Hi all,
my first post ever. thanks for being here!
I am interested in leasing a car, living in Miami. Do not intend to drive it very often. The Trax looked like a good lease however most posts are for leases outside of Florida.
Can anyone suggest a dealer that has knowledgeable sales people in the lease department and/or a dealer that offers a good “deal”?
thank you! this will be my first lease and after having lived in NYC for years…my first car in ages.
Bernadette
Start with the Leasing 101 link up top. It is very helpful to read through.
Thank you. I appreciate the clarity in your list. And will apply it.
My question stems from several of the posts I have read on this site which allude to it being difficult to find a “good” transparent dealer in Florida. Many of the posts refer to offers in California. So if anyone has had a good experience with a Florida or specifically South Florida dealer I would appreciate learning who that dealer is.
Sure you’ve seen my post. I’m looking right near Miami (inside Miami I supposedly even worse).
These dealers are horrid and the “volume” ones are way worse. When I shopped in PA for the same deal it was much much easier.
Also, the $700+ documentation fee basically makes any car $500 more expensive in Florida than most other states.
So you would rather base your lease on working with a “good” dealer over getting a vehicle you like/want?
No, I’d rather get what I want. I am just saying, I’m finding them difficult and not really willing to give deals, which considering the $700 doc fee is insane. Maybe it’ll get better near end of month?
For example.
They could give you a car 10% off MSRP just like any other state and then hit you with $700 doc fee. Compared to most states of 100-200.
So, on a 20k car you only really get 7.5% off.
I have one deal but as you’ll see in my post the math isn’t adding up…
I was replying to the OP. She should find the make/model she wants first before trying to find a dealership.
I live Florida, but also lived in California and I can tell you the Car Dealers in Florida are terrible. You need to know all your numbers and use the lease hacker calculator or have a calculator handy if you like to deal in person. I am currently looking to lease a car right now in FL and I had caught 3 dealers inflating MF and RV. Thats why the #'s that dealers here give you usually dont add up. Others want $3,000 and $5,000 down on a lease? LOL. I tell them that I dont put cash down on a lease they basically try to educate me. I had a dealer which I trusted, however they turned bad lately, I guess its contagious. Just look for what you want, but be ready to fight the price down, lol.
That would be a good thing, but how is that even possible?
You can expand your search to other states and easily fly one way to pick your car up with $300-500 in savings.
Ask the moderators at edmunds car forums for the current(they change every month) Money Factor and Residual Value of the specific model you are looking for and use the Leasehackr Calculator or any other auto leasing calculator. Thats how I verify the #'s. There will always be small differences in totals, but a $3 or $5 in monthly payment is understandable.
I was just stating that dealers do not change RVs, as you stated. They can markup MF.
Wouldn’t that add a lot of miles to the car?
Also, anyone have any thoughts on my other post about why the monthly payment isn’t matching?
Sure it will, but if you find a car 200-300-500 miles away - will it make a difference over 36 month lease?
Yes, this is excatly what I was referring to.
And yes, absolutely I’d rather FIRST determine who to work with THEN see their inventory.
I am not looking for a Volvo or BMW which are my first choices. I don’t need to drive that much (travel oversees a lot, use the metro rail, bike ride, uber and live/play/work in close proximity) and am more focused on my budget and the safety of the car. The goal is to find a lease for under $200 for a car that I like…Fiat, Trax…whatever.
And absolutely character matters. I have no patience for a con, or working with halfwits.
it does not have to been an either/or zero sum option.
and Yes, working with a “good” dealer is the first choice to make.
character matters.
thank you. very helpful. will follow up as per your post.
Yes, thank you this is exactly what I am considering.
Like the idea a lot.
Ask @CDJRElliott about Jeep? Maybe he can ship it for you. New Compass (or Renegade) is nice and made in Italy, almost FIAT 
Oh, completely forgot - they also charge crazy dealer fee LOL. But maybe he can get you a good deal.