car right now, which potentially knocks off a lot off the MSRP, making it a really good lease. Unfortunately I think it falls really short in two areas, cargo and MPG. It is still fairly practical since folding down the rear seats exposes quite a bit of cargo room, but I think of this car as a hatchback with poor MPG more than a true crossover.
  • VW Tiguan – Saw it at the show and I’ve driven it before; my folks also own one. Cargo wise its slightly better than the EX, but not by much. No Wolfsburg edition planned just for 2011 (yet) so my only choices would be the S and the SE trims.
  • Acura RDX – Test drove this as well and found it to be a serviceable crossover. I will not wow you, but it is all you should expect from Acura; Roomy and reliable with above average performance. The 4-banger turbo does not have a very noticeable lag which is impressive. Comes well-equipped, but it doesn’t have it all unless you go with the Tech. In my case, I can’t justify the cost. The exterior styling doesn’t really impress me much, but I think having an excellent lease program does.
  • Subaru Forester – I think it has a slight edge against the Outback. After looking at them side by side, I like it a little better.

If I had to guess, the Forester, Tiguan and the RDX will end up battling it in the payment department. I just don’t think Ford provides enough lease incentives to make the Edge a contender.

The Wagon Group

  • Audi A3 – I am a big fan of  TDI model, but I am willing to settle for a FrontTrak Premium. It’s driving dynamics shouldn’t be too different than my wife’s Jetta so I think it will end up coming down to a price war between the other finalists.
  • VW Jetta Sportwagen – Saw the TDI version at the show, love the Pano sunroof. Thankfully, it retains the nicer interior of the older Jettas, which is a plus. I did see the “new Jetta” and if you have seen “older” models, you will notice a difference. The interior materials haven’t been downgraded much, but the cabin certainly feels more “simplified”. The exterior styling isn’t too bad, but it feels more “vanilla” compared to the outgoing model.
  • VW Golf TDI – As nice as expected, looks like a more civilized version of the GTI and gets crazy gas mileage. Big fan, hopefully the lease rates will look good when the time comes.
  • VW GTI – I have to say, I am not a big fan of those cloth seats, but I love everything else.
  • Subaru Outback – I like it, but I have to admit that there are better cars. AWD certainly helps it’s case.

The Wagon group shows a lot more promise due to the more reasonable payments, practicality and fuel economy. My first choice would be the A3, but at this point any of these are a possibility.

The Sedan Group

  • Acura TSX – Acuras hold a special place in my heart, so this is a no brainer. I will likely opt for the Tech, but it all depends on the price.
  • Acura TL – Ditto on the TL. If a TSX with Tech were to be around the same as a TL base, I’d take the TL.
  • Hyundai Sonata – Saw the 2.0 Turbo and the Hybrid at the show, lovely inside and out. I got around to test drive the Limited model and I came away impressed. Quiet, smooth and with ample power. It’s no G37, but I didn’t expect it to be. Inexpensive, well-built and easy on the eyes. The closest thing to a win-win situation if there was one.
  • Infiniti G37 – I’ve been plagued with battery issues on my G37 this past year, with yesterday being the latest incident (I couldn’t get my car started for the 3rd time this year and I didn’t even leave any of my lights on). I think I will be skipping Infinitis this time around.
  • Nissan Maxima – Being the G37’s cousin dooms it’s chances. See above.

This is the “fall-back” category. I don’t think I would pick a sedan over the other categories due to my need for “room”. However, money talks and sedans have better lease programs than anything out there right now. The Sonata is a perennial favorite here, with the 2.0T being my top choice. My fall back would be the TSX, with the TL close behind.

civicroundup

Monthly Round-Up: October 2010

Published by G

This month is a very competitive month for leasing. Many of the great leases of the past few months have been pushed off the Top Ten due to heavy discounts on remaining inventory. Please read over the Ground Rules to get an idea as to how this estimates are calculated. I have also changed the format in order to provide a side-by-side comparison of the numbers using my lease calculator. Enjoy!

If you would like to support the website, please request your auto quotes from Yahoo! Autos. Thank you!

Ground Rules

  • Participating vehicles will be based on the lease rates gathered on this website during the corresponding month.
  • Ideally, 36-month/15k lease terms will be examined. If not available, other terms will be used.
  • 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‘s sales data in the Southern California region, so your numbers may vary.
  • All estimates assume you qualify for the base rate. A minimum FICO® Score of 700 may be required.
  • Sales taxes are not included since different states handle taxes differently. Please refer to “Understanding Sales Tax” to learn how taxes affect your monthly payments.
  • The rating system used is based on RIDE with G’s Lease Calculator. The closer you are to the 100 rating, the better the deal. Anything exceeding a 100 rating is phenomenal.

Top Ten Finalists

click to view chart

First – 2010 Honda Civic LX Coupe (114.9)

A combination of discounts and solid lease rates makes this a top-notch lease for those who seek to spend little on basic transportation. The Civic Sedan also made the list, but to prevent redundancy, I decided to just list the coupe and sedan together.

Second – 2011 Nissan Sentra S (108.7)

When cheap cars with height residuals and solid money factors get discounted, the end result is usually an excellent lease.

Third – 2010 Honda Accord CrossTour EX-L (108.4)

I’m not a bit fan of this crossover but I can’t deny how good of a lease it is. I love the concept though. The execution? not so much.

Fourth- 2010 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan (105.7)

Please note that the 2011 model is out, but not leasing as well yet. Once 2010 models have been moved, you should see 2011 models MFs drop.

Fifth- 2010 Honda Odyssey EX-L (101.9) x4

With four of the top five leases this month, Honda is really trying to move remaining inventory. I know most people love the new Odyssey, but don’t expect that one to go cheap any time soon. Instead, opt for the 2010 and save some green in your wallet.

Sixth – 2010 Infiniti EX35 Journey RWD (101.5)

A large amount of dealer cash available on this model is enabling dealers to cut prices extensively. 2010 models are still arriving in dealer lots, which is somewhat surprising considering it’s so late in the year. Nevertheless, this deal may not last long. The question is, do you really want one?

Seventh – 2010 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe Manual (101.2)

The top-pick for two of the last four months remains a strong lease. 2011 sedans are out, therefore I anticipate the 2011 coupes to arrive shortly. This probably means that this deal’s days are numbered. The G37 Sedan Manual is also a great lease right now in case you need two extra doors and a usable trunk. Stay away from the Journey ATs because they will cost you more.

Eighth- 2010 Lexus ES350 (100.8)

I wouldn’t be surprised if the ES had made the Round Up last month too. Lexus is providing lots of dealer cash on their 2010 left-overs, so don’t get discouraged by the high money factors, these cars still lease very well.

Ninth – 2010 Lexus IS250 (98.9)

Remaining IS250 inventory should make great leases right now due to the cash available on them. The 2011s are out though, so I expect Lexus to start winding down the cash and push purchases on whatever is left.

Tenth – 2010 Infiniti FX35 (97.9)

Like Lexus, Infiniti is also dropping tons of cash to move remaining inventory. If you had your eyes set on the FX all year long, this is not a bad month to move in on one.

Missing the Cut (90+ rating)

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 (97.6)
2010 Acura TSX (97.4)
2010 Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD (96.8)
2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4matic (95.6)
2010 Acura TL (94.4)
2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited (94.3)
2010 Lexus IS250 Convertible (92.4)
2011 Audi A3 2.0T Premium (91.5)

Parting Shots

If you are in the market for a 2010, this month is probably the best time to get one because availability should still be decent and the prices are very competitive. As we approach the end of the year, it may be more difficult to find a 2010 that fits your specifications since production of 2011s should be in full swing for most models.

genmain

2011 Hyundai Lease Rates – October 2010

Published by G

logo_hyundaiUpdate: Tucson and Genesis numbers added. Sonata Limited residual updated.

My Take: Numbers look like they have changed a little bit for the Sonata this month. MF got a bump, but so did the residual (which is odd but not unheard of). It is not uncommon to see residuals increase on occasion since the resale value of cars can go up depending on their popularity. The new rates did not change the payments much (less than $1 increase in the monthly payments) so the Sonata remains a good value.

FIND A HYUNDAI DEALER NEAR YOU

2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00047 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00068 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00068 base money factor

2011 Genesis Coupe 3.8
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00150 base money factor

2011 Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00150 base money factor

2011 Tucson Limited 4WD
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00230 base money factor

FIND A HYUNDAI DEALER NEAR YOU

Hyundai Incentives from Edmunds.com

g37main

Replacing the G – Round One

Published by G

I know I am jumping the gun by doing a write-up about my “next ride” considering I have another 10 months left on my lease. However, my wife has began dropping hints about what my next ride should be. “Something practical, something bigger…something that will keep your paws off my Jetta” she says.  Sadly, it looks like my G37 has become rather impractical and the wife has finally put me on notice.

I can’t say I blame her because in recent months, her car has become the designated “airport shuttle”. If that wasn’t bad enough, we have also been using her car to haul some furniture from Office Depot and weekly trips to Costco. Unfortunately, it seems that life has finally caught up with me and I can no longer ignore the other “needs” in life.

So now I am faced with a dilemma….what exactly can I get that will fulfill the following requirements…

  • seating for at least five people
  • practical cargo space
  • above average performance
  • similar or better MPG than the 18/24 I am getting now
  • costs no more than what I currently pay ($1300/$424 per month), preferably, less!

After careful consideration over the past month, I’ve come up with a general “Wish List” of potential cars/SUVs that may satisfy my needs.

The Large SUV Group

Honda Pilot
Mazda CX-9
Chevy Traverse
Toyota Highlander
Ford Explorer

The Compact SUV Group

Toyota RAV4
Ford Edge
Infiniti EX35
VW Tiguan
Acura RDX

The Wagon Group

Audi A3
VW Jetta Sportwagen
VW Golf TDI
VW GTI
Subaru Outback

The Sedan Group

Acura TSX
Acura TL
Hyundai Sonata
Infiniti G37
Nissan Maxima

For the next few months, I will take the time to do some test drives in order to narrow down the list some more. Keeping in mind the requirements listed above, I would love to hear your opinions and any recommendations you may have.

civicroundup

Monthly Round-Up: September 2010

Published by G

Welcome to this month’s Round-Up!

Towards the end of every month, I examine all of the lease data I have collected on this website and present you with the best lease deals of the month. This segment is meant for those who enjoy cutting last minute deals in order to get more competitive pricing. Therefore, this column is posted towards the last week of each month.

Here are some ground rules that I follow (these have been updated to reflect the new rating system):

  • Participating vehicles will be based on the lease rates gathered on this website during the corresponding month.
  • Ideally, 36-month/15k lease terms will be examined. If not available, other terms will be used.
  • 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‘s sales data in the Southern California region, so your numbers may vary.
  • All estimates assume you qualify for the base rate. A minimum FICO® Score of 700 may be required.
  • Sales taxes are not included since different states handle taxes differently. Please refer to “Understanding Sales Tax” to learn how taxes affect your monthly payments.
  • The rating system used is based on RIDE with G’s Lease Calculator. The closer you are to the 100 rating, the better the deal. Anything exceeding a 100 rating is phenomenal.

So wins this month’s Round-Up? Read on!

Tenth Place

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI
36-month | 15k miles | residual 57% | .00068 base money factor

MSRP – $28,089.00
SALE – $25,952.00
MONTHLY – $304.68

(91.2) The TDI’s lease rates are extremely attractive this month due to a lower-than-usual money factor. Throughout the year, VW Credit hasn’t really lowered the MF on their TDIs, so their leases were never low enough to warrant any attention. That is not the case this month. The trouble is availability, since we are nearing the end of the year, finding the right TDI at your local dealer may prove to be challenging.

Ninth Place

2011 BMW 328xi Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00125 base money factor

MSRP – $46,425.00
SALE – $43,180.00
MONTHLY – $502.17

(91.4) The 328xi makes it’s second consecutive trip to the TopTen Round-Up thanks to BMWFS keeping the residuals high and the MF low. The extra savings here is the lack of a security deposit, which will keep your drive-off costs lower than usual, making the lease attractive for those who love BMWs.

Eight Place

2011 Audi A3 2.0T Premium
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00035 base money factor

MSRP – $29,965.00
SALE – $27,524.00
MONTHLY – $322.16

(91.8) I think the A3 would have easily stayed on this list last month had I had the numbers for it then. I think AFS is trying to move the A3s because a newly-redesigned version is just around the corner. That’s good because I have the A3 on my watch list for next year, when I replace my G37. If the A3’s lease rates remain attractive through the 1st half of next year, I think I could easily get back into another Audi next year.

Seventh Place

2011 BMW 135i Convertible
36-month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00150 base money factor

MSRP – $48,400.00
SALE – $44,875.00
MONTHLY  – $512.58

(92.8) This was a surprise because BMWFS lowered the money factor on the 135s quite a bit. This is a great deal for lose looking for a fast and fun convertible. Sure, the payments look kind of high in this example, but keep in mind that this car is practically loaded. If you are looking for a more stripped down version, you should see payments drop below $500 a month. If I were in the market for another coupe, I would definitely consider this pocket-sized rocket, that’s how much I like this deal.

Sixth Place

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00050 base money factor

MSRP – $28,345.00
SALE – $25,574.00
MONTHLY – $290.19

(95.0) Hyundai’s Sonata Limited has stayed on this list for three-straight months! That’s quite a feat! What’s even more impressive is how you can probably get a fully-loaded Sonata with NAV for less than $400 a month with either your 1st month or nothing due at drive-off. That, to me, is a great deal. I also hear great things about the Sonata Turbo and Hybrid, so I can’t wait to see those lease rates once the cars begin arriving at dealer showrooms.

Fifth Place

2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan Sport Manual
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00089 base money factor

MSRP – $39,725.00
SALE – $35,049.00
MONTHLY  – $385.27

(98.8) If you are looking to get into the entry level luxury sedan segment, this car is probably the best one out there. However, you will need to know how to drive a manual because the Journey Sport (automatic) model sports a lower residual, which results in higher monthly payments.

Fourth Place

2010 Acura TSX
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00064 base money factor

MSRP – $30,170.00
SALE – $26,919.00
MONTHLY – $290.11

(99.5) If you don’t want to spend G37 money and are willing to sacrifice horsepower in exchange for lower payments and higher fuel efficiency, the TSX is for you. 2010s are probably pretty scarce nowadays, so there may not be a lot of choices. However, if you do find one, snag it because it’s one of the finest cars on the road and it’s backed by one of the best lease programs in the industry.

Third Place

2010 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe
36-month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00113 base money factor

MSRP – $44,275.00
SALE – $39,281.00
MONTHLY  – $415.83

(101.2) Whatever I said about the G37 Sport Sedan pretty much applies here too, except for coupes. The G37 Sport Coupe topped the last two month’s Round-Up list, but this month’s rate change has made the payments have jumped a bit. Despite this, it is still the best bang for the buck for cars in this segment. No luxury sport coupe can touch the G37 right now when you add all it’s features, performance and price. Eat that Car & Driver!

Second Place

2010 Nissan Maxima SV
39-month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00028 base money factor

MSRP – $37,500.00
SALE – $30,996.00
MONTHLY – $327.93

(106.2) The last couple of months, we saw the Maxima SV eat the G37 Sport Coupe’s dust in this competition. This month, the tables have turned. If you don’t mind driving a FWD, the Maxima is probably the more budget friendly deal compared the it’s cousin, the G37 Sedan. You pretty much get all the bells and whistles, but at a lower price point. Nissan has yanked the bigger cash rebate, but there seems to be a smaller one still around. Dealers are trying to move these cars because 2011s have started to arrive into dealerships, so now is the time to go test drive one of these.

FIRST PLACE

2010 Honda Civic Coupe LX
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00090 base money factor

MSRP – $18,955.00
SALE – $15,750.00
MONTHLY  – $156.18

(111.6) You don’t have to be a near-luxury car in order to be considered a great deal and win this Round-Up. Despite it’s low price tag, it seem Honda dealers are willing to discount the car. Sure, its plain vanilla, but it does get great gas mileage and it’s an excellent commuter car; cheap, reliable and efficient.

Notable Absentees

The following vehicles’ were ranked in the Top Ten Round-Up last month but due to the lack of lease rates this month, their deals could not be confirmed.

Parting Shots

Notable models that barely missed the cut include the 2011 BMW 328, 2010 VW Tiguan S and the 2011 Honda CR-Z. The CR-Z has a high MF, but with it’s super-high residual and some minor discounts off MSRP, this lease can still be attractive. I recommend trying to knock down about 5% off the sticker price if you are interested in leasing this fun-looking hybrid, that should make for a reasonable lease that you won’t lose sleep over.

There is still plenty of time to take advantage of these deals, so I encourage you to contact your local dealer. If you don’t know your nearest dealer, you can request quotes using this link.

Got comments? questions? Disagree with my analysis? Please chime in with your thoughts on what you think this month’s Top Ten should be.

sonatamain

2010-11 Hyundai Lease Rates – September 2010

Published by G

logo_hyundaiMy Take: Sonata lease rates continue to look good, as a matter of fact, they look the same as last month. The Genesis looks decent, with the 2011 sedan looking much better than the couple right now. Of course, being a 2010, the coupe could get more substantial discounts to offset the higher MF.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8
36-month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00180 base money factor

2010 Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
36-month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00180 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8L
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00132 base money factor

2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 4.6L
36-month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00142 base money factor

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

Hyundai Incentives from Edmunds.com

g37roundup

Monthly Round-Up: August 2010

Published by G

Hey everyone! Welcome back to this month’s Round-Up!!! For those who are new to the site, here is a quick explanation of what this Round-Up is all about:

Towards the end of every month, I examine the Top Ten leases based on the information I have collected. This segment is meant for those who enjoy cutting last minute deals in order to get more competitive pricing. Therefore, this column is posted towards the last week of each month.

FYI, according to TrueCar’s “TrueTrends Report”, the best time to get a car is 9/2/2010. Truecar projects approximately 11.23% discount off MSRP on average. I can’t really disagree with that prediction because August deals can still be had in the first few days of a new month, making early Septermber the real “end-of-the-month”. Mid-month, is probably the worst time to negotiate on a car, so please take note of that as you plan when to go in for negotiations.

Here are some ground rules that I follow:

  1. Participating vehicles will be based on the lease rates gathered on this website throughout the corresponding month (and limited to a maximum price of $50,000). I encourage you to share the information you’ve gathered during your research so we can make The Round-Up more complete each month.
  2. Only 36-month/15k lease terms will be examined since it’s the ideal lease term.
  3. A $1650 drive-off fee will be assumed for all cars. Remember, this is ONLY an estimate, the drive-off could be lower or higher depending on the car.
  4. Estimates will be based on the Southern California region using Truecar.com data, so your numbers may vary.
  5. All estimates assume you qualify for the base rate. A minimum FICO® Score of 700 may be required.
  6. Sales taxes not included in order to keep things simple. Please refer to “Understanding Sales Tax” to learn how taxes affect your monthly payments.
  7. The rating system used is based on my Lease Calculator, which assumes that 1.09 or a monthly payment of 1.09% off the MSRP (or less) is a GREAT lease deal.

HERE IS THIS MONTH’S ROUND-UP!

2010 Infiniti G37 Sports Coupe
36-month | 15k miles | residual 63% | .00131 base money factor

MSRP $44,595
Sale Price $39,500
Monthly $405 + tax

(0.91) Like last month, the G37 Sport Coupe (manual) is the top lease deal thanks to the $1000 loyalty/conquest rebate, excellent lease rates and aggressive pricing. The rebate helps shave  over $30 bucks per month or cover a good chunk of that inception fee. If this ride is a bit too impractical for you, consider the G37 sedan or the Nissan Maxima SV.

2010 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00112 base money factor

MSRP $31,790
Sale Price $26,630
Monthly $323 + tax

(0.93) This doesn’t surprise me at all because Nissan is having a HUGE sales event, which is just as insane as VW’s if not more. Imagine a fully loaded Altima V6 sedan for around the mid-$300s after taxes (with inception fees due at signing). If you do a $0 drive-off, you’d be paying around the low $400s…still FULLY LOADED! Now that’s a pretty sweet deal. The coupe’s numbers are not as good so it didn’t make the list. However, it can still be a pretty good deal if you play your cards right.

2010 Nissan Maxima SV
36-month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00047 base money factor

MSRP $37,500
Sale Price $31,296.00
Monthly $351 + tax

(0.94) The Maxima SV is still a great deal this month. Not so much because of the residual/mf combination (because they are only so-so), but because of the massive discounts you can get for that car. Fully loaded model getting over $6000 off the MSRP is insane any way you look at it. If a G37 sedan fully loaded its a bit too pricey for you, it’s “uglier” cousin just might do the trick.

2010 Volkswagen Routan SEL w/RSE and NAV
36-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00007 base money factor

MSRP $39,400
Sale Price $30,671
Monthly $384 + tax

(0.97) Big families rejoice! If you are shopping for a minivan with the works, the Routan may be for you. Assuming TruCar is not screwing with me on the “sale price”, you can knock off almost $9000 off the MSRP, making this a fantastic deal! This actually makes the residual tolerable and can even qualify this van under the “Lease-To-Buy” category! If you managed to get this deal from your local VW dealer, please come back with your comments because I am interested in seeing how you pulled it off or not. If this is still a bit beyond your budget, try the SE trim.

2010 Infiniti Journey G37 Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00107 base money factor

MSRP $40,065
Sale Price $35,300
Monthly $387 + tax

(0.97) If the coupe doesn’t work for you, opt for the sedan. If you don’t know how to drive a “stick”, learn. If you don’t want to learn, expect to pay more for the Journey or Journey Sport model. Their residuals are lower, so the deal isn’t as good.

2010 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00121 base money factor

MSRP $27,580
Sale Price $22,800
Monthly $279 + tax

(1.01) There should still be a decent selection of Accords out there (saw a ton at my local dealer off the freeway last night). I’m not a huge fan of the exterior, but the interior deserves a lot of credit. I’m just glad Honda didn’t cheapen their interiors like Toyota has been doing with their cars.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta S | Limited Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00002 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00016 base money factor

MSRP $24,652
Sale Price $21,581
Monthly $250 + tax

(1.02) Some of the Jettas are great deals right now due to the low money factors and decent residual values. Unfortunately, availability could be an issue in some areas since VW is in “clearance” mode right now. The SE trim priced itself out of the “Great Deal” category due to a higher money factor. It is still a good deal, just not a “Great one”. The Limited edition model also makes the cut as a “Great Deal”, scoring a 1.08 on the rating system.

2010 Acura TSX
36-month | 15k miles | residual 58% | .00100 base money factor

MSRP $30170
Sale Price $27,500
Monthly $322 + tax

(1.07) Availability may be a little bit more of an issue with the TSX. The 2011 should be rolling into dealerships sometime later this year, so what’s left of the 2010 is pretty much it. I’ve driven the 2010 TSX V6 (which isn’t as good of a deal) and came away impressed with the handling, power and it’s well-appointed interior. The lease payments are a bit higher, but still cheaper than my G37. Overall, this is a very looking sedan with plenty of power for day-to-day driving.

2011 BMW 328i Sedan | 2011 BMW 328xi Sedan
36-month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00130 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 61% | .00125 base money factor

MSRP $40,925
Sale Price $38,000
Monthly $440 + tax

(1.08) Making the list (barely) for the first time is the BMW 328. BMWFS is offering “No Security” deposit requirement for the month of August plus their money factors are significantly lower than previous months. For this particular model, I decided to pick the 328xi sedan trim (because its more of an all-season/all region type vehicle than the RWD model) to calculate sample payments. Remember, the deal still requires a sale price close to what’s posted. It shouldn’t be impossible since the dealer is still making money off the deal at that price point.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
36-month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00050 base money factor

MSRP $28,200
Sale Price $26,000
Monthly $304 + tax

(1.08) Making the Round-Up for a second consecutive month is the Sonata. I think it looks like a solid deal for those looking to get into a well-equipped sedan. I would probably go with an Accord if you are looking for more refinement, but at this price, the Sonata is still a bargain. The Limited trim probably offers the best value, but if you are on a restricted budget the other trims will do too.  If you are willing to wait, a Hybrid and 4cyl turbo model should roll out some time next year.

Parting Shots

I was going to add the Impreza 2.5i into the list as well, but I was a bit skeptical of the lease rates for a 2010 model (63%/.00140). That seemed a bit high to me. However, if it were true, that would make it a pretty good deal, almost as good as the Jetta S.

I am also a bit bummed out that I couldn’t get the 2010 numbers for Audis this month. I was interested in knowing whether the A3 could still stay on the list. I guess we’ll never know.

I have again left out Toyotas this month, but not for quality reasons. Instead, I left out Toyotas because their lease rates are regional and they residualize their car’s options differently, making it a pain to calculate lease payments. Toyota does have a sales event going on right now with very attractive lease programs, so I recommend check them out if you can get past their recent “quality” issues.

Lastly, I would have liked to see MBZ work a bit harder on their financing. They are great cars and I don’t see anything wrong with getting them to be more “accessible” to the public. It’s not like they aren’t hurting for sales.

Got comments? questions? Disagree with my analysis? Please chime in with your thoughts on what you think this month’s Top Ten should be.