1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Is lease buyout negotiable?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by vajratlr, Nov 25, 2012.

  1. vajratlr

    vajratlr Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    197
    11
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My lease ends in March and i'm thinking about just buying it since there are no good lease deals right now. How negotiable is the residual value. Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,844
    49,446
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    everything's negotiable! (except lease buyouts) all kidding aside, it doesn't hurt to ask. i suppose it depends on what the car's actual value is compared to what they predicted it would be when you first signed up. sometimes tho, they aren't allowed to negotiate because they are just the middleman and it would be too much paperwork. same reason a lot of underwater mortgages couldn't be negotiated, who knows how many entities hold the paper on financing these days?
     
  3. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Like another member said--everything is negotiable. ;)

    First, assuming your lease is with TFS, don't waste your time with the dealer--speak directly with TFS. I'd suggest researching what the car is worth in advance (check kbb.com, edmunds.com, nada.com, etc.). TFS will certainly know this info.

    To the extent the market value of the car is lower than your buy-out value, you might be able to negotiate. If it's higher, there's really no incentive for TFS to negotiate.
     
  4. vajratlr

    vajratlr Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    197
    11
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My residual is in the low 16s and kbb is in the 18s for excellent which my is i think. And it's with TFS. Sounds like I won't be able to haggle...
     
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Your car has to look like it just rolled off the truck to be excellent. No scuffs, no scratches, no dings.
     
  6. varun

    varun Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2012
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix,AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If KBB price is higher than my residual will TFS ask me to pay more to buy out?

    Nexus 4 ? 2
     
  7. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    1,167
    259
    0
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    No. The lease residual amount is a hard number in the lease contract. You can't be asked to pay more than what the contract states.
     
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    That's the gamble. If the residual is too high, you walk. If the residual is too low, you buy the car (if you like it) or they have no problem reselling it.
     
    JMD and varun like this.
  9. felix mizioznikov

    felix mizioznikov Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2012
    42
    18
    2
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    wouldnt purchase price be negotiated during the time of leaser inception...just like with real estate rent to own?
     
  10. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Yes it is. Now almost 3 years later inventory is piling up. Early termination offers are advertised. Down payments disappear. Condition problems or excessive mileage aren't noticed. Prices are down. You know that you can buy your used car cheaper on the lot. They know it too. If they can get you to buy your own leased car they don't have to prep it or put it in inventory to sell someday or send it to auction.
     
  11. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Not with a TFS lease--the residual value is set by TFS and the dealer can't modify it (unlike money factor & purchase price).
     
  12. vajratlr

    vajratlr Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    197
    11
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    so how do I go about negotiating the buyout price? I emailed the dealer where I leased from, the lease retention manager said residuals are not negotiable. I'm sure he was trying to get me into another lease but I don't think I want another lease given the crappy lease deals now.

    To my surprise, 2010 used priuses package 3 are still in the low 20's. My residual is in the low 16's. It doesn't sound promising at all.
     
  13. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    If used cars on the lot are selling for $20 why should they sell the used car you are driving to you for less than 16? If you walk they can make $4.
     
  14. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2012
    1,877
    21
    27
    Location:
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You are in good shape, as is typical in car leases of good value cars.

    Best negotiation is with the dealer as they have incentives from mfg and leasing company to move product, cars and leases. Leasing company wants new lease, Toyota wants new car sale and in many cases, dealer wants a good selling used car. So you have three things they want and will negotiate on.

    Same is true with different car dealer, Ford vs. Toyota for example, but they have a bit less to work with since it is the other companies lease partner but the financial dynamics are still there and favor you.

    Other timing is change of model year when mfg and dealer need to get the previous year models off the lot or any time you see incentives.
     
  15. vajratlr

    vajratlr Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    197
    11
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    So leasing any other car is not foolish?

    I told you the reasons...
    that they want a new car every 3 years and doesn't necessary mean they have or don't have a lot of money. but enough to afford a new lease.

    Again, I personally chose to lease because I was selling my cars and buying in 2-3 years anyway. It made more sense for me to just lease. I don't have to deal with selling.
     
  16. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Bunch of BS cleaned up. Keep it on topic, civil and show respect.
     
  17. 08nutnut

    08nutnut New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2012
    18
    11
    0
    Location:
    Gainesville & St. Augustine, FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I was told by my salesperson when I signed my lease that the buyout is negotiable.
    I am in Fla and leases are with SE Toyota. The sales guy said I should contact SE Toyota in 3 years.
    If the market value at that time for a 3 year old car is less than the residual, he said they might negotiate.
     
  18. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    255
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    LOL
    LOL
    LOL

    Do you really believe that a dealer has you best interest in mind? I am sure all my post will be deleted again and I will be threaded of being band again for posting here with an honest view point.