EVforRobert said:
The $7,500 federal rebate changes the leasing numbers completely which is why 75% of us lease
The reason most people lease instead of buying is because they are focused on "How much a month"
Yes, with the current NMAC lease offers on a Leaf. you get the $10,925 manufactures rebate applied as a Cap Cost Reduction plus some other funny money for a CAP cost reduction of $14,000. BUT if you purchase instead, you easily can negotiate a $11,000 savings i.e., $6,000 discount, $5,000 NMAC cash PLUS $7,500 from Uncle Sam when you file your tax return after January (assuming your tax liability exceeds $7,500) That is an $18,500 savings vs $14,000 on a lease.
Leasing has additional fees that purchasing outright does not. There is a $595 non-refundable Acquisition fee.
If you decide to purchase it at the end of the lease you will pay the residual , a purchase option fee of $300 and sales tax.
If you turn it in at the end of the lease, current NMAC leases require you pay for excess wear and tear plus $0.25 per mile over the agreed upon mileage. You are also subject to a $395 disposition fee at time of contract termination. You are also subject to inspection and paying for excess wear and tear. Fees, Fees, Fees!
If your Taxable Income is such that your tax liability exceeds the $7,500 Federal Tax credit then most times it is to your advantage to buy instead of lease.
Buying gives you flexibility. In the last 15 months I've bought 4 new 2014/2015 cars. I bought a 2014 F150 and traded it in 6 weeks later and took a $700 hit. I bought other F150 Loaded Lariat 4x4, kept it for 10 months and took a $3000 hit, or just $300/month. If these were leases I would have gotten killed.
I just sold a Lexus SC430 to a Lexus dealer and used the check to pay off the 5 day old NMAC loan on my Leaf. Being I owned the SC430 I shopped around for the best offer and/or trade-in deal. Lexus paid me $4,000 more than trade-in or selling outright to CarMax. Of course since I owned it outright there was no Disposition fee, no excess wear and tear and no $300 purchase option.