# Letter from Dealer - what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask the Hackrs\ **Tags:** ny\ **Created:** [May 26, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989 "2021-05-26T03:04:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sd105](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/sd105/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@sd105](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/sd105)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/1 "2021-05-26T03:04:01Z")
I am 20 months into my 36 month lease of my 2019 Honda Civic Si Sedan (12k/36mo). The car is in excellent shape and has just under 15k miles on it. I have 16 payments remaining at $257/mo = $4,112 total remaining. The buyout initially agreed upon at the end of the lease term was $15,390. I am yet to get the car appraised at this time. I received a letter from my dealer recently and due to the current car market, they want to buy out my lease, also giving me the option to lease another vehicle through them (or not). This is my first lease, what should I be doing here? I wouldn’t mind dumping the lease, as I’d really like to get into an SUV or Truck. Should I sell through Carvana or something? I don’t have a great understanding of how to figure out where I’m at in terms of equity and the best way to move forward. Any advice for someone new to this is appreciated- thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![forbs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/forbs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@forbs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/forbs)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/2 "2021-05-26T03:05:55Z")
1. Dealer letters don’t mean jack 2. Get Carmax, Carvana pricing. 3. Can you live without this car? A replacement car is very expensive right now. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeye81](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/hawkeye81/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Hawkeye81](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Hawkeye81)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/3 "2021-05-26T03:39:41Z")
They send those letters to everyone. I get emails from dealers I’ve leased from a decade ago saying the used car market is HOT and they want to buy my Audi A4 from 10 years ago. I sold it back them 8 years ago ---
**Author:** ![jeisensc](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jeisensc/32/224821_2.png) [@jeisensc](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jeisensc)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/4 "2021-05-26T03:42:46Z")
> [@sd105](#): > > I received a letter from my dealer recently and due to the current car market, they want to buy out my lease, also giving me the option to lease another vehicle through them (or not). You have been _marketed-to_. Imagine it said, “we want to buy your 1904 Model T” and recycle it with the rest of the junk mail. Keep driving your lease. ---
**Author:** ![sd105](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/sd105/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@sd105](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/sd105)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/5 "2021-05-26T03:43:42Z")
Given the current market and also the fact I can be without this car, do you think it would be wise to get it appraised and see where I am at in terms of equity? ---
**Author:** ![Blueapple](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/blueapple/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Blueapple](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Blueapple)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:52am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/6 "2021-05-26T03:52:28Z")
Never hurts to get it appraised (and of course, call Honda Financial to get the payoff amount). I not into predictions, but I imagine you have quite a bit of positive equity on a '19 Civic with 15k miles. Check the usuals–Carvana, CarMax, Vroom, etc. to get quotes. Feel free to get one from your local dealer too if you want. If you can be without the car until the new car supply gets back up to speed (who knows–6 months? longer?) then you should seriously considering selling then waiting to buy or lease when things cool down. ---
**Author:** ![Sonic19](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/sonic19/32/169978_2.png) [@Sonic19](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Sonic19)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/7 "2021-05-26T03:54:33Z")
> [@Blueapple](#): > > (and of course, call Honda Financial to get the payoff amount). Dealertrack portal. Right here, 60 seconds and you’ll have your payoff. [https://payoffahfc.dealertrack.com](https://payoffahfc.dealertrack.com) Can’t imagine you wouldn’t have at least a couple grand equity. ---
**Author:** ![sd105](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/sd105/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@sd105](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/sd105)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/8 "2021-05-26T04:01:25Z")
Thank you for your response. Sorry to ask a lot of questions, but I am new to this. Let’s say there is positive equity- I would then need to take care of the payoff amount through Honda Financial Services, and then once I own the car, I can sell through one of the third parties (CarMax, etc.)? By doing this, isn’t this technically breaking the lease contract? ---
**Author:** ![Sonic19](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/sonic19/32/169978_2.png) [@Sonic19](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Sonic19)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/9 "2021-05-26T04:06:11Z")
Carmax, Carvana, Vroom, etc. would buy the car out from AHFC and send you the equity. There’s been some reports of Honda stopping 3rd party buyouts but nothing confirmed there. Just an exchange of paperwork. ---
**Author:** ![Pad18](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/pad18/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Pad18](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Pad18)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:07am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/10 "2021-05-26T04:07:06Z")
Assuming you will sell it to CarMax, they will handle the payment directly to Honda, and will send you the difference amount that you agreed to sell it to them. Hence the equity … ---
**Author:** ![sd105](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/sd105/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@sd105](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/sd105)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/11 "2021-05-26T04:21:18Z")
Thanks everyone- does the lessee typically contact the dealer before doing something like this? I want to make sure going this route of leaving a lease early won’t get me hit with any fees, effect my credit, etc. It seems by going this route, there is no benefit in it for the dealer unless you sell to them and/or lease another car. ---
**Author:** ![Sonic19](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/sonic19/32/169978_2.png) [@Sonic19](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Sonic19)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:23am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/12 "2021-05-26T04:23:53Z")
No work with the Honda dealer required. Get your payoff quote at the link above and run your car through the Carmax,etc. websites. If the equity is good enough for you, begin the process with them. There are threads reviewing the processes with all the online dealers if you have any questions. You can also ask your local dealer if they’d like to match the best offer you’ve got to save yourself a little headache. ---
**Author:** ![Blueapple](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/blueapple/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Blueapple](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Blueapple)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:26am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/13 "2021-05-26T04:26:32Z")
Things could be different with Honda, but just got rid of my Chevy to CarMax last week. The GM Financial person on the phone even admitted the process is the exact same if I sell it to original Chevy dealer, another Chevy dealer, a non-Chevy dealer, or a place like CarMax or Carvana. The finance/business office wherever you sell it will do all the paperwork and cut you a check. The most you’ll have to do is give them an account number for when they talk to Honda. ---
**Author:** ![jbrew74](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/jbrew74/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@jbrew74](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jbrew74)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/14 "2021-05-26T11:55:57Z")
Hard to believe that people actually fall for this garbage, those letters are a scam to get your car and over charge you on another one. Every dealer wants your trade because they will manipulate the next “deal” and you will get screwed. ---
**Author:** ![trism](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/trism/32/26973_2.png) [@trism](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/trism)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:03pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/15 "2021-05-26T12:03:13Z")
Dear [first\_name]: Due to overwhelming used vehicle demand there’s never been a better time to get out of your [veh\_yr] [make] [model]. Even if you don’t lease a new [tgt\_make], come in and have your vehicle appraised by one of our on-site used vehicle buyers. We’re ready to put thousands of dollars into **your** pocket, or you could drive away with a new [tgt\_model] for less than your current payment. What are you waiting for? ---
**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:** [May 26, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/16 "2021-05-26T12:09:27Z")
> [@sd105](#): > > By doing this, isn’t this technically breaking the lease contract? No, you’re both mutually agreeing to end the contract ---
**Author:** ![Siejammy](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/siejammy/32/4245_2.png) [@Siejammy](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Siejammy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/17 "2021-05-26T12:41:23Z")
The dealer I leased my Infiniti Q60 from is so thirsty to buy out leases they have employed some kind of call center who harasses me weekly about selling them the car. I keep reminding them that I sold it a year into the lease term but used car mania seems to be making simple thinking difficult. This market is truly crazy. ---
**Author:** ![themachine](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/themachine/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@themachine](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/themachine)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/18 "2021-05-26T16:56:54Z")
Yeah but have you considered selling your Q60? ---
**Author:** ![alphawave7](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/alphawave7/32/115615_2.png) [@alphawave7](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/alphawave7)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/19 "2021-05-26T17:03:31Z")
We can put man on the moon (supposedly), but the high-tech system that is tracking my mileage and sending this data to VWoA (reminding me to ‘service’ my Jetta) appears kaput. They sent me one of these letters for my 2015 Jetta, with 247,000 miles on the odo. Said I could get $7500 for my 2015, kbb says $1500. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![sd105](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/sd105/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@sd105](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/sd105)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989/20 "2021-05-26T18:00:08Z")
Thanks to all of you for your responses- I appreciate them. Definitely staying away from the dealer, but I’ll get an appraisal from Carvana/Vroom and see what I want to do from there based on the value. I am trying to find the threads on selling to Carvana/Third parties, but cannot find- if someone can guide me or give me a link, that would be great! [Next page](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/letter-from-dealer-what-to-do/362989.md?page=2)