PLEASE HELP! Should I take 2019 Acura ILX Premium deal (or try for one with a 2019 Mercedez-Benz A Class)?

[miranna]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been looking at cars every day for two weeks, and I am so grateful I found this forum.

After being abroad for years (no credit, so my Tier 1 brother is cosigning), I am trying to lease my first car. I debated getting an SUV (Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota C-HR) or entry-level luxury sedan.

I was quoted this for a 2019 Acura ILX Premium: pay $2,000 when I picked up the car and pay $233.52 ($256.29 with tax) for 35 months for 15,000 miles/year OR $210.91 ($231.47 with tax) for 35 months for 10,000 miles/year:

<$2,000 Cash Down Plus $233.52 ($256.29 with tax) for 35 months for 15,000 miles/year>
MSRP: 28,645
Discount: 6,250
Selling Price: 22,395
Doc Fee: 85
Aquisition Fee: 595
License Fee: 313
Gross Cap Cost: 22,990
Cash Down: 2,000* (I was told that this was 1,000 out of pocket and 1,000 first month payment and fees)
Total Rebates: 1,500* (The calculator doesn’t work when I put it down as taxed or untaxed incentives but I put it in untaxed for now)
Amt Applied Upfront: 949.96
Total Cap Reduction: 2,550.04
Net Cap Cost: 20,439.96
Residual %: .52
Residual Amount: 14,895.40
Mileage Program: 15,000
Term: 36
Rate/Money Factor: .00225
Advanced Payment: 256.29
Upfront Charges: 693.67
Intitial Payment: 3,500* (I was told I only needed to pay 2,000 when I picked up the car–I’m guessing this is the rebate?)
Due on Delivery: 2,000
Base Monthly Payment: 233.52
Monthly Tax: 22.77
Payment: 256.29
Grand Total : 2000+233.52*35=10,173.20 (10,970.15 with monthly tax)

But the Leasehackr Calculator says:
Pre-tax Monthly Payment: $205
Monthly Payment with Tax: $220
Drive-Off: $2,862

• First Month Payment: $220
• Down Payment: $2,000
• Upfront Fees: $485
• Upfront Taxes: $156
  Disposition Fee: $0
  Total Lease Cost: $10,175
  Leasehackr Score: 9.1 years

leasehackr.com/calculator?make=Acura&miles=15000&msd=0&msrp=28645&sales_price=22395&months=36&mf=.00225&dp=2000&dealer_fee=85&acq_fee=595&taxed_inc=0&untaxed_inc=1500&rebate=0&resP=52&reg_fee=400&sales_tax=7.5&demo_mileage=0&memo=&monthlyTax_radio=true

<$2,000 Cash Down Plus $210.91 ($231.29 with tax) for 35 months for 10,000 miles/year>
MSRP: 28,645
Discount: 6,250
Selling Price: 22,395
Doc Fee: 85
Aquisition Fee: 595
License Fee: 313
Gross Cap Cost: 22,990
Cash Down: 2,000* (I was told that this was 1,000 out of pocket and 1,000 first month payment and fees)
Total Rebates: 1,500* (The calculator doesn’t work when I put it down as taxed or untaxed incentives but I put it in untaxed for now)
Amt Applied Upfront: 927.34
Total Cap Reduction: 2,572.66
Net Cap Cost: 20,417.34
Residual %: .55
Residual Amount: 15,754.75
Mileage Program: 10,000
Term: 36
Rate/Money Factor: .00225
Advanced Payment: 231.47
Upfront Charges: 695.87
Intitial Payment: 3,500* (I was told I only needed to pay 2,000 when I picked up the car–I’m guessing this is the rebate?)
Due on Delivery: 2,000
Base Monthly Payment: 210.52
Monthly Tax: 20.56
Payment: 231.47
Grand Total : 2000+210.91*35=7,581.85 ( 8,301 with monthly tax)

But the Leasehackr Calculator says:
Pre-tax Monthly Payment: $183
Monthly Payment with Tax: $197
Drive-Off: $2,838

• First Month Payment: $197
• Down Payment: $2,000
• Upfront Fees: $485
• Upfront Taxes: $156
  Disposition Fee: $0
  Total Lease Cost: $9,326
  Leasehackr Score: 9.9 years

Leasehackr Calculator — LEASEHACKR

Some questions I have:

1. Would you take this deal? If not, how much more should I try to negotiate? The numbers are off in the final result for the Leasehackr calculator. If anyone could tell me what I’m doing wrong, that would be great.

2. I initially went to the Acura dealer about an ad I saw for the 2019 Acura ILX with Premium and A-Spec Package Sedan for 0 down and 289/month. I realized after I left the dealership that they never showed me this model nor did they quote me a price. I’m assuming that they could give me a deal on this price, but is this package worth it?

3. Would you recommend the other cars I’ve been looking at over the 2019 Acura ILX Premium? The ILX is much smaller than the TLX, but they didn’t have any 2019s in stock.
   -2019 Honda CR-V 1.5T 2WD EX: 27,250 MSRP with rough estimate of 2,500 down and 240-245/month
   -2019 Honda HR-V 2WD EX-L: MSRP 26,365 with rough estimate of 2,500 down and 260/month
   -2019 Mazda CX-5 Sport: MSRP 27,660 with rough estimate of 2,000 down and 300/month
   -2019 Toyota C-HR: MSRP 29,706 with rough estimate of 3,000 down and 315/month

4. What are the chances that I could find a better deal with 2019 Mercedes-Benz A Class Premium Package? (I am guessing none) I saw one with an MSRP of 32,500 with a Total Retail Price of 38,555 due to the Premium Package. I went at closing time, and the dealer said to come back later to work out a deal. He gave me a rough estimate of zero down, just 1,500-2,000 in fees and 400/month. I realize there is about a 10,000 difference in MSRP and in 6,000 total payment, but I am in absolutely in love with this car.

Thank you Hackrs for all your help for a novice who is very overwhelmed. I really appreciate all of your advice.

[max_g]

@miranna

Would you recommend the other cars I’ve been looking at over the 2019 Acura ILX Premium?

Yes absolutely. The ILX is a rebadged 2015 Civic. Take something like the CRV any time. Search the forum

[VirginiaBeacher]

Not a fan of the ILX but the discount is decent as they dont lease great, but you effective payment with true zero down is $313 and for that price I would would lease a Honda Civic or Accord over an ILX.

The ILX is based on the old Civic platform and the newer Civic are far superior. Check US News car ranking which ranks the ILX dead last in comparison to other cars.

And have you seen this from the broker? This is probably pretty base:

.Mercedes-Benz Lease Special

Please Call Or Text For Faster Response (818)984-7080 1. 2019 Mercedes-Benz A220 *36 Month Lease Term *$2,000 Due At Signing, Includes First Month’s Payment *7500 Miles Per Year $299 Plus Tax 2. 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 *36 Month Lease Term *$2,000 Due At Signing, Includes First Month’s Payment *7500 Miles Per Year $290 Plus Tax

and email this dealer and check:

Calvin Zhao - Internet Sales Manager @ Mercedes Benz

I also interacted with Calvin by email and he was very quick and thoughtful. I look forward to working with him in the next month or so

Have you also considered an X1 or X2 as BMW’s are leasing great? People are leasing loaners for 200-250 and new for around 275-350 depending on your hacking skills? You wont qualify for loyalty but could get the BMW CCA, OL Code, USAA, or TrueCar

BMWPros i3 BEV Needs to Go. $197 a month plus tax. $3277 Due at Signing

I Will Get To Everyone In The Order I Received Your Message. It may take a day or two but you will be responded to. Good afternoon everyone. Happy October. Maybe fall weather is on the horizon? Got super spooky deals going on this month. I have almost everything you need. Right now for this month I am offering specific vehicles so please don’t ask about anything else. Please PM me and include your name, contact information, and Zipcode at minimum. Thanks and happy hunting. M850 - $999 a month …

[miranna]

Thanks for your reply. I was swayed by hearing that Acura is a better brand than Honda. And I don’t really need the extra bulk of the CRV.

[miranna]

Thanks so much for your reply. Some of my limitations in finding the perfect car for me is that I’m looking for: Android Auto compatibility, blind spot monitor, and heated seats. Of course, MPG is important, but I really want the other three things. Unfortunately, that leaves out BMWs (I really wish they were Android Auto compatible). I talked to a dealer about what I thought was a good deal on an X1, but from reading this forum, I realize it wasn’t.

I will check the US News car ranking you mentioned and contact the Mercedes dealer. Thanks again!

[max_g]

@miranna

Some of my limitations in finding the perfect car for me is that I’m looking for: Android Auto compatibility, blind spot monitor, and heated seats. Of course, MPG is important, but I really want the other three things.

That’s easy. Hyundai Elantras and Kia Fortes have those. Plus a lot more.

Acura might be a better brand but the ILX is not a better product.

[miranna]

Thanks! I’m getting that feeling from all the reading I’ve been doing, but having someone tell me that really helps.

[paranoidgarliclover]

To the OP, kudos to you for such a well-researched and thoughtful first post!

Have you driven any of the cars you’re looking at? The Honda HR-V and Toyota CH-R are in the same class, the CR-V and CX-5 are in the same class. The HR-V and the CX-5, for example, are NOT in the same class, and the HR-V and CH-R don’t exactly get great (or even good) reviews.

I’ve not been on LH long, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Mercedes lease in the range of the ILX quote you’ve gotten, and definitely not for 15K miles/yr. You said you fell in love w/ the A-Class. Luxury makes count on that and charge you accordingly…

I agree w/ looking at the Civic and Elantra/Sonata. You’re implying that you want a compact car. If the Accord and Sonata/Optima are not too big, you may wish to take a look at those, too. Some people have gotten excellent deals on a Sonata (or were they Optimas?), and dealers might be more willing to negotiate since the Sonata will be replaced in the near future.

Good luck!

[miranna]

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I didn’t realize how savvy and knowledgeable everyone is about cars, and this forum and everyone’s opinions have been so valuable to me.

As I just moved, I was thinking I would want an SUV to brave the highways. Now, I’m wondering if that bulk will keep me safe and not slow me down. I don’t necessarily want a compact car, but I’m looking at smaller cars in hopes that I can afford a better make or brand. I’m also going to do more research on what car would be safe but affordable as well as a pleasure to drive.

Thanks again for your comments!