[gsmooth75]

So, after more than a year of going back and forth between what car to buy/lease I finally have made my decision...

$2300 down
$399/mo + tax 39 Mos 12K mile lease
Approx: $14,500 residual.

I'm not worrying about the miles since I won't be peanlized if I decide to buy the car at the end of the lease. It's a sweet ride and I've wanted it since it came out. I'm getting the 5 spd loaded with everything except navigation.

I'll post pics as soon as I take delivery.

[ 04-17-2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: gsmooth75 ]

 

[jasinger]

damn last time i looked they only had the blue X's now theyre red sweet jesus

 

[01-yellow-ZX3]

Pic no worky...Lexus I assume? IS300 maybe?

 

[gsmooth75]

k, i fixed it....
Now I'll have to sell my Focus for sure..hoping to get $7K for it...we'll see.

 

[TRUenemy00]

if your planning to buy it, wouldn't you be better off buying it up front and making payments then leasing it and then paying for it when the lease is up?

 

[focusdchaos]

Originally posted by TRUenemy00:
if your planning to buy it, wouldn't you be better off buying it up front and making payments then leasing it and then paying for it when the lease is up?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes, you would be better off, but you will have higher payments. It just depends on if you want to pay more for the ability to have lower payments.

 

[gsmooth75]

holy crap!!!...how much for that turbo set-up...me wants...
oh, and btw, there are ways to lease and then purchase and still get a good deal. I can purchase it at the end, sell it for more than my residual after adding a few performance upgrades, and actually make a little bit of profit... depending on the market of course.
either way, i'm all about lowering my payment as much as possible.

 

[gsmooth75]

UPDATE!!!!!

new lease structure, i almost got put together...LMAO!!!

$2850 down
$329/mo
39 mos
12k mile/year lease
money factor from .0012 to .0099

so basically $70 less for 39 months approx $2100 for about $500 more down.
saving about $1500!!!!!

[ 04-14-2003, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: gsmooth75 ]

 

[the6148]

People always tell me that Leasing is good if you can do tax write off (*Disclaimer* I am not giving anyone any advise on how to fool the IRS. You can only do write off if the car is for business use ONLY!). However, I think leasing can be good to regular folks like us as well.

First, Leasing is good for people who keeps his or her car for no more than 2-3 years. Instead of going through the painful process of selling and buying, the dealer can do the job for ya. Secondly, Leasing is good for vehicles with less than ideal resale value. However, car dealers are pretty smart on this. Cars with lower resale value usually requires higher downpayment + monthly payment on lease. You really have to break out your calculator to figure out what's your APR after you paid in full + resale value + all the goodies.

As for you, what do you need to come up with at the end to make the car yours? I am not sure if 14500 figure is correct. If it is, you are getting the car under MSRP + 0% APR for the lease. I am not sure your figure is right. Regardless, the resale value of Lexus should be pretty decent (I guess). A 2001 IS300 with auto and standard goodies + 30K + in Excellent condition has the trade in value of 20K. However, if you mod it, I am pretty sure the value would drop like crazy especially this car.

Anyways, I am sure you will like the car if you buy it.

 

[ZX3guy182]

pretty sweet! i think my gf is going to buy an IS whatever it looks like when she gets out of collge.

 

[HotRodKougar]

WOW! what great figures.

For some of us, leasing is the only way to afford nice cars, lol.

My friend had one, it was such a nice car. Lexus service is second to none. I'd love one for a daily driver!

What color are you getting?

 

[V]

Only 12000 miles a year? Thats why I could never lease a car. I have cut back on driving a bunch but I am still at 28000 in 21 months. Just make sure you dont get burned on the mileage.

 

[pitchblackzx3]

VERY NICE choice... just bought one in February..I got it used though, 2001 Spectra Blue Metallic, E-Shift. This car is absolutley awesome...than again, my last car was a Focus...

[ 04-14-2003, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: pitchblackzx3 ]

 

[Virtual_Insanity]

gsmooth75,
That is a great car the IS300 and hope that you end up getting it

.

 

[Euro Ford Fan]

Nice my Dad got one two months ago.

 

[Smoe]

well lets see big turbo + motec engine managment + powerhouse racing = lots of cash

 

[Drew]

wow, looking nice

 

[Smoe]

Now all you need is this

Dyno Sheet

thats 540whp 549 lb ft at 20psi

Powerhouse ownz j000

This car belongs to a weatherman here at the local news station in little rock

 

[gsmooth75]

well, i thought those figures were too good to be true also. after a whole day of phone tag w/ 2 dealers and having my GSM talk to 2 Lexus GM's here's what I get:

$2300 down
379/month + tax
39 months, 12K miles/year
residual is about $16K

cap cost before reduction ( prcie of car if I were to buy it) $29,100, which is about $600 over invoice, MSRP is $32,236.

So, all in all it's a good deal, somehow I have a payment $20 less than the national lease program from Lexus. The $329/month is for lease loyalty customers who previously lease a Lexus or Toyota.

I have an appointment tomorrow at 9am w/ Putnam Lexus in Redwood City, CA unless Oakland Lexus calls me up and somehow beats this deal. I will post pics ASAP.

 

[gsmooth75]

I got it!!!...This car is so sweet, I love it already. I programmed my garage door this morning, I loaded the cd changer, and I'm going to put a coat of sealer this weekend. My detail guy at my dealership will give me the $379 detail for $100 under the table.

He's really good. The only thing wrong so far is a tiny little chip on my hood, which the dealership will fix, but that's a 60 mile drive one way...sucks

I'll probably get a loaner for a day, maybe that cool RX330.
ANyways, I don't have my digi cam around, so I will develop my film today and post pictures in a day or so...