Update! He decided to finance the car at $52k sale price instead of lease - woooh. The money savings difference was just too vast when compared to leasing. I calculated it 3+ times and at minimum it’s $5k cheaper if he finances then sells it in 3 years, and best case it’s $10k+ cheaper (which there’s likelihood given how little he drives and how much value it will retain).
Still an expensive car over MSRP, but a better of the 2 by choosing to finance. So I’m happier now.
Thought I’d update you all! Will leave the below just for context to anyone thinking of leasing this car in this current market in California.
Edit: What is the opposite of a Unicorn? The darker side of car leasing. 
First let me start by saying that this isn’t a car for myself, but my friend. He was dead set on the Civic Type R even knowing they were asking over MSRP, so I just made it my mission to get the lowest price gauge 
. A best of a worst deal. I said we could get him so much more car for what he’s willing to pay, but it wasn’t worth it to him (“worth” not being monetary in this scenario).
Talked to 10+ dealerships (pretty much any one that had this car in California) and most were $10k - 15k+ over MSRP. Two from today was actually $70k before taxes…my god. My 2023 Audi S4 fully loaded w/ performance and other packages is $62k MSRP (& I got it for a few thousand less than that). Sorry, but no. Locations were frustratingly telling me to come in person “because this car is so rare” (even after I told them I live 5-8 hours away), and none were willing to ship which I understand.
After some negotiations and competing offers, was able to get down to $52k. Decided for the one pay upfront option to reduce the money factor beyond the base level - and came to $30,949.21.
One pay saved about $1,500. 7.32% APR vs 5.4% (reduced with one pay)
36mo/10k mi
money factor 0.00225 (0.003050 is standard rate)
