Author: Dakota Grimes

Is leasing a car a good idea? Great question!

For most people, the deciding factor when it comes to acquiring a new vehicle is cost. There is a distinct advantage leasing has over financing: the monthly payments are often significantly lower than a car loan. This places a number of car and truck options within your budget that might not be attainable if you purchase a vehicle. You can either redirect the money you save toward other necessities, or put the money toward leasing a more luxurious car.

Another advantage of car leasing is the option to drive a new car every few years. Since most lease agreements are shorter than a car loan, you can trade in your car and get something new with all of the latest technological and safety innovations. This feeds into the third benefit of leasing a car: Lower maintenance costs.

Since you’re regularly driving a newer car, you’re much less likely to encounter wear and tear breakdowns, or unexpected, long-term issues. Anyone who’s on a budget knows how crippling unforeseen car troubles can be to your finances. Why not eliminate that anxiety from your life?

When you buy a car, it starts losing value the moment you drive it off the lot. Throw in years of routine maintenance and wear and tear, and by the time you’re ready to sell it or trade it in, it’s unlikely you’ll see a fraction of the money you put into it returned.

Not to mention, selling your vehicle can be a real hassle. Selling to a dealership is likely to garner less than you deserve and haggling with strangers is time-consuming and frustrating. Leasing a car eliminates both of these issues.

So, to answer the question, is leasing a car a good idea: If you like everything you’ve heard, then leasing is a fantastic idea. At D&M Leasing, we want to do more for you and get you into a vehicle that will bring you years of happiness. Call a trusted agent, or submit a simple quote form today to find the perfect lease for you.

If you are new to the process, you probably want to know what to ask when leasing a car to ensure you are getting the best deal. These 5 questions to ask when leasing a car will help steer you in the right direction!

1. How Much Money Do You Have To Put Down?

It is recommended you start by asking this question because a lot of the time a dealership will advertise low monthly costs, but that’s only when you factor in a large upfront cost. At D&M Auto Leasing, the EZ Lease allows you to make no down payment with no payments for 60 days on any qualified lease.

2. What Fees are Included in This Lease?

This is another great question to ask when leasing a car. It’s important to know exactly how much the lease will cost you, including all the added fees that some leasing agents might omit telling you until the very end of your agreement. Our D&M representatives are very upfront about the fees you will have to pay, especially since they offer a very low, competitive interest rate with real market residuals to allow for more flexibility and get you the best car lease deal.

3. How Many Miles Does This Lease Include?

Before you commit to a lease agreement, you want to confirm the lease offers enough miles so you’re not blindsided with an overage cost. With the EZ Lease Plus at D&M, there is no excess mileage penalty at scheduled termination with 5,000 miles or less over the contractual mileage allowance.

4. Can You Lease a Used Car?

Leasing a used car will help you save some additional money, which is why a lot of leasing agents won’t mention it while you’re shopping for a lease. Our D&M representatives will create a customized EZ Lease for you on any new or select used vehicle.

5. Are There Any Current Lease Specials?

If you’re looking to save even more money, another handy tip for leasing a car is to ask the leasing agent if they are running any specials on any of the cars you’re interested in. Oftentimes, car dealerships will periodically offer discounts on different leases. D&M Leasing offers car lease deals throughout the year on most of their popular vehicles. If the car you’re interested in is not on sale, check back monthly for updated car lease specials.

Fill out our easy, online quote form and one of our local D&M representatives can help you get started on your lease today!

J.P. Morgan Research reports that new vehicle affordability has continued to decline this year. High demand and low inventory market dynamics triggered record high prices, and there is still little relief in sight.

The good news? Customizable solutions and tax advantages provide a unique opportunity for businesses through commercial fleet leasing.

Understanding that fleet leasing is the best option for your business is just the first step. Constructing a plan that is beneficial to your company’s continued growth and success is a different story altogether. It can be an intimidating undertaking, small businesses waste an average of 5-10% of their fleet vehicle budget yearly, but D&M is here to help.

For starters, growing companies can add or replace vehicles and lower their total cost of ownership through leasing, and with D&M, no number of vehicles is too few. We specialize in smaller fleet vehicle leasing. D&M acquires vehicles using their extensive, nationwide fleet network saving you time while getting the best pricing, and lowest lease rates available.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO COMMERCIAL FLEET LEASING INCLUDE:

• Unlimited Mileage
• Enhanced Cash Flow
• No Wear and Tear Requirements
• Controlled Maintenance Expenses
• Full Service Fleet Management Tools
• Free Fleet Analysis with Expert Recommendations
• Tax Savings

Now is the time. Request a quote online, give us a call, or get down to D&M Auto Leasing and let us help get your business on the move.

References:
Inflation and the Auto Industry: When Will Car Prices Drop? J.P. Morgan Research (Nov 2022) https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/research/when-will-car-prices-drop

If you are approaching the end of the lease for your vehicle, you may be wondering, “Should I buy my car off-lease?” Here are the top 3 things to consider when buying off-lease cars.

1. The Buyout Price is Less Than the Market Value

A vehicle’s residual value is the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term, also known as the buyout amount. In most cases your buyout amount is less than the average retail price, and buying your off-lease car is a good deal.

You can find your vehicle’s residual amount in your lease contract or by calling a D&M leasing agent.

2. Over or Under the Allowed Mileage

Depending on your original contract, you may have exceeded your mileage limits. If you opt to buy your leased vehicle, you will not be expected to pay for any excess mileage. If you didn’t use all your allotted miles, then this should factor into your decision.

3. State of the Car

Similar to exceeding your vehicles allotted miles, you are not held responsible for damages to a vehicle if you decide to purchase your lease. If your vehicle has excess wear and tear, but you can’t part with the car then buying off your lease may be an enticing option.

In Conclusion

Leasing companies have to resell the returned vehicles directly to a dealer or through an auction, so in order to avoid the hassle and expense it may be more favorable to sell the vehicle directly back to you. If buying your car off-lease is something you are interested in contact an agent today.

It is helpful to go into the dealership having an understanding of how to calculate your auto lease payment. Although every dealership is unique, knowing the basic components that go into an auto lease payment can save you time and money. Take control by understanding the following three concepts: Depreciation, Financing, and Sales Tax.

Depreciation

The amount the vehicle is estimated to depreciate during the time you are driving it is going to be a major factor in your car lease payment. Depreciation is the difference between the vehicles original, full price value and its value at the end of the lease.

It is important to note that different makes and models of vehicles can have different depreciation rates, making a vehicle with the lower depreciation rate the best deal. The smaller the difference between initial cost and lease-end value, the lower the lease payment, the better the lease deal.

Financing

Financing is what pays the leasing company for the use of their vehicle over the agreed upon time; similar to the interest you pay on a loan. The financing fee is also driven by your credit score; therefore, a higher credit score would yield  a lower monthly payment.

Sales Tax

Once the dealership calculates the depreciation and financing fee, sales tax must be added. In the state of Texas, sales tax rates are 6.25% of your vehicle’s purchase price. Unsure of your local sales tax? https://www.sale-tax.com/Texas

Getting an idea of what your lease payments will look like will help you plan your next car lease. If you have any questions about how to calculate your lease payment, our D&M representatives are here to help. Also, feel assured that whenever you’re leasing with D&M, you’re receiving the lowest rate son any consumer lease with the EZ Lease.

Find out what actions you should take and to do when you wreck your lease car. Read our blog post about what to do when you wreck your lease car.

At D&M Auto Leasing, we strive to make vehicle leasing easy and enjoyable. We have created an easy 5 step guide to help you through the vehicle leasing process.

Step 1: Do Your Homework

Start by determining what type of vehicle you like. Discover the various sizes within the car type you are looking for and narrow down your options of make and model. View the various options and features each car has to offer and determine if the car is within your budget. To prevent feeling overwhelmed, we suggest narrowing down to your top 3 choices and test drive those vehicles. During your test drive, inquire about specials and offers for vehicle leases.  

Step 2:  The Car Lease Contract 

You want to become familiar with leasing terminology, so you are knowledgeable with the terms of the car leasing contract. You should know how many months you want to lease your car and how many miles you expect to drive annually.  Be prepared to ask about warranties and if car service maintenance is covered or included in your lease. Typical lease terms are 30-39 months and 10,000- 12,000 miles per year.  Also, don’t forget to ask about the current lease specials or vehicle lease deals to maximize your savings. 

Step 3: Estimate Your Vehicle’s Leasing Monthly Payment

The most important step is knowing your budget. There are several free online tools to help you determine your monthly payment. The formula factors the residual value, mileage, down payment, and trade-in value of your previous vehicle to determine your estimated monthly payment. A D&M Leasing agent can help you find the perfect budget. 

Step 4: Call D&M Auto Leasing 

At D&M Auto Leasing, our staff is dedicated to granting you superior customer service, without pressuring you to sign. We offer competitive lease offers and are committed to finding you the best car lease deal within your budget. We offer a variety of lease programs like EZ Lease.  You are ready for the last step.

Step 5: Review & Sign Your Vehicle Lease

After working with your trusted car leasing agent, you are ready to review the paperwork and sign on the dotted line. You found the vehicle, got a low monthly payment, and determined your car lease terms. You are now ready to drive off with your new leased vehicle or get your vehicle delivered right to you!  

Unofficial, Step 6: Celebrate Your New Car Lease!

At D&M Leasing, we are dedicated to excellent customer service without imposing on your time. Receive exceptionally friendly local service every time you have a question about your lease.