Tips on Buying Cars: Leasing & Negotiations, tv newspapers, pertinent info

Question
Hi,

When leasing a car, can you negotiate the price of the car before entering into the lease? I know that one can with a purchase, but wasn't sure with a lease, but assumed so.

Thanks!

Answer
Absolutely!  Think of leasing as an alternative form of financing; you should negotiate the price first, as if you were purchasing the car outright, then tell them that you'd like a monthly lease payment.  Until 1994 they only had to disclose what your monthly lease payment was, but since then they also have to list the selling price and all other pertinent info.  Before you sign on that dotted line, do two things first:

1) Check all the online and advertised lease offers (TV, newspapers, etc...) for the car you're considering.  There may be additional rebates for lease customers that you might otherwise not know about.

2) Ask the dealer for a copy of the lease contract, so you can take it home and read it, FRONT AND BACK, so you can know beforehand exactly what you're getting into.  They must give you copy if you ask for it; if they refuse, find another dealer.

If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask a follow-up question.  Leasing is great if you know what's involved; don't sign anything if you're not clear on the requirements.