maui1 said:
My partner and I are looking to lease two 2013 model s Leafs on Tues - any concise pointers? I am reading through the forum and appreciate everyone's comments.
Especially interested in VPP and any other options to reduce out of pocket. We are trading in our cars and have each already put $500 down. These are the first of 16 2013 at the dealer and the whole of them are already committed by deposit. Not seemingly a buyers market.
I am beginning to dread the signing experience after reading the posts and my last purchase experience is coming back to me.
I keep repeating "just a car," "just a car..."
tx
If you qualify for VPP, and your dealer accepts it, great. It is a good deal and a no-haggle way to lease.
If you don't, then welcome to the negotiation world. I wish that you were here in San Jose where our 2 local local dealer have over 130 Leafs in stock right now. But, even here, the S model is still the scarcest.
As a former New Car Sales Manager and recent Leaf lessee, I highly recommend you don't let the dealer confuse you with all the numbers and minutia. Stay focused on the TOTAL cost of your lease calculated as follows:
Down
PLUS
total of payments
PLUS
disposition fee in Nissan contract ($395).
Tsowens landed the best non-VPP S deal recently. His total outlay was $5200 for a 2 year lease, 15 k a yr. maximum.
A deal close to that $5200 number with those terms would be great!
If all is good so far, go in and make that seal on your S model. Avoid the "bait and switch" to a different car with more dealer expensive dealer added items so you get lost in the new numbers. Politely say "thank you" when your salesperson congratulates you and shakes your hand. Don't sigh of relief or let your guard down now because its not over. That nice finance manager (and they are ALL nice) is about to try to pick your pocket and they are very good at it. Avoid the coffee and sugary doughnuts you are offered and settle on water if you are thirsty and a bathroom break to gather your thoughts while you wait to go into the final battle for your money in the finance office.
Two important things to remember now: first, don't get emotionally attached to the car (or your salesperson, who is your new best friend even though you'll never see her again because she will likely be gone by the next visit you make to the showroom), and second, don't have your partner or anyone else with you in the finance office (so you can walk out easier if necessary, if you know what I mean). Then, if you are a real grinder, when you are in the finance office and the finance manager "surprises" you with the $395 disposition fee at the end of the lease, you say no way and that you never accounted for that number or you would have not agreed to other numbers, and get up to walk out. Your objective is to try to get them to waive the fee like Kumar's friend did in TX or to take the equivalent cost off your down or monthly payment like they agreed to do on my lease. It's only fair! It is nothing but a hidden cost that the didn't tell you about and they are banking that you'll just accept they're explanation that "it is standard in all Nissan Leases". If they then say, "we'll that only applies if you turn the car in and don't buy it or lease or lease another car from us", tell them that is exactly your plan.
Of course, almost everyone just goes along and agrees to it because they or their spouse are emotionally attached to the car (which is why your partner stays outside), think they got a good deal so what the heck (after all, he said it was "standard"), are generally adverse to conflict, are uncomfortable or are not really good or used to negotiating (especially we Americans), would feel bad walking out because the salesperson has worked so hard or maybe you've seen the picture of his kids on his desk (real or borrowed from his sister), or just have just been beaten down by now by the stress or time at the dealership. Believe me, if they let you walk out now you REALLY had the best deal and were leaving nothing on the table!
Most likely, though, they won't let you walk but will offer to split the difference or make it up elsewhere. Be careful, they love to offer you a product or service (like mats or splash guards or a free oil change) which costs them little but they say is of an equivalent cost, in lieu of money. Don't worry if they don't stop you from walking out. If your deal was available then it always will be. They want the sale worse than you do. Just swallow you ego and pride and change your mind, then or later.
Lastly, I recommend you don't buy tints, Simoniz, service packages or anything else that day from that finance manager. Everything is overpriced and remember that's how a good finance manager makes themselves and their boss money. You can always change your mind if you really still want to buy it when you are more composed a week later. But don't expect your salesperson or the same finance manager to greet when you come back! I know you think I'm being facetious, but honest to God neither my salesperson or the sales manager was still at my dealership a month later when I stopped in. Instead, I was asked questions like "Daryll who" and "Nathan who, do you have a last name" by 3-4 other new eager beavers before I could get in the door! Such is the car business - outside of technological advances, it hasn't changed much in 25 years since it was my world.
Best of luck!
Ron
