I read all my paperwork, and it doesn't really tell me much. I want to do some minor things, but I don't want to get stuck at the end of my 4-year lease having to pay money for "damaging" Nissan's car.

Obviously, if I can put it back the way it was, I'll have no problem (such as FSTB). But how about things like window tint or a dash kit?

Or what if I modify the car but keep the old parts to turn in at lease end, such as lowering springs or air intake? I'm not going to put these things on now only to take them off again, even if it is four years down the road. Too much work.

Anybody got any experience here?

 

Rob, I have a leased car and I have modded mine. I just made sure that I kept all of my original parts, so that if I decide to turn it in, I can bring it back to stock without hassle (although I am probably going to buy it out and keep it myself). I don't think there is anything in the contract saying you can't mod, but you probably want to turn it back in stock, or as close as possible to avoid any potential problems. Secondly it is a good idea to keep original parts in case you should need repairs, because this avoids the issue of mods causing the problem.

 

I leased my last three Maximas and moded the last two. I turned in my '97 with intake, exhaust and FSTB. When they did the inspection, the guy was totally drooling over the car and even recommend to the dealer that they buy the car rather than letting NMAC get it. I figured that the mods weren't worth the effort to remove after 3 years of use. Besides, the bolts on the exhaust would be a bear to remove with Chicago winters! I got all my security deposit back and was never given a hassle...

 

Ditto. I've been leasing cars for some time now, and I always mod them. The dealships don't care...anything you do is good for them...Tint, rims, springs, whatever, makes em happy cause they can sell the car for more and you're paying for it. Just don't do anything "stupid" like drop it more than 2" or put 12" gold rims that stick out 2 feet.

They loved my '96 Stang GT with 17" Cobra rims, Eibach springs, tint and stillen shifter. I think it sat on the lot 1 week before it sold.

 

I think it would be safe to say: any mods that are favorable, or at least not detrimental, to resale value are OK to leave in place. I think window tint would be a good thing for resale, if done well. The same for an attractive dash kit.

Think of it this way: if you ran into a curb, you are expected to pay to replace the wheel and tire. So why not get wheels and tires you'd like?

But then mods that aren't generally acceptable: (like your girlfriends name sand-blasted into the rear window) should be avoided. They will probably charge you to replace that window!

Of course removeable mods (intake, RSB, FTSB, etc.) you might want to remove. You won't get value for them but you could then sell them used, so keep any original equipment parts you remove (and some instructions to help you return to stock.)

BuddyWh

 

I always thought that you couldn't mod a car if you lease it and intending to not buy it at the end. But, it looks like you can BUT either you convert it back to stock OR you lose money at the end because you don't get anyting back for all the money you put into it. That kinda sucks!!

 

No matter what you do to a car, even if you do nothing, you lose money on it. a car(everyday, not collector) has to rank as one of the worst investments there is, but since we all need them, we throw our money away

 

That's very true, but what I was trying to say was that by modding the car you lose even more money. And THAT sucks, you can't even get some of it back.