So then it’s a $373.15 DAS deal, not a $0 DAS deal.
Ok. $0 down payment is what I negotiated.
$373.15 is the first payment (of 36)
Or is it customary to pay only 35 times on a 36/12k lease (honest question, I am newbie at leasing)?
Based on the math it wasn’t a payment you made, looks like that $373 is made up of lines 5e/f/g added up. You just paid those up front and didn’t roll them in
This would be a $0 DAS lease.
No, $373 is not the sum of the fees. It was the monthly payment before I added the Wear and Tear protection plan. W&T plan was an extra $838 +tax +interest / 35 = ~$25 … which made the monthly go up to $398.40
Taking on the W&T plan is where I think I made a mistake… or maybe not, it was useful on my previous deal when my wife damaged a door.
So your saying they charged you first monthly payment before adding something but then changed what the payment is for the rest of the months? I’m not following that. If it wouldve been true first payment at signing it would have been the $398. I think your right on the /35 months but because you didn’t make a first month payment down,just up front fees
Thats correct. I negotiated the monthly payments first (and paid my first installment w/ a check) while signing the deal.
Then proceeded to discuss the protection plan options… and they hook me for another $800+ 
I actually knew my payment amount including taxes and fees before entering the dealership since I negotiated everything by email. The protection plan was an afterthought, and almost didn’t bought it because I was budgeting around $600 for it … not $800.
Overall it was a great experience, I felt in control the whole time and I was out of the dealer with the new truck faster than ever.
The information I found on this website (and some others) allowed me to tell them exactly what I wanted to pay and avoid the haggling experience. As a comparison, other local dealers where asking $485 and $499 for a similar vehicle.
I appreciate the time you guys devote to share information here. Thanks!
It’s basically consumer preference to do either first payment DAS or 0 DAS.