# Deal check 2025 mach e premium w/neg equity (need help) **URL:** \ **Category:** Buy/Finance\ **Tags:** ford, ct\ **Created:** [July 16, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501 "2025-07-16T18:52:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/1 "2025-07-16T18:52:06Z")
![FORD](https://lh-forum-upload.sfo2.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/3X/d/f/df493e50cd404b5c005a6a0378259d3a5d187932.jpeg) Trying to trade a 2016 impala limited ltz with around 5k of neg eq on a mache e, i qualify for the 7500 and additional state 4000 ev rebate. Ive dealt directly with the sales manager the entire time and he has ensured me he wants to earn my business. Vehicle MSRP is 45,590 , during employee pricing it was at 40,500 it seems they’ve applied 3k of the 4k state rebate as a down payment, he said this is a better deal over lower msrp because employee rate was 1.73 vs the .05 im getting now and residual was 2 points lower. Am i crazy to think this isnt really a deal or am i screwed with the equity and have no room to ask for anything ? there also valuing my trade 1k under kbb.. and i know there doing to retail it at close to 10k. Monthly payment would be $614.20, DAS ---
**Author:** ![PyroDave](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/pyrodave/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@PyroDave](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/PyroDave)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/2 "2025-07-16T19:52:56Z")
The general rule is always to treat the two like separate transactions. Find the best deal you can on trade in, and the best deal on the car telling them no trade in, thats usually at two separate places. Once you have that set, you can always. offer the tradein at the value of the other place, but be ready for them not matching it and you doing it separately ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/3 "2025-07-16T19:56:59Z")
So i’ve already screwed myself at this dealership? I figured id avoid playing games and just get it all done at once, i’ve been there twice so far to have the used car managers check out the car, i figured id have an “x” factor since they 14 or so mach e on the lot, i chose the least desirable one with the standard range battery and no options other then being a premium, how do you feel about him saying this is at invoice and the MF/RV is better than the previous employee pricing at 40k msrp ---
**Author:** ![max\_g](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/max_g/32/9426_2.png) [@max\_g](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/max_g)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/4 "2025-07-16T20:00:30Z")
> [@ld187](#): > > Trying to trade a 2016 impala limited ltz with around 5k of neg eq on a mache e The Mach E is far from the most hackable EV right now. Check out #Signed Deals & Tips > [@ld187](#): > > i qualify for the 7500 That’s only on a purchase. It’s irrelevant on a lease where the lease cash is available to all. I just signed a car with $10k+ lease cash and my non-eligibility for the federal $7,500 is completely irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/5 "2025-07-16T20:06:33Z")
Yes, its been very hard to find comps on these. and when you do its like well how the hell can i compare or have room to haggle when i have negative equity, very defeating. The local chevy dealership by me refuses to negotiate, they believe they’d be better off holding on to the equinoxEV and wait for the demand to go up than haggle, tried to pawn off a LT BlazerEV courtesy vehicle on me cause he knew i was in a tough spot (Monthly was still $500+). I dont even know where to begin to obtain a payment hopefully less than $400 in my current situation. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/6 "2025-07-16T21:35:33Z")
![IMG_3758](https://lh-forum-upload.sfo2.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/3X/9/d/9d814aa740daf549bd153e482bdc69065ef8115d.png) Is this how the deal should actually shake out ? Or is ChatGPT being unrealistic I had it analyze the image directly ---
**Author:** ![paranoidgarliclover](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/paranoidgarliclover/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@paranoidgarliclover](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/paranoidgarliclover)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/7 "2025-07-17T20:09:30Z")
I think it might be worth taking a step back, learning to use the LH calculator, and taking one thing at a time. I don’t follow Ford deals very closely, but I don’t know if employee pricing would affect the RV. Even if it did, RV is non-negotiable. You are only getting less than $700 off of MSRP pre-incentive/pre-rebate. You posted on one broker’s thread; that broker has a LH calculator w/ a Mach-e (I don’t recall if it’s the same trim) that shows a much larger discount. So that’s one thing to consider. I don’t think that the negative equity itself means you don’t have bargaining room, but the dealer may adjust for any additional discount off MSRP by undervaluing your trade in (of which you should get additional quotes to see if the trade in value is competitive). Is there a reason why you’re looking to lease for 48 mos? You may wish to check the RV drop from 24 mo and 36 mos vs. 48. A longer lease term dilutes the value of rebates/incentives, to a certain extent. Also, keep in mind that you are paying $31K, just to give the car back. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/8 "2025-07-17T20:47:37Z")
> [@paranoidgarliclover](#): > > Is there a reason why you’re looking to lease for 48 mos? You may wish to check the RV drop from 24 mo and 36 mos vs. 48. A longer lease term dilutes the value of rebates/incentives, to a certain extent. This was put by the dealer I wanted 24/12 , I’ve replied to him what my wishes are, goal payment, terms , etc meet them or fk off . I’m moving on. To many politics involved in getting a freaking car. I’ll have to accept staying with the inpala. My brain and numbers do not compute , I am far to adhd to do hacking on top of having a new born child and working full time. This stuff is a job in it of itself . it was a learning experience but not for me ---
**Author:** ![SteveB25](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/steveb25/32/93607_2.png) [@SteveB25](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/SteveB25)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/9 "2025-07-18T00:30:01Z")
You are the perfect candidate for a broker then, well worth the fee if you don’t have the time. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/10 "2025-07-17T11:46:12Z")
So after my last post it’s clear I should target a different vehicle than the Mach E in my current situation . With everyone’s advice I’ve targeted what I believe is a hackable vehicle and maybe someone can talk me through it . 24 ACURA ZDX for my zip code 06605 seems to have the following incentives and maybe someone can confirm 2024 ZDX Captive Lease Cash $10,850 2024 ZDX Conquest Offer ($4,000) EV Tax Credit ($7,500) 2024 ZDX Regional Captive Lease Cash ($2,300) I would qualify for an additional 4,000 state rebate voucher that can be applied at point of sale. That would be a total incentive of 28650 , they have 2 units msrp of 70,450 for an A-spec and 74850 for a type S I have a trade with about 5k negative equity , my target goal payment is sub 400 for 24/12k will do 10k miles , first payment due at signing only . iOn top of the incentives what should my target discount be on the unit to arrive here maybe someone can help with a calc sales tax is 6.35 not sure what there doc fees are How should approach them ask them for a quote with these incentives applied and there most aggressive discount on top of that the. Hit them with the trade details ? ---
**Author:** ![jm020](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/jm020/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@jm020](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jm020)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/11 "2025-07-17T11:50:02Z")
Can you post your best attempt at a calculator with your target deal? It should include target discount based on what you see in this forum, the MF/RV/Incentives available (and that you qualify for) based on your zip, estimated tax/dealer fees, negative equity added to the appropriate line in the calculator, and tax rate in your state. It’s a lot easier for folks to give feedback by posting a calc, otherwise you’re asking folks to do the math for you. Edit: You can look at signed forum for posts in your state to get an idea of expected gov fees & doc fees. Re: How to approach them: the first step is building your target deal as I mentioned above. Your target discount should be based on what you see in broker listings, signed forum, signed database (will need to sign up as a super supporter). Once you have established your target deal ($ XXX / Month with $YYY DAS, with recommended DAS amount keeping to a minimum, such as just 1st payment), simply email/call dealers and make offers. Something to the effect of: "I’m interested in Stock XYZ on a 24 Month lease with 12k miles. If you can get me to $ XXX / Month with YYY DAS, I’ll be ready to sign tomorrow. My Zip is XXXXX, and In order to get there I qualify for [List conditional rebates you qualify for like conquest]. "You will also have to explain that you have a trade, provide the vin, miles, payoff, etc.. With all of this said, you may want to just hire a broker. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/12 "2025-07-17T12:00:09Z")
> **[Leasehackr Calculator - Hack your next lease | Leasehackr](https://leasehackr.com/calculator?acqFee_check=true&acq_fee=595&bmw_demo_25=true&dealer_fee=85&demo_mileage=0&disp_fee=0&dp=0&exp_rv=0&fin_apr=0&fin_dp=0&fin_ps_rebate=0&fin_rebate=0&fin_sp=70450&fin_tax=0&fin_taxed_fee=0&fin_term=60&fin_untaxed_fee=0&gov_fee=667&keep_term=60&lease_das=7104&lease_result_mode=true&make=Acura&memo=2024%2BAcura%2BZDX%2BAWD%2Bw%2FA-Spec%2BPackage%0A.00105%2BMF%2Band%2B45%25%2BRV%0A.00120%2BMF%2Band%2B41%25%2BRV%0A%247500%2BEV%2Blease%2Bcredit%0A%244000%2BConguest%0A%242300%2BRegional%2BCaptive%2BLease%2BOffer%2Bexp.%2B06%2F30%2F2025%0A%246000%2BDealer%2B%2F%2BLease%2B%2F%2BFinance%2BCash%2Bexp.%2B06%2F30%2F2025%0A%249650%2BCaptive%2BLease%2BOffer%2Bexp.%2B06%2F30%2F2025&mf=0.00105&miles=7500&monthlyTax_radio=true&months=24&msd=0&msrp=70450&onepay=true&pretax_monPmt=0&rebate=0&resP=45&sales_price=46963.25&sales_tax=9.75&service_fee=0&taxed_inc=11500&tradein=0&untaxed_inc=0)** > > Score the best deal with real-time lease and finance data on demand and the ultimate lease/finance calculator trusted by America’s expert leasing community. Would this be a comparable calc to start with ? I would just edit the miles and try to adjust everything else accordingly ---
**Author:** ![nyccarguy](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/nyccarguy/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@nyccarguy](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/nyccarguy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/13 "2025-07-17T12:05:58Z")
There are a few brokers here who will make your ZDX lease very simple. However, it seems like you want to lease from a CT dealer in order to get the state tax credit? Go to the brokers’ pages on marketplace and put together a target deal based on the current month’s money factor, residual value, current incentives, MSRP and selling price. A few things to keep in mind. Dealers in CT have extremely high doc fees which you need to be aware of when you email your offer to a specific dealer on a specific unit. Sales tax on vehicles in CT with a selling price over $50,000 is 7.75%, not 6.35%. Depending on the town’s mill rate you live in, you will get a property tax bill based on the vehicle’s $70K plus MSRP which will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000 per year for 2 years. That’s going to add $60 per month to your effective payment. On a side note, why the $5K in negative equity? What kind of vehicle? How much longer is left on the lease? You are adding $150 per month to your effective payment. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/14 "2025-07-17T12:13:33Z")
> [@nyccarguy](#): > > On a side note, why the $5K in negative equity? What kind of vehicle? How much longer is left on the lease? You are adding $150 per month to your effective payment It’s a 2016 Chevy Impala limited ltz with 94k miles I purchased it around 2022 for around 15k ,kbb is only 4400 and I owe 9400 that is the whole reason I’m trying to get out of this. The values on this car have fluctuated wildly . I figured getting out before it hits 100k would give the dealer the most opportunity to be able to retail this car thus giving me a better chance of getting above blue book. Manahiem wholesale is about 3300 on the car or at least that’s what a ford dealer showed . The car is in great cosmetic shape for its age , needs 4 tires and brakes credit at the time when I bought wasn’t great and I got it through carvana. So that explains why I owe so much I think around 12-13% apr ---
**Author:** ![mllcb42](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/mllcb42/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@mllcb42](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mllcb42)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/15 "2025-07-17T12:56:33Z")
> [@ld187](#): > > iOn top of the incentives what should my target discount be on the unit to arrive here maybe someone can help with a calc sales tax is 6.35 not sure what there doc fees are You’re doing this backwards. You don’t start with a randomly selected monthly payment and then back calculate a discount to get there, then hope that somehow informs a good deal or not. Forget your budget for a moment. It isn’t relevant to working out your target deal. Research the shared deals here to establish a strong pre-incentive discount. Take _that_ number and run it through the leasing equations based on your particular situation to figure put what a good deal for your situation actually is. With that established, _now_ you can compare against your budget to see if it is a vehicle that meets your needs. ---
**Author:** ![nyccarguy](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/nyccarguy/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@nyccarguy](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/nyccarguy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/16 "2025-07-17T12:57:25Z")
It stinks that you are that much underwater on an almost 10 year old car. Unfortunately, I don’t think trying to chase a deal to lease a $70K electric SUV is your answer. If the car is running well and you’ve kept up on the maintenance, I wouldn’t worry about the value. Have the tires and brakes done. Look at what the owner’s manual says about 100K maintenance that’s due. You might need a coolant flush or a spark plug change and maybe new brake fluid and transmission fluid. Keep driving your Impala. ---
**Author:** ![ld187](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ld187/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ld187](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ld187)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/17 "2025-07-17T13:02:38Z")
> [@nyccarguy](#): > > don’t think trying to chase a deal to lease a $70K electric SUV I’m not set on this vehicle at all, or any for that matter , I initially tried on an equinox ev , dealer wasn’t trying to play ball , then a Mach e , same thing . ( kept evs in mind because of state 4000$ rebate. Figured that would help wash the negative ) Everyone on those posts said target the incentives so that’s where I came up with this one . It seems I am not competent enough to “hack” thought I’d give it a shot. ---
**Author:** ![jm020](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/jm020/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@jm020](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jm020)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/18 "2025-07-17T13:21:54Z")
You need to take a step back and learn to build target calculators first, before reaching out to dealers. This is the only way to realistically see what vehicles could make sense financially given your circumstances. You mention equinox EV that you moved on from because “dealer didn’t want to play ball.” However, I think you’re jumping around too much. Sure, it’s possible the dealer wasn’t discounting much, but without knowing your engagement model and what deal you asked for, you likely just wasted time and made an assumption that the equinox won’t work. Stop reaching out to dealers until you’ve actually established target deals on a per vehicle basis. Start one at a time. This will tell you what you can realistically acquire each vehicle at. Back to the ZDX – Your calculator you posted above has a 33% dealer discount + another 11,500 in incentives. You seem to be partially overlapping the two. Put all lease incentives (dealer cash, conquest, EV rebate, etc ) in the incentives field. Separately, research what attainable pre-incentive discount others are getting on the ZDX and put that number in the discount field. Hint: this should not be 33% and (I haven’t looked in a while) likely closer to 10%. You also have the calc set for 7500 months but indicated you need 12. Research the exact RV, MF for the terms and exact miles you need in your zip, and plug that into the calculator. ---
**Author:** ![max\_g](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/max_g/32/9426_2.png) [@max\_g](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/max_g)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/19 "2025-07-17T13:48:21Z")
Always check #Signed Deals & Tips to see what pre-incentive discount percentage you should be targeting. Also check out the Lexus RZ. Very hackable right now. Run your offer by the forum first. Then be prepared to make 10-20 offers before one is accepted if you want to hack ---
**Author:** ![9benua](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/9benua/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@9benua](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/9benua)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501/20 "2025-07-17T13:59:40Z")
Do you have enough cash on hand to cover your negative equity? If yes, sell your car privately on FB marketplace. [Next page](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/deal-check-2025-mach-e-premium-w-neg-equity-need-help/694501.md?page=2)