Questions to Ask Before You Lease a New Car

Whether you are looking for a car to facilitate your personal or business activities, it is important to understand what the process of leasing a car entails. This will ensure that you avoid unnecessary costs and take advantage of any discounts the lease company will offer. Although car leasing may be a great option for a good number of customers, you should ask yourself whether it is right for you. Here are several questions you should ask yourself before you lease a new car.

Are there any leasing discounts or specials?

If you are to save cash when looking to lease a car, you should consider taking advantage of any specials or discounts. The best way to identify whether there are discounts is to check whether there are any hidden fees and sales tax in the lease agreement. It is critically important to make sure that what you get is what you signed up for.

Is leasing the car advantageous over buying?

One of the advantages of vehicle leasing is that it will lower car payments for anyone who likes to get a new car after every few years. However, once the lease is up, you do not get to keep the car as you decide what to buy next.

What payments are due at the beginning and at the end of the lease?

At the beginning of the lease, some of the payments you may have to make include processing fees, taxes, the first monthly payment, a security deposit as well as fees for licensing and registration. At the end of the lease, possible expenses will include damage and mileage fees.

What maintenance expenses will you be responsible for?

You should be clear on the maintenance costs you will be responsible for when you have the car. Some of the expenses you are likely to incur include oil changes, costs for regular upkeep, insurance and taxes by the local government.

What’s the car’s residual value?

Simply put, the residual value of the car refers to how much the vehicle is worth at the end of the lease. A high residual value means that you will enjoy lower monthly payments. In effect, when the leasing company gives you a high value, you will get a great leasing deal.

Should I get any special insurance?

Compared to buying a car, leasing will offer you a number of monthly cash flow advantages. However, since you will need special insurance to protect yourself financially, you will incur additional insurance costs. This is besides the traditional insurance you will be required to purchase.

Are there charges for wear and tear?

It would be important to understand what constitutes wear and tear according to your dealer. Before you sign the lease agreement, you should consider discussing with the leasing company what would be considered normal wear and tear as well as the charges you are likely to incur.

What is my interest rate?

The interest rate is not only a leasing jargon you will have to familiarize yourself with but also a factor whose value you will need to establish. Since it will not be expressed as an annual percentage rate, you should find out what the interest rate is and try to negotiate to ensure that you get a good deal.

Can I negotiate a car lease?

Although they are offered by car manufacturers rather than banks, it is possible to negotiate leases. You should consider using your good credit score to minimize your expenses.

In the end, you should make sure that you are not in the dark at any stage of the car leasing process. It will also be important to be clear on when to avoid and consider leasing.

Author Bio:

Erica Silva is a blogger who loves to discover and explore the world around her. She writes on everything from marketing to technology, science and brain health. She enjoys sharing her discoveries and experiences with readers and believes her blogs can make the world a better place.

Find her on Twitter: @ericadsilva1