Which car to Lease

Ask the Hackrs
1

Hi Everyone, I have been following Lease Hackr for a month or so and I have come across very interesting deals which people have done. So here, I am asking your feedback and views on which car would be the best to lease with an overall good deal.

I stay in LA, recently graduated (masters) and I am not an USA citizen. I have been living in the country for the past 2-3 years. Since, I started working (its been 6 months), i feel there is a need to get a car. I have been looking at all Brands/Models but whichever car I like seems to be too pricey when thinking to lease.

I have shortlisted some cars:

  • Ford Focus RS
  • Mini Cooper 4 Door S
  • BMW 3
  • Audi A3
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia (My personal Fav.)

The problem here with me is, I dont have an Auto Credit, so it will be first time for me. I have looked at all these car, and I wanted to ask the Hackr Community for which car I can get a good Lease deal?? and, is buying or leasing a good option when you getting your First car.

Thanks.

2

Are you on a visa or GC?

20

3

I am currently on VISA. Applied for H1B this year, but since its a lottery so couldn’t get it :(. But I can apply for 2 more times i.e. 2018 & 2019. And, once I get H1B, I can be in the USA for the next 6 years and if everything goes good, I will also file for me GC

4

IF you get the H1B

Not sure they’ll lease to you under a “what if” scenario.

You need might need to buy cash instead

5

Hmm. But i have seen people able to buy/lease cars when they are on their student VISA (F1).

Anyways, thanks for your comments. Have a great day

6

alfa… around 300-400 is possible now

7

Hey, I tried, but they say since its my first time, it wont be possible in that price range.

I went to a dealer in LA, they checked my AUTO credit score and handed me the estimates for the car. The down-payment were in the range from $3500-$5500 and the monthly payment amounted to $600 - $500 after tax.

The price of the car in that dealer ship is $41k, but the same car is available at a different place for $39k.

9

Then don’t lease buy a car cash

Or get a broker.

You’re believing the dealer too much and in your position I could see why

10

Is there any good websites/app for getting this thing done using a broker. I have invested a lot of time in looking for a car. I was getting a fully loaded Audi A4 worth $48k on lease for $3500 down and $500/monthly after tax. I didn’t whether this is a good deal or not (also, i wasn’t aware of leasehackr :slight_smile: ).

I see there are a lot sales people from different car brand. Can’t any of them come forward and help me get a CAR!

11

Considering the situation you are in, that deal on A4 is sweetest you will ever see. Take it and in 3 years you will be in a better position to negotiate

12

Some car manufacturers have special Expatriate sales programs and I believe Audi/VW Financial is one of them.
You can get a special rate without a credit check on your lease/finance that corresponds to top tier or even better!
They will ask you to produce a valid H1B Visa and also ask for a copy of your paystub to validate your income.
These rates can sometimes be better than advertised rates.

Back in 2006, I helped a friend buy a VW Touareg V10 through this program with 0.9% finance rate when advertised VW specials were like 3.9%~5.9%.

One catch is that the finance/lease maturity date cannot exceed your visa expiration date.

13

Hmm. I agree with “Take it and in 3 years you will be in a better position to negotiate”. But is really the best I can get (considering my VISA and other situation). Because, I have friends who have got MB C250, BMW 3 etc at a fairly lower price that what I was getting for this Audi.

14

That’s because a typical F1 is for four years or DS (duration of stay), which exceeds the length of a typical lease.

In your case you missed out on the H1 lottery so I’m not even sure what status you’re currently on.

15

Not sure I agree with that. Sounds like a poor deal for an A4 (Audis don’t lease well but even then it’s more than what some people are paying for an A6)

16

I am on F1 VISA and can be on it till 12/2019.

17

Maybe look at 2 year leases (Mercedes E class has a good two year deal) since that does not exceed your status expiration

18

If you have an F1 Visa with no Auto Credit, I suggest you finance a cheap car first with a bigger down payment. If you have like a 50% down payment on a $20K car, you will not have trouble financing it.

Once you have built credit, then you can lease a better car later with top tier MF.

If you absolutely want to lease a more expensive car, then find a co-signer with good credit to help you quality for top tier.

This is just my personal opinion.

19

+1 as well My advice is finance a cheap reliable used car with a credit union to build credit history while you wait for your green card. Keep reading leasehackr to develop a good understanding of leasing and After that you will become the lease king for your next vehicle in 2 short years.

20

Yeah, I have thought of this. But its not a hard and fast rule that I have to go for a top ties MF.

How does the Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4 Door do in terms of lease. Anyone has any idea?

21

Yup, this is what I have been thinking in the last 2-3 days, after doing a lot of reading on leasehackr. But, what do you mean by cheap reliable used car??