End of Lease Strategies?

[mantar]

After reading all the posts here, no point in shopping around dealers for my 42 month old black 2015LEAF (S no QC) with one bar missing and 38K miles old. Also, i called Nalley Nissan and they told me the same thing. Even 9000 is not doable. They said the best time woudl have been earlier in the lease. Looks like I should have checked more seriously for offers when the 2 year lease was over. Oh well, it was a good run. 5 months free. So paid 209 per month for 35 months. 5000 state rebate cashed in with GA. No maintenance costs except for 2 sets of tires(I drive rashly as I am used to my other car , an infiniti, and have driven it jackrabbit style and taken it to 90mph often). Practically a free alternative to a gas car over that same period.

So I will arrange for an inspection next month. The rear bumper has three impacts over the years on the rear bumper. And 2 or 3 small scratches in other places of the car. There is also a chipped wheel cover. The collision place told me it would cost 900 bucks to fix the rear bumper and luckily all 3 parking lot dents all happened on the same part in different areas. not worth getting insurance to pay for it because of my deductible. Should I let them inspect it first and see what they want or get the rear bumper fixed and they said they can buff out one or two of those scratches. THat will leave just chipped wheel cover(a tiny portion) and probably a stray scratch elsewhere. Do you think they will take into account the length of the lease and give me a break on any scratches the body shop cant get buff out. Also, should I just let the adjuster see the whole car and see if their total bill might cost less than getting the bumper repaired?

[LeftieBiker]

See if you can find a used bumper cover in the right color. That could cost half as much.

[AlanSqB]

I backed into some ice about three weeks ago and it cracked the rear bumper under the license plate. I was sure that was going to cost me because the crack was about 7 inches long. it was kind of a hairline crack, but absolutely noticeable to anyone who looked. However, between that and the few dings and some curb rash on the wheels, I still got no chargeable damage.

You might be surprised by the results of the inspection. I'd go ahead and schedule it and see what you get.

[SageBrush]

I bought a replacement bumper for my old Prius Wagon for under $100 from Ebay. I'm fortunate to have found a local guy who paints bumpers for about $150 and does a great job so the total cost was ~ $250

[sonnylax]

Glad to see this thread I started so long ago is still alive!!

My (Atlanta based) 2015 Nissan Leaf S with QC is rolling off lease in April 2018. This was originally a 24 month lease, but I extended a year ago when they offered 3 free payments.

I only have 20,500 miles on the Leaf and it hasn't lost any bars yet. Residual value is $9200. KBB Private Sale says the car is worth around $12k in good value. It's a great/cheap commuter car for me, but it's hard to use with a growing family of 4 kids.

I'd consider buying this vehicle if I could get out the door for $5 - 6k total, but from what I'm reading Nissan Finance isn't inclined to make many additional incentives right now. I may go back to a used ICE minivan.

Does the KBB value even apply? Or is it simply the residual value minus any Nissan Finance incentives the dealerships may share part of with me?

Thanks.

P.S. Can anyone share sample email scripts you have used with the dealerships?

[DaveinOlyWA]

Glad to see this thread I started so long ago is still alive!!

My (Atlanta based) 2015 Nissan Leaf S with QC is rolling off lease in April 2018. This was originally a 24 month lease, but I extended a year ago when they offered 3 free payments.

I only have 20,500 miles on the Leaf and it hasn't lost any bars yet. Residual value is $9200. KBB Private Sale says the car is worth around $12k in good value. It's a great/cheap commuter car for me, but it's hard to use with a growing family of 4 kids.

I'd consider buying this vehicle if I could get out the door for $5 - 6k total, but from what I'm reading Nissan Finance isn't inclined to make many additional incentives right now. I may go back to a used ICE minivan.

Does the KBB value even apply? Or is it simply the residual value minus any Nissan Finance incentives the dealerships may share part of with me?

Thanks.

P.S. Can anyone share sample email scripts you have used with the dealerships?

Nissan has spent the last 8 months increasing the value of used LEAFs and have succeeded. The average of used LEAFs in my area has jumped 20-40% in value.

Now phase 2 is starting. Put out new LEAFs with MUCH greater features but also at an average selling price that is $5-8,000 higher than the 2017's which helps keep used LEAF values high.

I personally think you can't go wrong with that residual. You might still get a bit of discount but nothing like they were offering a year ago. I know someone who recently got $1500 off theirs but their residual was much higher. Residuals in your range are getting very little if anything taken off.

What is your monthly? If its low, ask for another lease extension.

[AlanSqB]

You probably won’t get anything off with that residual. That’s less than the “minimum payoff amount” I was told about from NMAC. Sounds like the cars are just worth more to them now than they were a year ago.

[sonnylax]

My monthly payment is 218.

[LeftieBiker]

Submit your VIN to several Nissan dealers and ask for quotes for you to buy the car. That's the only way to do it now - NMAC won't do anything.

[RobertM]

My 2015 SL lease ends in 1 month. Residual of $14k, which is what I've been quoted as buyout price, so I've made my peace with it going back. Had the inspection and all is well. Currently at 43,600 miles and hope to get as close to 45k as I can. SOH still showing at 99%, updated today in Leaf Spy since I had 5 temp bars, so it's a great car. Will be sad to send it back. Hope to test a new LEAF, but after reading some of the initial reviews here am leaning towards the Bolt.