Leasing and what car

[Anonymous]

We have driven our second car to the ground and it’s time for a new one. We have two middle school kids so we are thinking mid-size SUV so we have a 3rd row. We aren’t big car people - we’ve always driven used cars until they have fallen apart. But we are thinking of leasing for a few reasons; 1) we can’t afford a huge payment right now, and 2) our older child will be driving in 3 years and we will likely re-assess our car needs. We just want something safe, big enough for a few extra kids or a lot of luggage, that drives smoothly. Our 15 year old CRV has served us pretty well but doesn’t have a 3rd row, we are now putting money into it frequently and it’s become a nightmare (we have to pump the gas peddle to start it, the driver side door doesn’t unlock, the passenger side window doesn’t roll down, and one of the doors lets rain in because it wasn’t attached properly during a repair 5 years ago.). I can’t wait to get rid of it but how do I find the best deal or decide what car to get?

[Anonymous]

You really need to mention price range

[Anonymous]

The thing I wish I'd known about leasing (at least in virginia) is all the tax implications - you pay sales tax and also personal property tax as though you own the car, even though you don't. It's a much worse deal than you think with that math included.

[Anonymous]

I think if you're OK with putting money into something you don't own, leasing is a good option. I don't mean that in a snarky way. I haven't leased only because I would never be able to stay within the mileage minimums.

Putting about $2500 down, paying a lower payment, and then handing over the keys 3-4 years later for a brand-new car always sounded pretty nice to me. But the Dave Ramsey DCUMers are really against it.

Leasing is marketed as a limited-income solution to car ownership, because the monthly costs are lower, but it's people with money to spare who should be using it -- what do they care if they don't own a depreciating asset that is 4 years old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think if you're OK with putting money into something you don't own, leasing is a good option. I don't mean that in a snarky way. I haven't leased only because I would never be able to stay within the mileage minimums.

Putting about $2500 down, paying a lower payment, and then handing over the keys 3-4 years later for a brand-new car always sounded pretty nice to me. But the Dave Ramsey DCUMers are really against it.

Leasing is marketed as a limited-income solution to car ownership, because the monthly costs are lower, but it's people with money to spare who should be using it -- what do they care if they don't own a depreciating asset that is 4 years old?

If you have “money to spare” and want new cars, it’s cheaper to buy new and swap out every three years or so than lease. We bought a $34k minivan, drove it for 42 months (3.5 years) and traded it in for 26k and got a new $34k minivan. $8k/42 = $190/month. You could not lease nor purchase for that cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if you're OK with putting money into something you don't own, leasing is a good option. I don't mean that in a snarky way. I haven't leased only because I would never be able to stay within the mileage minimums.

Putting about $2500 down, paying a lower payment, and then handing over the keys 3-4 years later for a brand-new car always sounded pretty nice to me. But the Dave Ramsey DCUMers are really against it.

Leasing is marketed as a limited-income solution to car ownership, because the monthly costs are lower, but it's people with money to spare who should be using it -- what do they care if they don't own a depreciating asset that is 4 years old?

If you have “money to spare” and want new cars, it’s cheaper to buy new and swap out every three years or so than lease. We bought a $34k minivan, drove it for 42 months (3.5 years) and traded it in for 26k and got a new $34k minivan. $8k/42 = $190/month. You could not lease nor purchase for that cost.

This self-congratulatory, "one size fits all" post fails to mention that not everyone wants to drive a Japanese minivan and getting 26k for a 4yo 34k MSRP car means you got taken advantage of elsewhere in the deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if you're OK with putting money into something you don't own, leasing is a good option. I don't mean that in a snarky way. I haven't leased only because I would never be able to stay within the mileage minimums.

Putting about $2500 down, paying a lower payment, and then handing over the keys 3-4 years later for a brand-new car always sounded pretty nice to me. But the Dave Ramsey DCUMers are really against it.

Leasing is marketed as a limited-income solution to car ownership, because the monthly costs are lower, but it's people with money to spare who should be using it -- what do they care if they don't own a depreciating asset that is 4 years old?

If you have “money to spare” and want new cars, it’s cheaper to buy new and swap out every three years or so than lease. We bought a $34k minivan, drove it for 42 months (3.5 years) and traded it in for 26k and got a new $34k minivan. $8k/42 = $190/month. You could not lease nor purchase for that cost.

This self-congratulatory, "one size fits all" post fails to mention that not everyone wants to drive a Japanese minivan and getting 26k for a 4yo 34k MSRP car means you got taken advantage of elsewhere in the deal.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if you're OK with putting money into something you don't own, leasing is a good option. I don't mean that in a snarky way. I haven't leased only because I would never be able to stay within the mileage minimums.

Putting about $2500 down, paying a lower payment, and then handing over the keys 3-4 years later for a brand-new car always sounded pretty nice to me. But the Dave Ramsey DCUMers are really against it.

Leasing is marketed as a limited-income solution to car ownership, because the monthly costs are lower, but it's people with money to spare who should be using it -- what do they care if they don't own a depreciating asset that is 4 years old?

If you have “money to spare” and want new cars, it’s cheaper to buy new and swap out every three years or so than lease. We bought a $34k minivan, drove it for 42 months (3.5 years) and traded it in for 26k and got a new $34k minivan. $8k/42 = $190/month. You could not lease nor purchase for that cost.

This self-congratulatory, "one size fits all" post fails to mention that not everyone wants to drive a Japanese minivan and getting 26k for a 4yo 34k MSRP car means you got taken advantage of elsewhere in the deal.

DP: it is nearly impossible to buy, lease, rent, maintain, or repair a car without being taken advantage of somewhere along the line.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. We are now thinking of maybe buying a newer used car (2-3 years old). Neither DH or I have much savvy when it comes to cars, so we don’t know how to get the best deal. Our newer car is a 2014 Nissan Altima that we bought in 2017. We spent the day at the dealer haggling, and we don’t want to do that again. We are thinking maybe a Honda Pilot, Kia Sorrento - we just need something reliable that drives well and has a third row. Our budget is no more than a $350/mo payment. Any and all advice on what car and how to get the best deal welcome.

[Anonymous]

I was looking a while ago at Volkswagen Atlas, it is amazing how gigantic that car's interior is, especially if you have captain's seats instead of bench. So much bigger and better then any van. Gigantic SUV for this price.

It is amazing also because the warranty is good for 6 yr/72,000 mi basic, 6 yr/72,000 mi powertrain. That makes this car pretty attractive for families. It comes with lots of standard features you don't have to pay extra for like with many brands. One of them is the third row.
Definitely worth looking if you need something inexpensive and big and reliable as per warranty.

This site gives you an idea of what you can buy it for, those numbers are starting numbers for negotiations, you should be able to get the price further down but do your research.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/new/searchresults.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePageModel&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c28823&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c28823&zip=22044&distance=50&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true&sortType=PRICE&sortDirection=ASC

[Anonymous]

Atlas interior is at least the size of the largest SUV - seems larger then BMW X7 or Mercedes GLS and many mini vans.
The cool thing about the captains seats is that you don't have to squeeze yourself through the tilted second seats to get to the third row.



It comes with three rows and can have two seats in the second row or a bench, here shown with a bench but
the two seats are more awesome. Light interior make it look even more roomy however does not look half bad in black either.





https://thecarseatlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2018-volkswagen-atlas-2nd-row-captains-chairs-frontal.jpg

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, this will sound crazy but have your husband slam the door really hard with the window that won’t go down. That fixed mine when I had that problem. Google it, it’s seriouslt a suggestion I found online and it worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. We are now thinking of maybe buying a newer used car (2-3 years old). Neither DH or I have much savvy when it comes to cars, so we don’t know how to get the best deal. Our newer car is a 2014 Nissan Altima that we bought in 2017. We spent the day at the dealer haggling, and we don’t want to do that again. We are thinking maybe a Honda Pilot, Kia Sorrento - we just need something reliable that drives well and has a third row. Our budget is no more than a $350/mo payment. Any and all advice on what car and how to get the best deal welcome.

You can get a CRV or Highlander for 350/month.

I would call a leasing broker. I've used these guys before and have a great experience each time:

https://www.bestbuyleasing.com/

I took the train to NYC and picked my car up in person but you can also have it shipped.

[Anonymous]

The Kia Telluride is getting good reviews for being a three-row SUV with lots of upscale features that come standard.

https://youtu.be/Nfyvwu7GqoE