Automotive Articles > Auto Leasing > Avoid Car Leasing Problems
Eight Simple Rules for Avoiding Problems When Car Leasing.
1. Don't lease on impulse or on a dealer's recommendation. Many people who have no intention of leasing become mesmerized by the apparent bargain payments and make a decision for which they have not properly prepared.
2. Don't lease without understanding how leasing works and how payments are determined. Obtain your knowledge independently from a source such as LeaseGuide.com.
2. Don't lease without understanding how leasing works and how payments are determined. Obtain your knowledge independently from a source such as LeaseGuide.com.
3. Don't lease if you drive more than 15,000 miles a year. Leasing is based on the concept that, if you only use a car an average amount, you should only pay for what you use, not for the entire value of the car.
4. Don't lease to buy – making low lease payments for a couple of years, then higher loan payments later when it can be afforded. The overall cost of leasing and then buying at lease-end with a loan is always higher than simply buying in the beginning.
5. Don't lease for more than three years, or the length of your vehicle's bumper-to-bumper general warranty. You don't want to pay for expensive repairs after the warranty expires on a vehicle that doesn't belong to you.
6. Don't lease if you typically do not properly maintain, insure, and care for your cars. Lease companies require customers, by contract, to follow recommended maintenance schedules, keep a specified amount of insurance, and repair any damages beyond normal wear and tear. Failure to do so can be costly when the vehicle is returned at lease-end.
7. Don't lease if you want to customize your car. When you lease, the vehicle doesn't belong to you and the owner (the lease company) prefers that you not make modifications to their property. If you do make changes, make sure that it can be reversed before your lease-end return.
8. Don't lease if you expect significant life changes or changes in your car tastes in the near future. Leases are very troublesome and expensive to terminate early.
4. Don't lease to buy – making low lease payments for a couple of years, then higher loan payments later when it can be afforded. The overall cost of leasing and then buying at lease-end with a loan is always higher than simply buying in the beginning.
5. Don't lease for more than three years, or the length of your vehicle's bumper-to-bumper general warranty. You don't want to pay for expensive repairs after the warranty expires on a vehicle that doesn't belong to you.
6. Don't lease if you typically do not properly maintain, insure, and care for your cars. Lease companies require customers, by contract, to follow recommended maintenance schedules, keep a specified amount of insurance, and repair any damages beyond normal wear and tear. Failure to do so can be costly when the vehicle is returned at lease-end.
7. Don't lease if you want to customize your car. When you lease, the vehicle doesn't belong to you and the owner (the lease company) prefers that you not make modifications to their property. If you do make changes, make sure that it can be reversed before your lease-end return.
8. Don't lease if you expect significant life changes or changes in your car tastes in the near future. Leases are very troublesome and expensive to terminate early.
Copyright 2005 Al Hearn and http://LeaseGuide.com
Al Hearn is founder, owner, and operator of LeaseGuide.com, a popular automotive consumer web site that has provided car leasing information, tools, and helpful advice to thousands of visitors since 1995.
