First post on this forum, any assistance is appreciated. Three years ago, I leased a Mazda CX 90. The lease is now coming to conclusion. Because I am no longer able to drive and we may wish to keep the car, how to proceed? If I purchase the car and my name is on the title we must purchase insurance for me. Within the next few months, I must surrender my California drivers license due to a disability. I have had no dialogue with the dealership. Thought it better to ask the experts first.
I’m a bit confused- if you are no longer able to drive, but you want to keep the car? Who will drive it?
Is it someone in the same family? That person will need to purchase insurance for the vehicle. In CA, you can do family transfer w/o taxes- just re-titling fee.
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You don’t need to talk to the dealership. Get your buyout price from Mazda Financial Services (or whoever your lessor is) first. And confirm if it needs sales tax or not.
Then get the market value or the car via kbb, Carvana, carmax, etc.
That way you’ll know whether it’s even worth buying it out.
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I hope I’m doing this correctly. I’m awful at forums. My wife does all the driving. In actual fact I have never driven the car. apologies. I know nothing about the transfer. Thanks for the help.
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Thank you. I think we will be fine with the equity. Mazda financial services is correct and I will contact them immediately. Thanks again.
When you buy-out the lease, you’ll receive the released title from MFS. At that point you have to retitle the car and pay the sales tax anyway, you could (for example) title it into your spouse/partner’s name at that point when you are surrendering your license for a non-driver ID. Then you wouldn’t need to be on the insurance.
If you want to buy it and sell it to a family member, CA allows you to recover the sales tax in 10 days. You will need to retitle to yourself first, pay the tax and then “sell” to the family member and apply to recover the tax.
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Thank you. Surrendering my drivers license is not the best day of my life but any attempt at driving is completely out of the question. I’m not all together clear on by the vehicle and resell it to a family member.
You mentioned on the other thread that you have positive equity in the car. Which CX-90 model do you have? My memory is that the PHEVs had inflated RVs, which means that it would very unlikely for you to have positive equity.
Thank you.
I have the mild hybrid variety. CX 90 turbo premium plus.
A major issue for us is my ability to walk around a car lot or sit still for a conversation at a dealership.
Sorry for the redundant post. We are open to suggestions. This process is going to be very difficult for me. Surrendering the license isn’t the major ordeal. It’s being able to get around and sit still while trying to absorb the details of a conversation.
You can retain a broker here Marketplace to do all the legwork for you. Most dealers will do the deal remotely where you sign everything on computer from the comfort of your home. Most will not have a problem delivering the car to you as well or sending an Uber to pick up your wife.
@paranoidgarliclover is completely correct about pricing out your car as most likely the market value is below your residual. Even if the delta isn’t huge, consider that the warranty might be running out and it will fall on your wife to fix and maintain it.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Thank you so much. So happy I found this website and a forum with good people.
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Not an experience hacker, but why do you need to go to the dealership? If you buy out the car, will you be taking out a loan?
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Let us know which brand(s) you’re considering and we can help you select a good broker or even set you up directly with a dealer who speaks our language and will treat you properly.
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Yes, getting a car loan from the credit union was the plan. Now looking around the marketplace.
Well, we like the Mazda however, as an alternative, probably Honda or Toyota would be the gold standard. Thank you.
Then why do you need to go the dealership? I think you can buy the car out directly from Mazda Financial.
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Thank you. I mistakenly assumed it would be necessary to visit the dealership in order to complete all documentation. The marketplace looks attractive. The warranty issue and my wife’s ability to deal with repairs is a point not lost on us.
If you’re leaning towards a Toyota check @Cody_Carter website, sign up and see what offers he has and you can do everything on the website to secure a car… don’t contact his dealership as pricing is only for the website and contact him directly. 
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Thank you will do