Car-Lease Incentives: What You Need To Know

If you are thinking about leasing a car there are some key elements you must know about the incentives which may be offered. Incentives for auto leases are not exactly the same as incentives offered when you purchase a new car. Put yourself in the very best position to save money on a leased vehicle by comprehending the ins and outs of incentives and how to make the most of them.

What are car-lease incentives?

Car-lease incentives are similar to they sound — offers designed to encourage you to definitely lease an automobile. Automakers regularly advertise car-lease incentives and could promote them on their own websites, as well as through commercials, radio and direct-mail ads. The goal of car-lease incentives is to make leasing a specific kind of car less expensive and enticing. 

3 types of car-lease incentives

There are some types of car-lease incentives you might come across, but here are the three most common you'll run into. 

1. Cash rebates

Cash rebates offered when leasing an automobile are similar to those provided when purchasing a car. The rebate, which is for any flat amount, is set by the manufacturer and put on the overall cost related to leasing the vehicle — thus lowering your costs. The total value of a rebate, however, may vary based on the lease term you select.

Any restrictions on the rebate are spelled out on the automaker’s website, usually in the small print under the offers section.

2. Subsidized interest rates

Also referred to as a “lease deal” for any specific payment per month, a subsidized interest rate is how the auto manufacturer offers a lower rate for purchasers with good credit if they make use of the automaker’s lending arm, for example Ford Credit or Toyota Financial Services.

You will have to match it up interest rate with financing you could obtain on your own through another lender to determine what is much better. Look through all the specifics of the lease terms to make sure a precise comparison.

3. Subsidized residual values

Residual value — and subsidized residual values — are an important factor associated with the cost you pay to lease an automobile. A vehicle’s residual value, that is set by the leasing company, is an estimate of the items the car is going to be worth once the lease ends.

This figure is key since the amount you pay for that lease is the distinction between the price of the car at the outset of the lease and it is residual value at the end of a lease. If your car’s price is $25,000 at the start of a lease, for instance, and its residual value is $10,000, your cost to lease that car is $15,000 — a cost that’s split into monthly lease payments.

As a motivation, automakers or leasing companies may subsidize leases in order to lower your payments. Automakers will often offer whether subsidized rate of interest or perhaps a subsidized residual value on a car, although not both. These details aren’t obvious however, to need to ask.

The perks of car-lease incentives

If you can secure a car-lease incentive, you may benefit in one or more ways.

Lower payments

You may enjoy lower monthly payments, which could release your cash flow making it more affordable they are driving the vehicle you would like. These lower payments are possible through the “lease deal” the automaker will offer you which could keep your rates of interest low, or by applying the money rebate as a down payment.

Cash in hand

You may get a check in the automaker or apply the money toward the total cost of the lease. Extra money staying with you is always a plus with regards to vehicle financing but beware of any restrictions that could apply.

A better car for less

You may go home in a car with the bells and whistles at a price you can afford. If you’ve always wanted to drive a particular vehicle but don’t have the money to purchase it, an incentive may help you drive it for a few years. The key to driving away having a great car with less money spent originates from the subsidized residual value offered. It keeps your monthly payments low, and keep the value of the vehicle high.

What to look at out for

Although car-lease incentives come with a number of perks there are still two main potential drawbacks to signing off on a hefty cash rebate.

Extra excess mileage fees

It is important to read the fine print with regards to a high cash rebate. In many cases, you may be charged costly fees for exceeding mileage limits. Every dealership is different, however this can cost you between 15 to 25 cents a mile. Consider the quantity of miles you clock on a day-to-day basis — and whether you've any upcoming trips — when deciding to sign off on a cash rebate.

Balloon payment

The automaker may also need a balloon payment, that is a larger one-time payment at the end of the lease. In case your budget won’t allow you to make this payment, you may put yourself in a poor position.

Just bear in mind: If you come across a car-lease incentive that’s too best to be true, it probably is.

Know your state

While car-lease incentives come with notable advantages, they do get one major drawback: Some states tax car incentives and rebates. If you live in a condition that does, you may have to pay taxes on the top dollar of the vehicle prior to the incentive is used.

You don’t have to worry about this if you live in a single of these states that don’t tax incentives:

The bottom line

Before you jump at any car-lease incentive browse the small print. Make sure you know how lease cash rebates, subsidized rates of interest and residual values impact your out-of-pocket costs. Also note the drawbacks of incentives, like penalties for exceeding mileage limits and steep, one-time balloon payments. Prior to signing on the dotted line, consider all of the lease terms and whether a lease is sensible for the budget.