I was searching for stuff for the Max and came upon this link. Might be useful for some people who are thinking about getting one.

Link

Not sure if it's the best deal out there but it ought to give you an idea as well.

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2002 Nissan Maxima SE
255 HP 3.5L 24V V6/ Automatic Transmission
Leather Trim Package: Leather Seating Surfaces, 4-Way Power Passenger's Seat, Auto Air Conditioning & Simulated Leather Door Trim Panels & Driver's Seat Memory.
Power Glass Moon Roof
Bose AM/FM Stereo CD/ Cassette & 6-Disc CD Changer
Lease Special Ends 12/31/01

Negotiated CAP cost: $27,590
Lease Term: 39 mo
Annual Mileage: 12,000
Residual: $15332
Acquisition fee: Included
Gap Coverage: yes
Monthly: $439.35
Total Due at signing: $439.35 + TTL

 

For the residual, even using the negotiated cap cost, they are using a 56% residual for only 3 years. That blows! Especially for a japanese car. My Grand Cherokee LTD was at 61% after 3 years!

Edited: Notice the BMW 330I offered is 65%, even paying close to MSRP for the car. The Chevy Trailblazer is 59% and the Pathfuinder is 57%! SUVs!

 

whats the ADVANTAGE of leasing a car?

 

you pay less monthly payments, builds your credit and you can get a new one in 3 years..

now the disadantages.. thats a whole other story..

 

Exactly

 

To me it makes perfect sense and I'll explain why. If I was to buy a Maxima today, it would be a fully loaded 2K2 SE with every option except Navi. Dan at Smithtown is willing to let it go for invoice price which is $27,800. Add taxes and fees, it jumps up to 30,300, now add financing, even at 3.9% and your talking at least $32K (too lazy to do the math). Now if I was to do a lease, I had a dealership willing to do 39 months, $400 a month with absolutely zero down, total drive off cost being $400 which is also the first payment(Taxes, all fees rolled into payments, also a $500 wear and tear waiver from the Bank). Someone like me gets tired of a car in 24 months, so 39 months is already pushing it. The 39 months come up and we have two scenario A) I give it back and have nothing to worry about or if I love it, I buy it out for about $15,000-$16,000. Meanwhile I just finished paying 39x400= $15,600.


B) Assuming I would have bought it and got tired of it in 39 months.
$32000- $15,600(What I pay if leasing)= $16,400. Now if I'm lucky the gay blue book value will be something around there but actually selling a car is another thing. Bottom line is I'll probably wind up getting desperate and give it away for someone to $14K and thats hard enough as it is because most people just dont make such large purchases through private party sales. People choose to pay the extra $3K, go to a dealership and get a warranty to protect the large investment.


Thanks for listening.