End of Lease Strategies?

[DaveinOlyWA]

color me shocked!

I had someone who needed advice cause they were looking at a used 2013 S with charge for $9800 and I thought that was too much and checked the local listing and used LEAF prices are skyrocketing here! They are at least $2,000 higher than last Spring. Of 58 options, not counting the $9995 cars, only 4 are below $10,000!

Before there were always at least a dozen in the $7,000 to 9000 range. I know one guy who bought a 2013 SL this Summer for $7,500. His car is now worth $11000!

This is CRAZY!!

[AlanSqB]

Yep. I really like my car, but it’s going back. With state/fed/local power co incentives, I can get a new one for nearly the same cost.

I will take a hit on tax and tag, but why not.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Yep. I really like my car, but it’s going back. With state/fed/local power co incentives, I can get a new one for nearly the same cost.

I will take a hit on tax and tag, but why not.

hit on the tag? They charge you EV tab fee on new car?

[AlanSqB]

Oh yes. Here in the great state of CO, our tag fees are huge. My first two years were $733 each. That is tax/tag and $50 annual “EV fee”. All new cars under 3 years old pay really huge “own tax” each year.

On the flip side, they then give you a nice $5k refundable income tax credit. Our roads suck, so I have no idea where the money goes.

I was figuring a Model S would be around $1500/year to start.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Oh yes. Here in the great state of CO, our tag fees are huge. My first two years were $733 each. That is tax/tag and $50 annual “EV fee”. All new cars under 3 years old pay really huge “own tax” each year.

On the flip side, they then give you a nice $5k refundable income tax credit. Our roads suck, so I have no idea where the money goes.

I was figuring a Model S would be around $1500/year to start.

My tab renewal was Nov 10th and it was $247 for the year which includes an annual $150 EV tab fee. $100 goes to road fund, $50 to EV public infrastructure expansion but the EV tab fee is not billed on purchase. So if I lease every two years, I pay an effective $75 a year!

My fees are actually considerably smaller than King County (Seattle) where they have light rail expansion bills to pay. There is one Telsa owner who paid over $1500 for his renewal!

[AlanSqB]

Yes, I’ve been looking at moving out there and saw that being discussed on some of the boards. I guess it would sting less if I knew where it was going. I’ve frequently used Link and other public transportation options there so I can see the benefit. I even have my own ORCA card. However, I was surprised that those expensive fees apply through the life of the vehicle. That’s harsh. At least here, beginning on year 3, you start to get a break.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Yes, I’ve been looking at moving out there and saw that being discussed on some of the boards. I guess it would sting less if I knew where it was going. I’ve frequently used Link and other public transportation options there so I can see the benefit. I even have my own ORCA card. However, I was surprised that those expensive fees apply through the life of the vehicle. That’s harsh. At least here, beginning on year 3, you start to get a break.

Well the growing trend is moving away from the city and commuting. Just saw news 2 days ago that We experienced 4% increase in commute time which was almost 3X more than the average increase in big City commutes. We are now #4 in the country but then again, the study did not cover my area. Yesterday, left downtown Seattle at 2:22 PM, drove 62.1 miles home and arrived in Oly at 4:31 PM with only a 10 min pitstop to take a pee in there. This is not unusual. Its actually quite normal. People wonder why I don't think range is as important as comfort? Wonder no more...

[DesertSprings]

Just had my inspection done. Bill came to a total of $0 owed for wear and tear. Thought I was going to have to pay for new tires, but they only measured the tread in the middle, not the edges that wore down before I started putting more air in there mfg recommended.

Stupid Question Time: Do I have to pay my annual vehicle registration fee? Renewal is due on 12/22, lease ends on 01/05, and I'm fine with returning the car a few weeks early as the CA renewal fee is almost equal to a month lease payment.

[mykalt45]

I finally got in touch with a great salesperson who actually drives a Leaf himself. Am planning to complete my purchase on Monday. Will let the group know how it goes. Seems to me, the key is still finding a good salesperson.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Just had my inspection done. Bill came to a total of $0 owed for wear and tear. Thought I was going to have to pay for new tires, but they only measured the tread in the middle, not the edges that wore down before I started putting more air in there mfg recommended.

Stupid Question Time: Do I have to pay my annual vehicle registration fee? Renewal is due on 12/22, lease ends on 01/05, and I'm fine with returning the car a few weeks early as the CA renewal fee is almost equal to a month lease payment.

I would return it early. Thats what I do