Tag Archives: lease buyout

What to Do When Your Vehicle Lease Ends

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My car lease is almost up, now what?

This is a common question when nearing the end of an auto lease. In most cases, you have three options:

1. Walk away from the lease.

Walking away from a lease may cost you in disposition or termination fees, mileage charges, and additional costs for wear and tear.

2. Trade the vehicle in.

Most times, you don’t have to trade the vehicle in to the dealership that leased you the vehicle. This may help you avoid those end-of-lease fees that may be associated with walking away from the lease.

3. Purchase the vehicle.

This will also help you sidestep the disposition and other end-of-lease fees. You’ll have the first option to purchase the vehicle. If you don’t purchase it, the dealership gets the next opportunity and the leasing company after that.

First Steps as You Near the End of Your Lease

Before you make a decision, look up the residual value and true value of your vehicle. The residual value is the amount you can purchase the vehicle for at the end of your lease. This number is essentially set in stone.

The next number is the true value. This is what a dealership would intend to pay for your currently leased vehicle. You can choose to research this number through online websites like Kelly Blue Book or NADA, however these platforms will only provide estimates. The official true value can only be found by inquiring what a dealership would pay for your vehicle today.

Should I Buy?

The steps above will indicate two things: What you would have to pay to purchase your vehicle, and what equity your vehicle still has. Once you know these numbers, you can consider whether purchasing the car is right for you.

Purchasing your leased vehicle is a good idea if:

  • Your car has excessive wear and tear. This means when you go to trade in the vehicle or walk away from the lease, you’ll be charged additional fees for fixing any damages. If you purchase the vehicle, you can choose to pay to fix those items when it’s convenient for you and your budget.
  • You’re way over—or under, on mileage. If you’re way over, you’ll owe a hefty charge for trading your car in. If you’re under your allotted miles, you’ll likely have equity in your vehicle’s value versus what you would purchase it for.
  • You love your car! Yes, sometimes the numbers don’t have to match perfectly. You may be exactly at your mileage allotment, and you still want to keep the car you’ve had for the past few years. This might be a great option too, and we’re happy to help you do so (and potentially save some money on monthly car payments) with our Lease Buyout Program.*

Need help deciding which option is best for you? Our Loan Department is happy to talk through your decision with you, and help you get the best possible deal. Get started by calling 732.312.1500, Option 4 or apply for our lease buyout loan online or fill out our quick online inquiry form and a representative will contact you.

For more information, check out our previous blog post: Reasons Buying Out Your Lease Makes Good Financial Sense

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Not all applicants will qualify, subject to credit approval. Additional terms & conditions may apply. Actual rate may vary based on credit worthiness and term. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a First Financial auto loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. See credit union for details. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan. Federally insured by NCUA.

 

The Pros and Cons of Buying Out Your Car Lease

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If you leased your car and really enjoy driving it, it’s tempting to consider buying it when the lease ends. Keeping your car has advantages and disadvantages you should consider before you sign on the dotted line.

Advantages of Buying Your Leased Car

There are a few reasons to buy your car:

  • Unlike another used car, you know this vehicle’s history. You are the only one who has owned it, so you are aware of past accidents and maintenance.
  • In theory, you have already paid for the depreciation of this vehicle as part of your lease. Purchasing it may be more cost effective than leasing a new one.
  • After you’ve paid off your car, you’ll own the vehicle.
  • If you love your car, this option allows you to continue driving it after your lease is up.

Disadvantages of Buying Your Leased Car

A few reasons this might not be the best choice for you:

  • You have limited room to negotiate on the price of the vehicle and may not get as good a deal as you would on another used car.
  • You may have to pay a lease purchase option fee if your contract specifies it. This fee can be a few hundred dollars, depending on the terms of your lease.
  • The cost to buy out the lease may be more than your car is actually worth.

Deciding If You Should Buy Out Your Lease

Like any major financial decision, it’s important to think carefully about buying your leased vehicle. Follow this process to help you make the choice that’s right for you.

1. Find the Residual Value in Your Lease Agreement

When you lease a car, you are paying the car company for the predicted depreciation of that vehicle. Your monthly lease payment includes this depreciation and a fee that goes to the leasing company and covers administrative costs. At the end of your lease, you will have paid the car down to its “residual value.” This residual value is the car company’s prediction about what the car will be worth at the end of your lease term, and it’s usually the starting point for price negotiations when you buy out your lease.

According to Bankrate, car companies are generally accurate when predicting residual value. However, knowing this residual value is an essential part of deciding whether to buy out your lease. Look for the residual value in your original lease contract.

2. Learn the Market Value of Your Car

Now that you know the residual value, you need to compare that figure to your car’s market value. There are several sites that can help you find used car values. Simply input your car’s make, model, and year and provide additional information about mileage and condition. Be sure to specify that you want the market value, rather than a trade-in estimate. It’s a good idea to get value estimates from multiple sources so you have an accurate idea of how much your car is worth.

3. Compare the Market and Residual Values

If the car company was correct in its prediction, your car’s residual value will be very close to its market value. However, there’s sometimes a significant difference in these two numbers. This comparison can help you decide whether to buy your car.

  • If the residual value is greater than the market value, your car is not worth as much money as it would cost to buy out your lease. Unless you love your car, you should walk away.
  • If the residual value is less than the market value, buying out your lease may represent a great deal. You should consider this option.
  • If the residual value and market value are fairly similar, you’ll need to take other factors into account when making your decision.

4. Take Other Factors into Consideration

Now that you have a pretty good idea of the financial situation regarding your lease buyout, you’ll need to consider a few more things:

  • Factor in the purchase option fee if there is one. Check your lease agreement to see if you have this fee and how much it will add to the cost of your car.
  • Think about the condition of your vehicle. Have you maintained it regularly? Has it been in any accidents? If it isn’t in great condition, you may be better off shopping around.
  • Consider reliability. Have you had any trouble with the car? Does it have a good reputation? When buying any used car, reliability is a very important factor.
  • Think about mileage. Have you gone over the mileage limits in your lease? If you have, this may reduce the market value of your car without changing the residual value. In addition, you’ll need to pay the fees specified in your lease for going over the mileage limits.
  • Figure out the average annual cost to own your car. This figure will change as the car ages, and if you’re comparing a lease buyout with a new lease, it will be important information for you to consider.
  • Give some thought to the emotional aspects of the decision. Do you really love your current car? If so, you may be willing to pay slightly more than market value for the privilege of continuing to drive it.

5. Do the Math

Finally, sit down with a car payment calculator and figure out exactly how much you’ll need to pay each month if you buyout your lease. Talk to your local credit union to see if they can help you find the best interest rate on a car loan or lease buyout loan. Think about the purchase option fee, the residual value, your down payment, and your interest rate. Compare this figure to leasing a new car or buying a different used vehicle.

Examples to Consider:

Each situation is unique, and it’s important to go through the process of making this important decision for yourself. However, it can help to consider examples of situations where a lease buyout is clearly a good idea or a bad idea.

Highly Desirable Car

Some cars are especially in demand due to factors the car company didn’t predict. For instance, if gas prices go up and your car is extremely fuel efficient, it may be worth more money as a used vehicle. This means the market value for your car will be extra high compared to the residual value, and buying out this lease is a good idea.

Vehicle With Low Miles

Perhaps you have a car you didn’t drive often. You were allowed 36,000 miles as part of your three-year lease, but you only drove 10,000 miles. The residual value for this car was based on it being driven 36,000 miles, but a car with low mileage like this may be worth considerably more than its residual value. Provided all other factors are in agreement, buying out this lease would be a great decision.

Car Prone to Break-Downs

Generally, your car will be under warranty during the lease period, which means that if it breaks down, you don’t have to pay for major repairs. However, once the lease period ends, your factory warranty may too. If the car has been breaking down while it’s still fairly new, it’s likely to cost you a great deal of money in future repairs. Even if the residual value is lower than the market value, buying this car is probably a bad choice.

Make the Best Choice for Your Situation

Deciding whether you should buyout your car lease involves doing your research and carefully examining your lease contract. If you give appropriate thought to this decision, do the math, and take emotional factors into account, you’ll make a choice that is financially and practically best for your unique situation.

Article Source: Kate Miller-Wilson for cars.lovetoknow.com

5 Reasons Buying Out Your Lease Makes Good Sense

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With the end of your auto lease just around the corner, you’ve got some decisions to make. But before you start stressing about your current mileage or scratches on the bumper, you may want to think about buying out your lease. Would it make more sense to keep your car instead of turning it back in like you originally planned? In many cases, yes.

There are numerous benefits to buying out your lease—but first, a word of caution: Traditionally, dealerships have taken a hands-off approach to the buyout process, allowing consumers to deal directly with the corporate finance department or the leasing company. However, optional insurance and warranty products have given dealers an opportunity to increase their profits by facilitating the buyout process and including add-ons. These extras can come with a steep markup, making the final price more expensive than it should be.

Before agreeing to any buyout terms, it’s important to remember a credit union can routinely offer lease buyouts with lower rates and convenient payment terms. It’s worth your time—and potentially a lot of money—to get details on the financing options available.

Still wondering whether a lease buyout is right for you? Here are five points to consider:

  • Ownership has its advantages.
    Let’s be honest—the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about mileage overages and wear-and-tear penalties is a big deal. When you own the car outright, you no longer have to feel that growing sense of dread commonly associated with the end of a lease term.
  • Car shopping is a hassle.
    You’ve already gone through the frustrating highs and lows of car shopping. Why do it again? You probably selected your car after a thorough process of weighing pros and cons. If it was the right car for you then, there’s a good chance it’s still the right car for you now.
  • Better the used car you know (than the used car you don’t).
    This may seem obvious, but you’re already familiar with your car. If you had to start shopping for a different used car, there would be questions about how the previous owner cared for it. If you buy out your lease, you ARE the car’s previous owner. There are no unanswered questions about the car’s maintenance history or other people’s driving habits.
  • No more guessing games.
    At their core, auto leases are all about variables. A car’s market value ebbs and flows based on supply and demand. Lease rates may be higher the next time you come to the end of a term. By opting for lease buyout loan, you can lock in a great interest rate and a convenient payment plan for the life of your loan.
  • You have more leverage than you realize.
    Have you ever thought about what happens when you turn your car back in at the end of your lease? The leasing company is left with a used car, and they’re not in the used car sales business. In many instances, they would rather negotiate a good buyout price with you than go through the trouble of selling the car at auction or to a dealer.

Ready to look into a lease buyout?

You can fill out an online application here, learn more on our website, or call the Loan Department at 732.312.1500, Option 4.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Not all applicants will qualify, subject to credit approval. Additional terms & conditions may apply. Actual rate may vary based on credit worthiness and term. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a First Financial auto loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. See credit union for details. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan. Federally insured by NCUA