Ways in which dealers can deceive customers when leasing a car Car dealers often resort to common tricks and deception to entice consumers to lease when it may not be in the consumer’s best interest. This is why it is so important to understand how leasing works and to be able to make your own decisions, without a dealer’s “help.” Here is a list of the top leasing tricks used by dealers: 1. “We will … Read More
Car Deals on Leftover Models
Left-Over Cars for Great Deals Buy last year’s left-over new cars for the best bargains Every year, as new car models arrive, car manufacturers and dealers are frequently stuck with many previous-year’s vehicles. These must be sold to make room for the newer vehicles. This leads to some of the best deals of the year — cash-back rebates, lease deals, and other incentives — on “left-over” new cars. Dealers hold “clearance sales” to promote these deals. All the cars … Read More
Car Financing – Car Loans and Leases Explained
How does car financing work? How do car loans and leases work? One of the most misunderstood concepts about buying or leasing a new car is how auto financing really works. Dealer financing, specifically, is often misunderstood. We’ll explain it later, but the key concept to understand is that car dealers do not finance car loans and leases. However, dealers can most certainly affect how you finance and the interest rate you pay for financing. … Read More
Car Financing for Teens – How It Works
Auto Financing for Teenagers Teenage drivers often consider an auto loan — financing — as a way of getting the car they want. But it isn’t always easy or the best solution. It might be no solution at all, especially for those under 18 years old. For those 18 or over, there may be a number of financing options. Be Careful Taking a Dealer’s Advice Many teens make the mistake of taking dealers’ advice regarding financing … Read More
Car GPS Navigation Systems
Choosing the Best GPS Navigation System for Your Car Automobile GPS navigation systems provide drivers with dynamic street and highway maps, driving directions, and directories of restaurants, hospitals, car services, and other points of interest (POI). Voice prompts and alerts let the driver keep his attention on the road. The newest and best GPS systems have full-color 3-D street maps, traffic alerts and rerouting, integrated hands-free cell-phone use, and easy touch-screen controls. Some of the … Read More
Car Insurance – Agent or Direct?
Does It Matter Where You Buy Car Insurance? Who sells auto insurance? You can buy car insurance in different ways, from a variety of sources, depending on the insurance company. Does it make a difference how or where you buy? It might. Let’s take a look. There are essentially four ways to purchase auto insurance. They are: From a company agent (employed representative) of an insurance provider From an independent agent (not employed by an insurance … Read More
Car Lease – Did I Get a Good Deal?
How To Evaluate a Car Lease Deal After the Fact Did I Get a Good Deal or Bad Deal? Even if you are familiar with leasing a car and have experience, it can get confusing when actually conducting a deal in a dealer’s office where there are numbers flying around left and right, adjustments being made, papers being signed, and fatigue setting in. You think you got a good deal on your lease, but did … Read More
Car Lease Buyout – Good Idea or Not?
Is it smart to buy your leased car and pay off your lease? Most auto leases provide the leasing customer with the option to buy their car at the end of the lease, or buy prior to the end of the lease. This is called a “lease buyout.” To buy out your lease at lease-end simply means you purchase your vehicle from the lease company – either with cash or a loan — for the guaranteed … Read More
Car Lease Formula on HP 17BII Calculator
Find Car Lease Payments on HP Business Calculator Set up your HP 17BII financial calculator for car lease formula You might ask why we’re offering instructions on setting up a business calculator, such as the popular HP 17B, 17BII, or 17BII+, to perform car lease calculations when there is already a built-in TVM (Time Value of Money) function that appears to do the same thing. The answer is that car leases are not calculated using … Read More
Car Lease Insurance – Explained
What auto insurance is required to lease a car? Most car lease companies require you to maintain full-coverage auto insurance to protect both you and themselves. This means both liability and collision/comprehensive coverage. The details of exactly what and how much is required is specified in the small print of your lease contract. Specifics can vary by lease company. The amount of coverage specified in your lease contract is a minimum required amount, and is often … Read More
Car Lease Interest Rate Explained
What is my car lease interest rate? Lease rate is not in my contract. How do I find it? It’s true. Unlike a loan contract, a car lease contract is not required to show the interest rate used in computing the monthly payment. And it isn’t shown. Actually, lease finance rate is expressed as money factor, not interest rate. And that isn’t shown in a car lease contract either. Money factor is a very small number. … Read More
Car Lease Rate – Best Rates?
How to Get the Best Car Lease Rates Car leasing is similar to buying with a loan in that a finance charge, often known as lease rate, applies. The lease rate is like a loan APR interest rate but is called “money factor,” “lease factor,” or simply “factor.” It is also expressed differently than interest rate, as explained below. However, money factor can be converted to interest rate, and interest rate to money factor. You … Read More
Car Lease Taxes and Fees for California
Car Lease Taxes and Fees for California Leasing a car in California, like in many states, involves various taxes and fees. While this is a general overview, it’s crucial to note that specific details or changes might have occurred since our last information update in September 2021. Always verify the most current information by checking the latest resources or consulting a professional. Taxes 1. **Sales Tax**: In California, you pay sales tax on the monthly … Read More
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in Florida
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in Florida Leasing a car involves various taxes and fees, and these can vary by state. In Florida, as of September 2021, here are some general aspects regarding taxes and fees when leasing a car: ### Taxes: 1. **Sales Tax:** – Florida imposes a state sales tax on car leases, which, as of the last data, is 6%. However, local jurisdictions (counties) can impose additional sales taxes, which can make … Read More
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in Massachusetts
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in Massachusetts As of September 2021, the following information is accurate. However, please note that tax rates and fees can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the most current rates on the Massachusetts state government website or consult with a tax professional. Sales Tax In Massachusetts, the sales tax rate is 6.25%. When leasing a car, you’re required to pay sales tax on the monthly lease payments, … Read More
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in North Carolina
Car Lease Taxes and Fees in North Carolina As of September 2021, here’s a general guide to some of the taxes and fees you might encounter when leasing a car in North Carolina. Please note that specific rates and fees may have changed, so it’s always a good idea to check the most current information from local North Carolina government websites or consult with a tax professional. ### Taxes 1. **Sales Tax**: North Carolina imposes … Read More
Car Leasing – Don’t Be a Payment Buyer
Monthly Payments – Not Best Way to Negotiate a Car Lease Many automotive consumers who decide to lease do so only because the payments are more affordable than purchase loan payments. In fact, dealers often encourage the comparison of leasing versus buying on this basis. But it doesn’t necessarily mean leasing is a better deal. However, getting a great car lease deal is more than comparing lease payments and loan payments. What’s a payment buyer? Automobile buyers and … Read More
Car Leasing Companies
Where are Car Leasing Companies? Do I have a choice in what company finances my car lease? The world of car leasing in the U.S. has changed dramatically since before the Great Recession. Before, there were many independent car leasing companies, banks, credit unions, and others who were in the business of financing and leasing cars. Most have now disappeared. Now, nearly all car leasing is done through new-car dealers who use their “captive” finance … Read More
Car Leasing for Teens
Is leasing a car a good idea for teens? Teenage drivers looking for an affordable way to get a car often look at leasing with its attractive low monthly payments — about half the monthly payment amount required to purchase the same car with a loan. But is leasing right for teenage drivers? First, let’s say that leasing a car is not possible for anyone less than 18 years old — because leasing is a form of … Read More
Car Leasing How-To Explainer Videos
Money Factor in Car Leasing How to Use a Car Lease Calculator Car Lease Payment Formula Pre-Paid Car Lease Explained How to Get the Best Car Lease Deals How to Use a Car Lease Calculator New-Car Depreciation Explained
Car Leasing Math FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Lease Calculations Car leasing involves more math than buying a car, or buying with a loan. We frequently see common questions about the math of leasing that we’ll answer here. 1. How do I calculate car lease payments? To calculate monthly payments for a car lease, you must know the amount being financed in the lease (Capitalized Cost), the lease-end Residual Value, finance rate (Money Factor), and number of lease … Read More
Car Leasing Myths – What’s True?
What are some common myths about leasing a car? Car leasing is often misunderstood primarily because it’s a bit more complicated than buying with a loan. Furthermore, these misunderstandings are frequently propagated through casual conversations among friends and family, and through the Internet via forums, answer boards, and “expert” advice web sites. Let’s take a look at the most common of the myths about car leasing: 1. Leasing is like renting, which means no down payment, … Read More
Car Leasing Pros and Cons – Explained
Advantages and disadvantages of car leasing Car leasing provides worthwhile benefits to many people looking for a new car. Although leasing offers lower costs than buying with a loan, which is the primary attraction, it is not right for everyone, especially those who drive an unusually high amount of miles. Leasing is designed to provide the greatest benefits to those who drive an average number of miles, take good care of their cars, like having … Read More