If you're one of the millions of Americans whose car lease will end this year, you've got a decision to make: should you simply turn it in and walk away, or buy it?
Here's some advice to steer you in the right direction and protect your pocketbook.
To buy, or not to buy...that's the decision you face when you turn in a leased car.
The price you pay is called the residual value.
But it's not set in stone. Especially if the car in question is an SUV.
“Now you can bargain thousands under that, because the leasing company doesn't want the hassle of it coming back, because if it does come back, they may wind up selling it for far less at auction."
Some car prices have plunged, thanks to the faltering economy and high gas prices.
Banks and auto makers have lost billions because gas-guzzling SUVs, trucks and luxury cars aren't selling for even close to their residual values.
That's their problem...and your opportunity!
"For instance, a Chevy suburban you might have leased four years ago probably had an initial price approaching $50-thousand dollars and the value, the residual value at the end was probably estimated to be about 40% of that value...The value now may be as little as 25% of that...So that's where you have the room to negotiate."
And if the lease is up on your economy car, that one you might be able to buy at residual and sell at a profit, especially a car like a Prius.
"I'd say definitely buy that car and resell it because a lot of used Prius are because of the fuel economy involved or whatever are actually selling for more than a new one."
There's unprecedented volatility in used car values right now.
So if your lease is about to end, check out prices: You might find yourself driving a hard bargain.
