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Money factor for SETF lease

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by rschulzejr, Feb 15, 2011.

  1. rschulzejr

    rschulzejr New Member

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    I have a Toyota that is coming up for the conclusion of its 3 year lease. My wife likes the car and would like to lease another of the same model. The car is leased through Southeast Toyota Finance. According to the residual value quoted on my lease contract (about $22K) and the actual value of the care (Blue Book $28K) I should be able to do a positive equity trade for a new lease. In my conversations with Southeast Toyota Finance (SETF) however, they refuse to tell me the money factor they use to calculate lease payments. Knowing that there are many moving parts to a lease (and that dealers thrive on using confusion to take advantage of buyers), I would like to obtain as many of these facts possible before going to the dealership.

    Can anyone offer any advice as to how to best go about rolling over a leased Toyota into a new lease on another new Toyota? It would seem to me that knowing the money factor would be a basic part of the equation.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why can't you treat it like a purchase, email a few dealers and get the best deal?
     
  3. bretaz

    bretaz Member

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    What is so special about this 3 year old prius? I find it very hard to believe that this Prius would be worth $28,000.00. I find it hard to believe it would be even worth $22,000.00.
     
  4. TrailRider

    TrailRider Junior Member

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    Need more details about your Prius, miles, packages, etc. Agree with the other poster who noted that a 3 year old Prius is not going to be worth $28k let alone $22k. Though, maybe I am missing some thing??

    I'm looking at purchasing a certified used 09 Prius with 40k miles for $15500 (though, it isn't one of the higher packages).
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    OP: your argument is not going to sway the dealer. Giggle -- maybe.
    The residual value (RV) on your current car is a fiction that Toyota decided on 3 years ago when they sent cars to dealers for leases. Today is a new day with todays RV. You can no more use the 2007 RV than you can use the 2007 money factor in arguing about a new lease arrangement.

    Understand the parts if not the math behind the lease monthly payment:
    1. Depreciation = RV = loss of value of the car over time, *set* by Toyota
    2. Car cost = what the dealer will sell the car to you for
    3. Fees = fees
    4. Interest rate (apr) = money factor * 2400.

    Negotiate 2 - 4.
    The best apr in the car loan market is about 3%;
    The best car purchase price is 5-10% off msrp;
    The best fees are 0, although I gather that Toyota charges around a $625 lease fee the dealer must collect, but some dealers will try to set a higher number and keep the difference. I also gather that state title and licensing goes through a dealer in leases. Refusing to disclose money factor is the same as a dealer refusing to tell me how much my purchase price is, and only agreeing to say how much the loan monthly payment and duration will be. Find a dealer who does not treat you like a sucker. All dealers will try to give you a good deal on one part and shaft you on another. It is easy to see if the dealer says "$1000 off msrp, but $1500 in fees," you are paying more than (msrp and zero fees). Knowing how much a difference in money factor is worth is harder for most people. For a ballpark number use $750 for every one percent. Since 3% apr is about the best isolated competitive rate available for excellent credit (and 6 - 8% for poorer credit ratings) you do the following as an example: if the dealer offers a money rate equal to 4% for your excellent credit, you know they have added $750 to the total end cost, or another $21/month to the monthly payment (750/36).

    The fact that you are returning a lease car has no effect, other than you giving the dealer the advantage in knowing that you are going to be without a car from a certain date.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good luck!
     
  7. rschulzejr

    rschulzejr New Member

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    Although I have had 4 Priuses, the Toyota that I have leased for my wife is a Highlander Limited. I would like to roll it over into another lease for another Highlander or even a hybrid Highlander, but the dealer won't budge off msrp for the hybrid Highlander, so I'll probably go for the regular Highlander. Would appreciate any advice on hybrid Highlanders.