First of all it’s best not to announce when shopping for a car that leasing is your preference. Why not leave all options on the table. First of all, who knows, the standard car payment purchase plans may be offered to you. Next you are in a better negotiating position overall to get the best deal. It’s always best to keep your cards close to your chest . Be careful that family members, along for the ride and purchase, do not let out privileged information inadvertently . Industry consultant Winnipeg based William Simpson pointed out that the automotive industry sharp salespeople will always be on the lookout for “Radio Moscow”.

Do your homework first and foremost. As a buyer or lessee you have a right to know the capitalized or “cap” cost. There is no way to calculate your “APR” or “Annual Purchase Rate” without this magic number. Insist that the vital cap cost be given and divulged to you. If not – then in this day and age there are plenty of other automotive dealers to buy or lease a vehicle from.

Many leased vehicle buyers are more than happy with their vehicle even after the covered time period. The car started new. You know its history and maintenance schedule and routine and any accident history since you are the original owner and driver. It’s not as if you had even purchased a one year vehicle from a dealership – which was most likely a drive rental vehicle and most likely will not have such a clear and known record. You may well decide to extend your lease period. Ask upfront about any lease extension terms, rates and additional add on costs or fees. You may not want to lock yourself in at the beginning for a very long term lease – yet if you are happy with the vehicle – then by extending the lease period you may find it a very easy and nice way to reduce your monthly payments, while driving a known and reliable vehicle that you still enjoy.

Lastly examine and take into account any assumptions that you may currently have of your driving habits. Not only with a newer or more reliable vehicle may you drive more or motor vacations that you may not of considered in the past but also there may be additional drivers that come onto the scene who would of not of been included before. Spouses or kids with driver licenses may well add miles to the vehicle on a regular ongoing basis that may not of been included in your or the leasing agent’s quick calculations when the whole deal is set up. Mileage over a given threshold may invoke not unsubstantial costs, fees and penalties.

In the end in shopping for a new vehicle – be it purchased outright, be bought on payments or leased it is always best to do careful and thorough homework and never be afraid to ask questions. Purchasing a vehicle is always a case of buyer beware and purchaser err on the side of caution.