Disappointed

[dupercuper]

I was set to lease a 2005 Mini S (Cold, sport, premium, and anthracite) for my daily transportation. Put the required $1000 deposit. Didn't haggle the price b/c I know that these cars are desirable and I felt lucky that the person ordering this car backed out.
I even read the owners manual cover to cover in anticipation of picking up the car. Got my check list (from this site) printed. I even signed up to be a member of a local Mini club.

the dealer sensed this and wanted a high monthly lease payment. I was shopping around before setting on a Mini so I knew some other cars lease prices.
long story short: the dealer said "the absolute lowest" payment they can offer was $11 less per month than a 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT with Premium package (MSRP $36000).

I ended up getting the G35 a couple of weeks ago.
Just want to say that I enjoyed my stay at Mini2. Too bad there are greedy dealers out there...
Happy motoring guys.

[Johnny L]

Well, you probably should have bought an MSC. It won't depreciate like your Infiniti.

Anyway, apples and oranges. The Infiniti is a different type of car, and I'm sure that you'll enjoy it--for what it is. A very good GT. I drove one and was very impressed, but I went with an MCS instead.

Take care!

[anathema]

Going to ONE dealership and having them blow the deal just proves you didnt REALLY WANT it. If you did, you would have checked around with other dealers, banks, credit unions and whatnot until you made it work.

I agree you should have bought it, Leasing a car is the most expensive way to operate a vehicle.

Quote: Originally Posted by dupercuper

I was set to lease a 2005 Mini S (Cold, sport, premium, and anthracite) for my daily transportation. Put the required $1000 deposit. Didn't haggle the price b/c I know that these cars are desirable and I felt lucky that the person ordering this car backed out.
I even read the owners manual cover to cover in anticipation of picking up the car. Got my check list (from this site) printed. I even signed up to be a member of a local Mini club.

the dealer sensed this and wanted a high monthly lease payment. I was shopping around before setting on a Mini so I knew some other cars lease prices.
long story short: the dealer said "the absolute lowest" payment they can offer was $11 less per month than a 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT with Premium package (MSRP $36000).

I ended up getting the G35 a couple of weeks ago.
Just want to say that I enjoyed my stay at Mini2. Too bad there are greedy dealers out there...
Happy motoring guys.

[Eric_Rowland]

FWIW, the monthly payment is only one piece of the lease. There is initial payment, effective interest rate, open or close ended, and residual payment/value. Many of these can be juggled. If the $36K car had a similar payment to the $25K car, either the up front, back end or interest rates were drastically different. Cei la vie...

[dupercuper]

To answer the questions above, I lease b/c of the tax benefits for small business owners.
I did shop around and called several banks but most banks only loan to buyers not leasors(spelling?) so I have to go through Miniusa directly. They won't budge on the money factor (12 or 13% interest rate I forgot) and Infiniti gave me 4% interest. My credit rating is above 800 so I told Miniusa that they can do better than 12%. The salesman said "we charge you 12% interest rate b/c we know you'll pay it".
Eric, the front end is the same and the back end of the lease should not be that different b/c if I don't like the price at the end of the lease, I can walk away.

I still may get a Mini a few years down the road.

[dupercuper]

Quote: Originally Posted by anathema

Going to ONE dealership and having them blow the deal just proves you didnt REALLY WANT it. If you did, you would have checked around with other dealers, banks, credit unions and whatnot until you made it work.

I agree you should have bought it, Leasing a car is the most expensive way to operate a vehicle.

I called all the dealers in northern California and 4 dealers in Southern California. I put a deposit down on this one b/c the previous "place holder" backed out so it was available. California dealers will command a higher price b/c there's a big demand for Mini here.

Agree that I didn't "REALLY WANT IT". It's a fun car but not $35K fun.