You got the specific answer already. Generically: a third party is anyone who is neither you nor the captive (lessee / lessor). If you leased a car from XYZ Financial Services, anyone who isn’t you or XYZ is a third party. Where it can get confusing are captives that belong to the same parent company (e.g. Nissan / Infiniti), who can usually buy each other’s cars.
Some large dealership groups who own multiple brands may facilitate a buy-out on one brand when you are buying another, but if Audi of Venus doesn’t also own a BMW store, not happening. You can search other threads to see where some have had success doing this, I would say it’s more an exception than the rule.
Alternatively, sell the bmw to a first or eligible party, then buy the Audi. If in a state with sales tax credit you’ll loose that as it’s two separate entities.
However, if your state doesn’t have that then it’s a very good option - shop around, for the best deal on your Audi and bmw ‘trade’/sale.
Probably worth verifying with the bank there to confirm. We have seen dealers, particularly ones that have a vested interest in you not going to a third party dealer, give bad information.
We have also seen carmax go back and forth before too. There was a big hoopla with TFS a few months back with some carmax locations saying no TFS and some Toyota dealers saying no TFS, and then it ended up not being the case.
Just called Mazda Financial Services (Toyota Motor Credit Corp - TMCC). Rep. said Mazda allows third party buyout. I am in market to sell my new CX-5 lease to CARMAX.
Wanted to make sure CARMAX still buys from MAZDA.
