Tips on Buying Cars: how do I know if I am getting a fair interest rate, finance arm, ford credit

Question
I am going to lease a car thru an employer-sponsored program. I will be able to get a car at 1% below factory invoice. I need to know how to get a fair interest rate from the dealer and how do I figure out what a fair rate is.  

Answer
Paul thanks for the question.  If you are leasing the interest rate is never published as a part of the cost, unless your company sponsored program is different.  As to the fair interest rate from the dealer that is Usually through a captive finance arm, Ford Credit, GMAC, and so forth and is used as an incentive to help sell vehicles.  Many of the maufacturers now are offering 0 percent loans on specific vehicles.  As to being able to compare the cost of the various programs ie: leasing vs financing, this is also very difficult as you do not (normally) own the vehicle at the end of the lease term.  If your companies program does include the option of you keeping it you would compare it thusly:
Financing;  Down payment plus sum of the total of payments.
Leasing; Down payment(do not include fees such as title expenses, and other charges) plus total of lease payments plus whatever cost to purchase the car at the end of the lease.
My experience has always (or almost always) that it is cheaper to finance than to lease, but it is always good to do a complete analysis to satisfy yourself.  Let me know if you have further questions.  Best of luck to you.  Bud