So a “friend” of mine leased a 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo for his significant other 2 weeks ago. Long story short, marriage was already on the rocks at the time but in those two weeks, the ish hit the fan. Marriage is done. Car is under my friends name, not the spouse. It’s a 36 month lease, and only 2 weeks into it.
Payments are $342.99 and DAS was $4,000 (driveoffs plus $1k in cap cost reduction to keep payment under $400).
MSRP was $39,235
Sale price was: $34,331
Current payoff is: $33,679
Two weeks old and still on temp tags, 200 miles.
Car was tinted and dashcam was hardwired.
How would you walk away from this, taking the least amount of loss?
Turo’ing it to cover the payment+insurance is a thought.
That would most likely violate the lease agreement and cause more headaches. I’d stay away from this option unless you absolutely have to and are willing to take the risk.
Go get the current buyout price, and shop the car buyers for the prices they will buy it at. That way your “friend” will know how much underwater he is. Then he can decide.
Otherwise, keep it and ride it out… though I can also understand if he wants to get rid of it at any/all cost.
I think your friend should work with their attorney handling the divorce. A lease is a liability that most interpretation would consider community property to be divvy’d up in the divorce proceeding. It doesn’t matter whose name is on the lease, since they were married at the time the lease was signed, the property/liability and access to the vehicle is held by both.
It doesn’t make sense for your friend to try and unwind the lease right now.
Work with a family law attorney that can help “them” navigate this.
But, assuming “they” need to really unload it, same rules apply - lease transfer (if allowed), sell it (if allowed) etc. They should expect to take an L on it though.
^^ this, especially if (divorce) paperwork has already been filed. It would likely be best to sit tight with the vehicle, and consult with an attorney.
Tell your lawyer about it - but first try to sell it off or keep the car. Lawyer option is nuclear depending on your state law your friend might be able to get the “liability” shared
sir I’d like to request a lawyer.