Good Lease Deals? Help me find the best deals on a new car.

[WookieOnRitalin]

The Jeep is done. Transmission fix is going to be around 2k to fix and I'd rather not put $2000 in a 315,000 mile car just to have something else go wrong with it and invest another 800-3000 in it 5000 miles after that. So I'm just having the mechanic just get her road safe and go invest that 2000 in a down payment on a new vehicle.

So there's plenty of good lease deals on 2010s. Somewhere south of $250 would be great. Credit is around 700.

Unless you guys have other options of what I should do, my dad recommended I just go grab a lease on a new car and start from scratch as opposed to getting a used vehicle with a variety of other problems. A used vehicle can be put in the picture if it's extremely low mileage.

As for the total payment and why a lease is a good play probably is because I am invested in a house that I will acquire a good chunk of change out of once it sells. Enough to pay a car completely off. That should happen within the next two years so a 36 month lease would be viable. If you guys have any other recommendations on what I should do, I'm all ears.

So that's what I'm looking at. Obviously an inexpensive, frugal, fuel efficient vehicle for the short term. I don't want to invest in fancy gizmos or heavy options since I do not plan to keep it for that long. I may, but I honestly just don't know at this point. I just need something that will work for now. Obviously, if I can save on gas, that would awesome.

So I need some help. Everything is fair game. All suggestions and advice are welcome.

[2o6]

Versa.

[SVT666]

Fiesta

[68_427]

New Focus?

Golf TDi?




Om nom

[2o6]

New Focus?

Golf TDi?

Both of those are going to be too expensive with the downpayment he's putting down.

[Raza]

Civic or Golf TDI.

My Jetta Wolfsburg is only $279, and that was 0 down.  Never put money down on a lease. 

[CJ]

Go for a new Sonata GLS.  They've got a $199/36 mo. deal right now on the base GLS model.  That has power windows, keyless entry, power locks, cruise, Bluetooth, etc.  You might even be able to get one with the popular equipment package, which adds alloy wheels, a power driver's seat with power lumbar, automatic lights, and chrome door handles on the inside.  They do good MPG in the city and great MPG on the highway.  They're reasonably priced and have great space, while not being too slow.  Sure, it's not the most exciting car, but it's a safe choice.  Also boasts an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

[Raza]

Both of those are going to be too expensive with the downpayment he's putting down.

They're probably going to be aggressive on TDIs.

[Raza]

Go for a new Sonata GLS.  They've got a $199/36 mo. deal right now on the base GLS model.  That has power windows, keyless entry, power locks, cruise, Bluetooth, etc.  You might even be able to get one with the popular equipment package, which adds alloy wheels, a power driver's seat with power lumbar, automatic lights, and chrome door handles on the inside.  They do good MPG in the city and great MPG on the highway.  They're reasonably priced and have great space, while not being too slow.  Sure, it's not the most exciting car, but it's a safe choice.  Also boasts an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

That $199 is probably with 4 grand down.

[CJ]

That $199 is probably with 4 grand down.

$2200.  Still, that's right around what he said he wanted to do.

[2o6]

That $199 is probably with 4 grand down.

That Lancer DE was 179 a month with $3000 down.

[Xer0]

Do leases force you to put money down on them?  I've never experienced a lease situation so I don't know, but every comercial that I see advertising leases also mentions how much needs to be put down for that rate.  Is that just the random amount to get the attractive 199 rate?  If so, can you just put 0 down? 

[CJ]

I'm not sure how leases worked, but we leased our Accord and then bought it off-lease.

[68_427]

Both of those are going to be too expensive with the downpayment he's putting down.

I think he should at least drive a Golf TDi.  He may feel it's worth whatever extra money it may cost.  It'll also save him money on gas.

[CJ]

But is the price bump worth it for the gas mileage?  I checked one out last weekend and the 6-speed manual is very rubbery.  The GTI has a much better transmission.

[68_427]

Too bad we don't get the GTD here.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Thanks for some of the suggestions guys.

The Golf TDI would be awesome, but every VW special offer excludes all TDI models on Golfs. They have Jetta TDIs for 239 and 1999 due at signing.

[the Teuton]

That Lancer DE was 179 a month with $3000 down.

Mitsubishi will also give a car to anyone with a signature.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Here's what I've found on Lease Deals.

Suzuki:
Kizashi: SE CVT for 229 w/2374 due at signing

Kia
'11 Sportage: 229 mo w/2499 due at signing
'10 Forte Coupe: 179/mo w/1999 due at signing
Soul: 169/mo w/1999 due at signing

Toyota:
Matrix: 219/mo w/2799 due at signing (this is probably as high of a Down Payment im willing to make)

VW:
Jetta TDI: 239/mo w/1999 due at signing

Mazda:
Mazda3 i Sports: 169/mo w/1763 due at signing (maybe a winner)
Mazda3 s Sport 5-Door: 209/mo w/1803 due at signing (maybe another winner)

Subaru
Legacy: 199/mo w/1899 due at signing
Forester: 229/mo w/1929 due at signing
Impreza Sedan: 179/mo w/1178 due at signing

Honda:
Fit: 149/mo w/2399 due at signing
Civic: 159/mo w/1399 due at signing
Accord Coupe: 280/mo w/0 due at signing (for zero down, 280 would be okay)

Nissan:
Versa Hatch: 199/mo w/1999 due at signing (39 mo)
Sentra SR: 179/mo w/1999 due at signing (39 mo)

Chevy seems to have most of their offers limited to individual dealers. (Equinox lease offers)

Chances are, if it's not listed, I'm not interested.

Any fan favorites among them or any other leases I didn't see that were worth mention?

[the Teuton]

Souls are cool, but you'd be miserable with the interior. It's a versatile, fun little bugger, though. The dash is just really chintzy.

[CALL_911]

Will you be getting said car with a manual transmission?

[Mustangfan2003]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a new Aston Martin 

[WookieOnRitalin]

Will you be getting said car with a manual transmission?

Negative. Auto. 

[WookieOnRitalin]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a new Aston Martin 

[the Teuton]

The Soul really is the best replacement for anyone who bought a PT Cruiser for its compact versatility, but it's just kinda cheapie on the inside. I just had to add that.

That said, I'd get one if the opportunity arose.

What kind of car do you want?

[WookieOnRitalin]

The Soul really is the best replacement for anyone who bought a PT Cruiser for its compact versatility, but it's just kinda cheapie on the inside. I just had to add that.

That said, I'd get one if the opportunity arose.

What kind of car do you want?

Haha. Pickiness is not necessarily a real big thing right now. Finding a good vehicle is more important right now especially one with a good lease.

If I had a preference?

I don't have an affinity for trunks. I prefer liftgates. So that would eliminate everything on my list except...

Soul, Sportage, Forester, Matrix, Fit, Mazda3 5 Door

As I said, those were all good deals for vehicles that I thought, "I wouldn't mind taking a look..."

[WookieOnRitalin]

I added the Sentra and Versa lease deals to the mega list.

Of the list available here is how I rank em on paper

1: Sportage
2: Mazda3 5-Door
3: Jetta TDI
4: Soul
5: Kizashi
6: Fit
7: Forester
8: Mazda3 i Sport Sedan
9: Civic (that lease and sign off is ridiculous)
10: Accord Coupe
11: Legacy
12: Versa
13: Forte Coupe
14: Matrix
15: Sentra
16: Impreza Sedan

That's minus any Fords or Chevys.

Wouldn't mind narrowing the list down a bit. Any there that are complete POS that I should just axe off the list?

[MrH]

I'd axe the Sentra fo sho.  Probably both the Subaru's too.

[Tave]

KIZASHI!

[Xer0]

KIZASHI!