The Self-Driving Car: Car of the Future

chris on July 8, 2016

You may have heard a few luxury auto manufacturers are making optimistic claims to release the first fully autonomous vehicle in the next year or two.

Who is in the Running?

Elon Musk claims Tesla will successfully manufacture first fully autonomous vehicle in 2018. He expresses that he is confident with Tesla’s progress, and that is more of a matter of its model successfully operating in robust array of circumstances.

BMW Group has partnered with Intel and Mobileye to produce its first driverless vehicle in 2017. BMW proposes to churn out level 3 to level 5 automated cars to multiple dealers.

Volvo plans for their fully autonomous model to reach the streets in 2018. Their goal is to begin trials with semi autonomous cars that will track the human driving experience to aid the driverless maneuvers.

What is Holding Them Back?

The main setback is navigating left turns. In most simulations, the fully autonomous vehicle waited a significantly longer amount of time to cross traffic than a human driver has the patience for. Drivers take more risks, crossing through shorter breaks in traffic than a robot can justify. A smaller setback is human-directed traffic such as police guards guiding traffic after an event. However, technology can overcome with more cameras and sensors.

Who will be the Victor?

It will be exciting to watch the manufacturers race for the first fully autonomous car. D&M Auto Leasing especially looks forward to being the first to lease it.

Spot A Great Auto Lease Deals

chris on July 7, 2016

While leasing may seem complicated and overwhelming, identifying a great lease deal is actually quite simple. These few key points make up everything you need to know to spot a great auto lease deal:

Look for a High Residual Value

The residual value is the largest determinant in getting a great auto lease deal. The residual estimates the vehicle’s worth by the end of the lease term. Most vehicles are predicted to be worth of their value by the end of the lease, meaning that you are paying for that 50% use. Vehicles with high residuals are forecasted to hold more than 50% of their value at the lease completion. Luxury vehicles can have a residual as high as 64%, meaning you could pay as low as 36% of its use.

Keep in mind that the residual value is a formula. For example, the average price of a new car is $33,000. If the residual is set at 50%, you will pay $16,500 over a typical lease term, which is 3 years. Your monthly payments will be roughly $458. If the residual value is set at 60%, then you will pay $13,200 over 3 years. Your monthly payments will be around $366. When you lease a car with a high residual, you are paying for less than half of its use.

D&M Auto Leasing provides real market residuals…

Seek Competitive Interest Rates

Interest rates also have a significant impact on your monthly payments. Unlike residuals, the interest rate is a little more negotiable. To score the best interest rate, call a few third party leasing companies. Most likely, the rep will give you the vehicle’s “money factor”, which is the interest rate translated into a small decimal number. Multiply the money factor by 2400, to figure the interest rate.

D&M Leasing offers competitive interest rates…

Negotiate for Low Fees

Additional to a security deposit, it has become common practice for leases to include acquisition and disposition fees. You will have the most luck negotiating these fees, however, because they vary depending on the car leasing company. An acquisition fee is the charge issued to cover the expenses for arranging a lease. Disposition fee is the charge administered to cover the cost of preparing the car for sale.

A D&M EZ Lease offers no down payment as well as no payments for 60 days…

Pursue Leasing Companies With High Customer Retention

Customer retention means a company has loyal consumers due to positive car leasing experiences.

D&M Auto Leasing attributes 70% of its business to repeat and referred clients…

You are now fully equipped to recognize the best car leasing deals. Contact D&M Leasing today for a great car lease deal and top-notch customer service!

Why The Surge In Leasing vs Buying a Car?

chris on July 7, 2016

The number of consumers choosing to lease rather than buy in the last year has increased significantly. More than 25% of new-cars sold in 2015 were leases, versus 22% the year prior. Learn why consumers are moving towards leasing vs. buying:

Consumer Culture

The shift in consumer culture has made a huge impact. The majority of our entertainment and possessions are paid for monthly.  Beyond rent and car loan or lease, smart phones, streaming services, the cloud, and countless other tangibles and intangibles are all included in our monthly budgets. Balancing all those recurring transactions has veered consumer focus towards low monthly costs.

Rising Cost of Buying

New cars are steadily increasing in price, meaning higher monthly loan payments. The average price for a new car or truck is over $33,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. This is a 2.6% rise from 2014’s $32,000. As the price of purchasing a new car increases, no wonder so many consumers are opting for leasing. They are driving the same vehicle, but only paying for its depreciation, rather than the total value of the vehicle.

Technology

Everything we own is becoming “smart”. Technology for our phones, entertainment, fitness gear, homes and cars is consistently advancing, making newest tech obsolete in just a few years. By leasing, consumers can take full advantage of the latest safety and entertainment features while they are still relevant.

Top 4 Features in New Car Safety Technology

chris on July 7, 2016

With cars evolving towards complete autonomy, the latest car technology focuses on safety features. D&M Auto Leasing compiled a list of our favorite, currently available, new car safety technology.

Advanced Backup Cameras

Backup cameras are quickly becoming a staple in vehicles, but the latest cameras feature multi-angle and even 360-degree views. Multi-angle views include a bird’s eye perspective allows drivers to see their entire car in relation to its surroundings.  Advanced backup cameras are advantageous for fitting into tight spaces such as parallel parking.

City dwellers will benefit from advanced backup cameras, while rural drivers reap less of its benefits. Brands featuring the latest advanced backup cameras include new Infiniti models, select Nissans, and the new Toyota Prius.

Augmented Reality Owner’s Manual

Unlike paperbacks or ebooks, augmented reality owner’s manuals are user-centric. Augmented reality manuals provide instant solutions to consumers. A user can focus their smart phone on any part of the vehicle, and will receive in-depth information immediately. Augmented reality eliminates the grueling process of thumbing through the user’s manual for answers. The new Hyundai Sonata successfully executes this technology for now, but this will likely catch on with other brands.

Automatic Steering

Automatic steering is popping up in two forms: lane-keep assistance and semi-autonomous steering. Lane-keep assistance prevents accidents by correcting steering if the vehicle veers out of the lane. Semi-autonomous steering is especially exciting because vehicles with this feature are capable of hands free driving. However, the vehicle will request for you to regain control of the wheel in less than a minute, but semi-autonomous steering is a significant step towards self-driving vehicles. Regular highway commuters benefit from automatic steering due to its ability to prevent accidents caused by distracted driving. 

Automatic steering has already caught trend with lane-keep assistance fairly prevalent in new cars. Semi-autonomous steering is commonplace with high-end models, as well as moderate selections such as the Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Subaru Legacy, and the Chrysler 200.

Adaptive Headlights

Adaptive headlights adjust to road conditions for optimal view. Automatic high beams illuminate and dim accordingly. Nighttime and rural drivers will gain the most from adaptive headlights.  Automatic high beams are increasingly available in new cars.

9 Steps to Leasing a Car

chris on July 7, 2016

You’ve made the decision to lease instead of buy, but you may be unclear of the next step. To avoid a terrible leasing experience, D&M Auto Leasing has created a simple, yet comprehensive guide to leasing a car. 

Read our 9 Steps to Leasing a Car:

1. Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

Assess your average mileage, ride capacity, gas mileage, safety features, and other important factors.

2. Select Specific Models

Based on your wants and needs, create a list of vehicle models that fit the description.

3. Test Drive

Time to take them for a spin! Focus on each vehicle’s drivability, blind spots, braking, steering, any noises related to the car, and shock-absorption.

4. Ask About Safety Features

Ask if the vehicle comes with anti-lock brake systems, electronic stability control or head-protecting side air bags, as these are the most commonly used features.

5. Talk Price First

Negotiate the purchase price before mentioning the intention of leasing. You want the lowest agreed-upon price first.

6. Debate The Vehicle’s Value

The determined value directly affects the monthly payments. Aim for an offer closer to the dealer’s wholesale price than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

7. Calculate Your Monthly Payments

Take the total cost of the vehicle, subtract its residual rate in dollars, and finally divide that number by your lease term in months.

8. Contact Car Leasing Companies

Make a few calls and shop around for the best deal.

9. Review the Lease

Make sure you completely understand the contract, debate any additional fees that you may be able to waive, and finally, sign.

Leasing Vs Buying a Car

chris on June 28, 2016

Are you curious about the benefits of leasing versus buying a car? The answer depends on your current financial situation and what you value in a car.

Lower Monthly Payments

While owning your vehicle is often preferred, buying a car as compared to leasing is stressful and a financial strain. When buying, it is typical to pay twenty percent of the vehicle’s value upfront, while D&M’s EZ Leasing requires no down payment. Monthly loan payments are also substantially higher than lease payments. This is due to paying off the vehicle’s total value. When you lease a car, your payments are solely based off the vehicle’s decline in value, commonly referred to as its depreciation.  In considering a car lease quote, keep in mind that the depreciation rate over a lease term is only a fraction of its total value.

Get in the Car You Want

What do you value when scoping out your next vehicle? One of the benefits of vehicle leasing is that you can have the car you truly want, rather than shopping the limited selection of used cars in your budget. Perhaps, you really want a brand new SUV, but you can’t afford the down payment. A 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe lease solves both problems.

Get the Best Possible Deal

Maybe, rather than style, you seek quality auto leasing for a great deal. D&M Auto Leasing is guaranteed to be the best auto lease. Other third party car leases may try to sell you on a gas-guzzler, so they can cash in on the high depreciation rates. That is not how we do business at D&M. We are dedicated to giving you the best possible car leasing deal. This is why we facilitate your lease over the phone and deliver directly to you.

Contact our D&M leasing staff or call now to be connected with the best vehicle for you now!

What to Ask When Leasing a Car

chris on June 28, 2016

Do you currently have any lease specials?

Most auto leasing companies will run deals in which you pay more upfront to decrease your monthly bill amounts. However, you may end up paying more for the vehicle over the lease term regardless of lower monthly payments.

D&M Auto Leasing doesn’t need specials. D&M Leasing is dedicated to getting client’s the best possible rate everyday. EZ Leasing always offers the lowest rates, and with a qualified EZ Lease, you could skip the down payment altogether!

What is the residual value?

The residual value is how much the vehicle is worth at the end of the lease. This matters because it is a main determinant regarding your monthly payments. The average residual rate for auto lease companies is 45% – 60%.D&M leasing offers low, competitive interest rates along with real market residuals, which allow more flexibility.

What is the interest rate?

D&M’s EZ Leasing program offers low, competitive interest rates. On average, vehicle leasing interest rates are around 3%, but can increase significantly if your credit score is below 680.The D&M auto leasing staff always aims to get you the lowest possible interest rates regardless of your credit score!

What are the mileage limitations?

While 12,000 is the industry standard for a third party car lease, D&M Leasing specializes in high mileage leases.

The lower mileage costs of a D&M EZ Lease make high mileage manageable. Use our convenient Live Chat to find the right lease for your mileage needs.

Are there any drive-off fees?


A drive-off fee is a cap-reduction payment that is used to reduce monthly fees, but is not refunded at the end of the lease. D&M Leasing is known for their first-rate customer service and transparency with their clients. The D&M Leasing staff cares about matching you with the right lease!

D&M Auto Leasing Reviews

chris on June 28, 2016

When researching the best car leasing companies, 4.9 stars are hard to ignore. A 100% recommendation rate speaks for itself. D&M Leasing takes pride in its conscientious customer care and its ability to connect people with the vehicle they want.

Here are a few incites from D&M auto leasing reviews:

“Easiest Experience I’ve had purchasing or leasing a vehicle got me to the payment I wanted to be and found the car I wanted,” said one Dealer Rater review. Professional, knowledgeable, and honest!” – Dealer Rater Reviewer

Top Ten REVIEWS raves about D&M’s trade-in options and the “Build Your Own Car” feature, which allows leaseholders to customize their vehicle, which is rare when working with other car leasing companies.

“Their comprehensive auto leasing system and fantastic customer support have kept thousands of customers coming back to do business,” – Top Ten REVIEWS

At D&M Leasing we accredit 75% of business to referrals. Get in touch with our D&M Leasing staff today!

Should I Lease or Buy a Car?

chris on June 21, 2016

Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you can make, and it’s a good idea to weigh out your options. Of course buying and leasing both have their advantages, but if you enjoy driving a new car every few years, with less liabilities and lower payments, then leasing is definitely an option you should consider. Read on to learn more about the 3 main benefits to auto leasing:

Auto leasing allows you to drive a new car every few years

Are you sick of driving the same old ride, year after year? Are you unsure what the future holds? Auto leasing gives you the opportunity to get the exact, new or used car you’re looking for at a lower monthly payment than buying. To make the deal even better, when your lease is up all you have to do is hand in the keys and get a new lease. Say goodbye to the hassle of selling a used car!

Avoid the liabilities of ownership in a vehicle

When you purchase a car, you take on a lot of responsibility. Even though your car may be an asset, it does come with a number of expenses and liabilities over time. Auto leasing means low liability because you don’t have to pay for the whole vehicle cost. And what if you just don’t like your vehicle? At D&M Auto Leasing, if you’re unhappy with your ride, there are no early termination fees or penalties.

Never over finance a vehicle again just to get lower payments

Auto leasing is great for keeping some extra cash in your pocket each month. When you compare leasing to buying with the same loan term, the monthly payments are almost always lower. The payments are also very flexible and can often be customize to your own budget. You’ll be happy to know at D&M Auto Leasing, we’re known for offering some of the lowest rates!

These are just 3 of the many reasons auto leasing could be a good fit for your lifestyle. D&M Auto Leasing can customize a lease that best suits your needs, at the best deal possible. The best part is, we’ll do the whole auto leasing process over the phone and then deliver the car directly to you! For more information about our car leasing services.

D&M Commercial Leasing Benefits

chris on June 21, 2016

When you lease from D&M Auto Leasing for your commercial leasing needs, you’re adding a staff of dedicated people that will manage your vehicles so you can worry about more important aspects of your business. In fact, our customers are so satisfied that 70% of our business is repeat and referral business. If you need a vehicle to help your company to grow, chances are we can lease it!

Commercial leasing gives you speed

Any business owner knows, once your business starts taking off, you need to ready for whatever is thrown at you. If you’re in need of equipment now, commercial leasing allows you to respond quickly. Your success is our #1 priority.

Customized commercial leasing solutions

Commercial leasing allows you to structure a financing program that’s right for your business. Whether you’re in the market for a car or tractor, you name it – we can lease it. You can even lease vehicles or equipment nationwide. Most of our competitors simply can’t compete with that kind of service.

Tax advantages

When you choose a commercial lease you are able to take advantage of some tax opportunities. For example, you can pay for the equipment with pre-tax dollars rather than after-tax profits. Some of the cost of the car is also tax deductible with the proper records.

Conserve working capital

Leasing a car gives you the ability to use your working capital for more important day-to-day operations. By spreading your payments over the useful life of the asset, you have less liability and more freedom over your short-term financial health. At D&M Auto Leasing you’ll have access to a variety of lease programs that fit your company’s financial needs.

Increase company value

Want your business to be more attractive to investors? Increase your company’s value by choosing commercial leasing. Most business are surprised to find out, when you lease a car, it doesn’t show up as debt on your financials.

Commercial leasing is flexible

Flexibility is the key to growing a business. As your needs change, you can add to or upgrade your lease. Whatever your fleet management needs, D&M Auto Leasing will take care of it.

For more information about D&M Auto Leasing’s commercial leasing services, contact any of our four D&M Auto Leasing locations or visit: dmautoleasing.com/commercial-auto-lease/