Need advice for returning Honda, leasing new one

Ask the Hackrs
1

My 3 year lease on a Honda Civic EX is coming to an end in under 2 months, and I’m a bit confused on the best way to proceed. I’ve read a bunch but still don’t know the best order of doing everything so I can return my 2015 and get in a new (probably also a Civic, maybe EX-T) with similar payments. Should I go to the dealer? Email them? Should I tell them I want to lease again or keep that to myself until I get a good price on the car itself?

I was paying $220 a month with putting very little down (mainly taxes, etc.). I’d like to do that again, but do I just go into a dealer and basically ask for a similar deal? I’m no math genius, so figuring out all the MF stuff is confusing to me. I am a bit intimidated and worried I could get snowed by the sales person. I just want it to be hassle free. Is that possible?

2

Yes it’s possible but you can’t seem to “need” another Honda otherwise the dealer will try to rip you off.

What you should do is make and appointment to have it pre-return inspected to make sure you won’t owe money on tires, dents, dings, etc…

Then while you are there for the inspection, talk to the lease retention sales person who can pull your old lease up and see what they can do.

And you don’t have to lease from the dealer that inspected it. You can take your business elsewhere if they have better deals.

3

From what I understand, the inspection is done by a third party, SGS, and I am to make an appointment with them to come out to me. But, can this be bypassed at all, or is it required? I have low mileage at 17K with no dents or stains, etc. I am hoping to use the little bit of equity I may have and trade it in when I get a new lease.

4

The pre-inspection is not mandatory but is best for peace of mind.

5

So a Honda dealer would do this? Do I need to have the car clean, empty, etc?

6

If you think you have equity, the best is to see what Vroom and Carvana would offer for your car.
They are more generous than Carmax - don’t go there.

Positive equity means you can skip the inspection, forget about the disposition fee, and don’t stress on wear and tear repairs.

With cash in hand with the equity, you are free to approach any dealer and get the best deal!

7

That sounds good, but I can’t be without a car. I’d like to roll right into something new without dealing with not having a car. I realize selling is ideal, but it might not be feasible.

8

What you can do is have Carvana or Vroom schedule the pickup of the old car at the dealership where you will pick up the new car.

That’s what I am doing.

9

Ok. That seems like a decent idea. So then instead of returning the car, you buy it, and don’t have to deal with any turn in.

The timing might get a little tricky, that’s the only thing.