Lexus RX or Acura MDX - smarter to lease or finance?

[Turtle_Stereo]

I am in Texas and it’s been really hard for me to find a good Lexus or Acura deal in terms of good rebates or reduction on cost at the dealership.

What I’m wondering, and I’ve never done leasing before, is if it’s smarter to lease the car first and then put any of the money I would’ve put due at signing (Like a bigger down payment for financing) Into a CD and get 5 to 6% interest on it if I’m planning on just buying it at the end of the three years anyway?

I’m noticing Lexus RX has not depreciated the last 2 to 3 years, they seem to have rebounded with the redesign from 2023 in terms of retaining more value. The Acura MDX may be less so it might be smarter to buy used there?

I’ve never leased Before in a way where I might want to actually keep the car long-term and I’m not sure what the best approach is to take, I do recognize that I’m not likely to get some amazing deal on a lease like you would with a ioniq five or something similar that’s having big rebates right now.

Big topic for me is safety, I’ve been in some major car accidents, so I’m not really looking for the cheapest car possible, I definitely need something I feel safe in, from both a safety rating and a fatality rate perspective.

[mllcb42]

Both of those probably make more sense to puchase, at least historicaly.

If you want safety and a great lease price, have you considered a Volvo XC90 t8?

[Turtle_Stereo]

Yeah i test drove the xc60 and 90 but noticed their backseat safety ratings were not the best?

[max_g]

@mllcb42

you want safety and a great lease price, have you considered a Volvo XC90 t8?

XC90 leases are great in most states, but not those that charge tax on the selling price. 24m lease just makes that even more painful.

@Turtle_Stereo finance the RX. Only question is how much discount to target on one.

[max_g]

@Turtle_Stereo

What I’m wondering, and I’ve never done leasing before, is if it’s smarter to lease the car first and then put any of the money I would’ve put due at signing (Like a bigger down payment for financing) Into a CD and get 5 to 6% interest on it if I’m planning on just buying it at the end of the three years anyway?

No, because you’d pay tax on the selling price (6.25% of say $60,000) at lease inception and then pay tax on the RV again (6.25% on let’s say $36,000).

[mllcb42]

@max_g

XC90 leases are great in most states, but not those that charge tax on the selling price

I thought i saw TX sales tax.credits available too

[Turtle_Stereo]

Thank you! Thats very helpful to know