I am so excited...I just cannot wait!!!!! I have two months left on my lease for my '00 SE 5-speed so wandered into the dealer because the remaining 2002's are getting scarce. They weren't doing anything special on '03 TE's, but they gave me a KILLER deal on leasing another Maxima.

I got a '02 SE 6-speed with HLSD and every option but nav system...black with black leather.

Here is the my deal... $2500 total cash out of pocket, 36 months, 15K a year mileage, $408/month!!!! Additionally, they are making my last two payments on my current lease to get me out of the deal (I think they are going to sell the car on their lot because it is in beautiful shape). My past lease was $2K out of pocket and $399/mo so I am only paying $9 more a month. I know this is a good deal. They even said this is completely at their cost giving up their holdback and selling it to me at invoice with the cash rebate. I of course doubt they are selling it me for nothing, but still think I got a sweet deal. Am I right?

I had to head back home, but will be going back in 3 hours to pick up the car. I can't wait!!

 

Congrats! What interest rates are you getting? Try asking for a lower one... might get that monthly a tad lower

 

It is a lease not a buy. There isn't an interest rate...it is a factor. The factor supplied by Nissan for clean credit customers right now on '02 Maxima's works out to .5% interest. I don't really think they are going any lower than that...

 

BTW... this is the 4th Maxima in a row that I have purchased from this dealer ('94, '97, '00 and '02) so I don't really think they are going to try and take advantage of me. Besides, I did all my homework and cross-shopped with other dealers.

 

I dont think that is all that great, but as long as you are happy.
I got my 2K SE loaded new in April of 2000, with $0 down, 36/mo, 12k miles/year, and only $378/mo.

 

Congrats on the new Max!

 

Congrats on the new Max but........

That comes out to $16,688 for 3 years of use on the car. What is the residual. Add the residual and the $16,688 and that is how much you got the car for. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

It is all about depreciation. If you are paying more a month, that means that the car is depreciating more they thought a 2000 would. A lease on a Yugo would be huge.

 

So what is the residual??

 

I just recently bought the same car, SE 6spd., Gray Lustre, black leather, every option but NAV.

I put 1500 down, 15000 mi a year, 455 a month.

I knew it would be bad if I was considering keeping the car, but I won't be keeping it, I'm young, and the thought of having the power to have a new car every 3 years just gives me a good feeling. My next car will either be a z06 Vette or an S2000.

 

Good luck getting your hands on a S2000 the markup on those is huge and the dealers sell them new for around a mere 37k. Don't forget about the waiting list. Also, have fun saving when you are paying 455$ a month. I am paying less than that and I bought the Max. My feeling is when you lease once you will be leasing the rest of your life, unless of course you lease some piece of crap for 200$ a month. I am not trying to flame anyone but 400+ is still a lot for lease. If you buy smart you will get some positive equity and not have to worry about your down payment the next time you go to buy. Just my 2 cents

 

Now would you buy the 350Z over the S2000? Are they in the same class? The Z is supposed to target the Boxster, Z3, etc. I guess the MB Kompressor convertible (what is the model name?) and S2000 would fit in the same category?

If the S2000 is $40,000, then I would rather take the G35 Coupe or the Z. Will some of the Z350 be topless?

 

Well "I'm" not paying for it, my dad is, when the lease is up on this one, I will be buying or leasing an S2000 or a Vette.

 

The residual on my car is $15,109. Add that to the $16,688 and you get $31, 797...but there were $2600 worth of taxes, plate transfer and doc fees to pay for. The car stickered for $30,800. Oh and somewhere in there I bet that the dealer, the sales person and Nissan corporate are planning to make some money.

 

A few things... residual values have been dropping significantly over the past couple years. The deal you got 2 years ago is nearly impossible to match today. NMAC is booking the '03 TE 6-speed with a paltry 43% residual value after 3 years.

Secondly, you would have to add about $25/month to your payment to get a 15K lease and compare your payment to mine.

Third... the loaded '02 stickers for about $2000 more than a loaded '00.

I am surprised to hear that you truly put ZERO down. Most of the time they at least require first payment. That was included in my $2500 total cash out of pocket...

 

LEASE VS PURCHASE: ADD 2500 on to the down payment, my monthly paymnent is nearly the same as yours with a few more months of payments and i will OWN the vehicle instead of renting it.........

 

I considered that option, but it didn't work out anything like you are suggesting. The way I see it, even with an extra $2500 down, there is still another $8900 to account for. That is selling the car at invoice, getting the entire Nissan Mfg holdback, adding in the $1000 rebate and adding in tax on the invoice price. That doesn't add up to a few more payments to me....more like a 54 month loan.

Based on how they are valuing the Max's, I don't think a 4 1/2 year old Max with 75K on the clock would be worth all that much.

Besides, I plan to park a S2000 right next to my Max in the garage come late fall when the prices drop a bit.