Question: How much money should a dealership be making on a lease?

Queen of the Road: For new car dealerships the profits on a lease is still in money made on the price of the car.  What leases do is essentially let consumers buy a block of a car’s time.  In most instances the leases are 12, 24, 36, 39, 42 or even 48 months with 36 being the most common.  However, for the new car dealership the lease transaction is still a sale.  This is why many dealerships will tell consumers they “cannot” reduce the price of the MSRP because the car is  being leased.
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Question From JN: I am debating between Camry LE, Accord LX, or Altima SE 4 four door sedans. I am not in urgent need as my other car is OK. However, I would like to buy one when the deals are good. I am looking for a family car with better safety. I live in Fairfax, VA. Do you suggest any of these.? If so what would be best price I should offer and what are the other cost associated with it. Any help is appreciated. This web site is fantastic. JN
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Question From Adam: New or Used? Used
Buy or Sell? Buy
Year? 1996
Make? Jeep
Model? Wrangler
Trim? Sport
2 or 4 Wheel Drive? 4X4
Automatic or Manual? 6speed manual w/ 4.0L 6cyl.
Your Question? With just over 40,000 miles as a previous fleet vehicle from PA; what is a reasonable price for this vehicle?

Queen of the Road: Hi Adam. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!!

2006 Jeep Wrangler 6C Sport prices with 40,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $15,700 (being in above average condition) to $13,700 (being in average condition) and $11,700 (being in below average condition).
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Question: I’m really considering a GMC Terrain SLE-1. So far, dealers aren’t able to go down on price at all. Giving excuses that dealers can’t even keep it in stock. What strategies could I use? Should I just say, “Oh well! I guess I’ll just give my $24k to a decked-out Honda CRV.” ??LOL

Queen of the Road: Hi there. That’s a great line to say on your way out the door!
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Question: Can you apply a rebate to a lease?

Queen of the Road: Hi there. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!

Leases are negotiable and you can apply rebates to them. Basically, in a car lease there is a residual value lets say its 60% of MSRP after 3 years. This is the assessed value of the asset after 3 years, so the lesaor is responsible for paying for 40% of the MSRP + the interest which is money factor times 24 times MSRP.
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Question From Jim: Does Lexus negotiate off-of residual value if I wish to buy vehicle at end of lease?

Queen of the Road: Hi Jim. For Lexus vehicles when you lease, the residual set at the time of the lease is the price you may buy the vehicle for at the end of the term. However, you may make an offer to purchase a vehicle for less than the residual. 

The way the current market is the chances are high that a reasonable offer will be accepted.  Find out what the wholesale price is at the time your lease ends to determine what to offer.

Question From Jim: I am looking to buy a new 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD. My Internet information say’s average discounts range from 7 to 15 % off MSRP ?? Our company car compensation program has changed, myself and two of my colleagues all need to purchase new vans prior to April 30th.  Most likely 3 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD. Lowest price wins three sales??

Queen of the Road: Hi Jim. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!
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Question From Scott: It looks like my son will meet his end of the bargain (grades) so now I have to find him a car! I’m looking to spend $6500-$7500 for something safe. He wants an Xterra but I’m not sure about the rollover thing. Advice? Recommendations? Thanks!

Follow Up Comment: Thanks! My insurance agent said that rates will be best on an older model – 2000 & prior. A 2WD is fine.

Queen of the Road: Hi Scott. Alright, I’ll give you an idea of prices with a 2000 model.
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Question From Bill: What do you think of the reliability & gas mileage of a stick shift, 2005 BMW 545 I?

Queen of the Road: Hi Bill,

Buying a used car involves a certain amount of luck even after you check CarFax (www.carfax.com) and utilize every other online tool out there.  AutoBrag always recommends that car buyers take the car to a certified mechanic to be checked out.
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Question From Fabrice: How can I trade my car (Dodge Caliber 2007) for another car (for example a Jetta 06 or 07). i believe i still owe around $10-12,000 on it even if it is only worth around $8,000. Is that even possible to do ? Thanks for your answer.

Queen of the Road: Hi Fabrice. Welcome to AutoBragBlog!
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Question: Sierra or Equinox, which way would you go?

Queen of the Road: Hi there. Welcome to AutoBragBlog! Hmmm… This is more of a personal choice that I’m not sure I’d be able to help with. One is an SUV, the other a truck. It all depends on which of the two your need most. How badly do you need a truck? You should read car and consumer reviews on both cars written by experts. Just google the car and reviews. That’s what helps me decide!
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Question From M: Anyone know what the A or Z plan discounts are on Ford Cars? and any new discounts out there for November and December the old ones expired in October?

Queen of the Road: Hi M. Welcome to AutoBragBlog! You can check by going to www.AutoBrag.com and selecting the tab on the top of the page labelled “Auto Incentives“.  We have all the incentives for every Ford car available.

Here are the 3 types of Auto Incentives available:

Finance Incentives: If financing through the dealership, know what financing specials the manufacturer is offering or risk the dealership making extra points.
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Question: How much should I pay for a 2011 Hyundai Sonata 4 cylinder with the limited package which includes leather heated seats but not the sunroof and stereo upgrade in Fitchburg Massachusetts? Thank you!

Queen of the Road: Hi there. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!

Keep in mind that the price you pay all depends on the MSRP of the car you’re looking at. If you see a one online or at a dealership, send me the MSRP and I’ll calculate a Selling Price.
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Question: Which car is more reliable a 2010 MAZDA3 I TOURING or 2010 CAMRY LE

Queen of the Road: Hi there. Welcome to AutoBragBlog! It depends, do you plan to keep this car for 10+ years? If so, I would go with the Camry. Toyota Camrys  and Honda Accords are cream of the crop when it comes to reliability. I’m not stating that Mazdas aren’t, but Toyota Camrys have a long history of credible cars and I doubt that their 2010 will disappoint you.

Question From Mabel: New or Used? used
Buy or Sell? buy
Year? 2000
Make? chevy
Model? impala
Automatic or Manual? about automatic
Your Question? how much should the car cost me if it has 120,000 miles on it?

Queen of the Road: Hi Mabel. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!

2000 Chevrolet Imapala Sedan Base prices with 120,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $2,800 (being in above average condition) to $2,200 (being in average condition) and $1,500 (being in below average condition).
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Question From V: I want to buy a pre-owned Audi A8 L with 36,000 miles on it. How much should I pay?

Follow Up Comment: Sorry! The style we are interested in is a 4.2L Quattro LWB.

Queen of the Road: Hi, V. Alright! Let’s get you some Audi wholesale prices!

For a 2006 Audi A8 4.2L Quattro LWB with 36,000 miles, prices range from $39,300 (being in above average condition) to $35,500 (being in average condition) and $31,700 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices.
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Question From Tiffany:  Beautiful car, perfect condition. 29k miles…. also has Nissan Factory Extended Warranty good through 78,200 miles that can be transferred. Has Leather, Automatic Transmission, All options…. looking to sell myself through online or local channels. How much should I sell it for?

Queen of the Road: Hi Tiffany. Welcome to our blog! Here’s what we have for your car…

For a 2004 Nissan 350Z Coupe Touring with 29,000 miles, prices range from $17,800 (being in above average condition) to $16,600 (being in average condition) and $15,500 (being in below average condition). If you are buying from a dealer you should expect to pay +12%-14% more than wholesale. A dealership’s estimated retail prices could range from $17.1k to $19.6k.
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Question From Patrick: What is the average discount off MSRP that dealers settle on? If I ask for 10% off is that too much? What is realistic?

Queen of the Road: Hi Patrick. 10% is very reasonable. According to AutoBrag discount statistics…

For the 2010 Honda Accord,

The Average discount off MSRP: 7.98%
The Maximum discount off MSRP: 9.15%

For the 2009 Honda Accord,

The Average discount off MSRP: 7.98%
The Maximum discount off MSRP: 9.15%

As you can see, you shouldn’t feel an ounce of guilt when asking for more.

Question From Frank: We are considering the purchase of a 2007 Nissan Murano SL. It appears to be in excellent condition, however it has 43,000 miles on it. We plan on keeping the car we buy for 10 years. Do you think this is too much mileage. Thank you

Queen of the Road: Hello Frank. Welcome to AutoBragBlog! I wouldn’t worry about that 2007 having 43,000 miles. Nissans are good cars. They’ll still be running well even after 100k miles.

Question From Vivek: New or Used? Used
Buy or Sell? Sell
Do you price quote for certified pre-owned vehicles (CPO) too ? If yes can you provide the selling price for the following vehicle

2009 toyota Rav4 base
Toyota – certified preowned (CPO) – 7 year 100000 Miles warranty
Miles 17643
Owners – 1

Thanks for your help
Vivek

Queen of the Road: Hi Vivek. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, the car price authority!

2009 Toyota Rav4 2WD 4C prices with 17,650 miles, wholesale prices range from $17,400 (being in above average condition) to $16,700 (being in average condition) and $16,100 (being in below average condition).
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