Questions about returning my lease

The sticker probably won't separately show things that were part of the standard package.

Our 2010 in Canada came with Tonneau Cover and Carpet floor mats. The cargo net was also part of the base package but they gave it to us a couple of months later after Toyota had sorted out some teething problems with the attachment points.

IIRC, we bought Rubber floor mats separately a few months later

Standard US equipment may have been different.

 

You can negotiate with the loan company (bank) to buy out the car. It's a lot less hassle for the banks to have you buy out the lease rather than turn it over to a wholesaler. Besides, you know who's been driving the car over the past 2 years. With that, you can probably get a much better deal than you could by purchasing a used car at a dealer. Talk to you bank. You might want keep the car.

 

I think if you read all the fine print in your lease agreement, you will find that anything that came on the car when you bought it must be on it when you return it in like-new condition less normal wear and tear. The tonneau cover is standard, and mats are usually listed on the window sticker, but the wheel locks and cargo net are options. It would be reasonable to replace the locks with the standard lug nuts, but only if you bought them separately at the parts counter. Also, the cargo net may have required installation of anchor rings, although it would take someone really sharp and knowledgeable to pick up on that, IMHO. If you can remove accessories which you installed without leaving any damage, such as holes or marks, you should be able to do so. I think of more concern is probably what they will consider "normal wear and tear." If there are any scrapes or scratches on the wheels or body, or any dents on the body, expect to be charged. If tires are worn, you may get charged for that as well. It probably spells out in your lease agreement what the limits are for each category. Might be worth it to get a good detail job done to present the car in its best resale condition, which will remove or cover fine surface scratches. Depending on the model of your new car, and the year of the old one, the mats may not fit correctly anyway.

 

My 2 cents as someone who has gone through several cars since 2008 including 3 leases... Wth lol.
For the record I wrote a check for my Prius.
I pulled the all weather mats out of all of my cars, cargo nets out of all of my cars, anything that wasn't on the sticker when you bought it you can take out. If it was on the sticker, like carpet mats usually are, that was part of the car you leased. You wheel locks you can take off btw but you have to have the original lugs obviously.

As for scratches etc. I am really anal, I park all my cars at the end of the lot etc. I cannot remember the specifics, but I think it's something like one 4" scratch per panel is what is allowed before you have to worry, I actually caught my Camry on a piece of re-bar that was sticking out of a parking block and it broke a piece out under my lower dam, very small but I pointed it out anyways. They didn't care because the rest of the car was immaculate.
Mileage also plays into it, I ride my motorcycle a lot so my mileage is always really low.
My Camry had 15,800 miles on it after 3 years.

My last 2 leases my 2011 Highlander and my 2012 Scion they just gave a quick once over.
They like it when I bring in cars, my last 2 leases sold for more than I leased them for because I take such good care of my cars.
I never even heard a peep from Toyota on any of my cars that I turned in.
You should have received a letter from Toyota covering what they will look for as far as normal wear and tear.
My dealer made it sound like unless it's BAD they really don't worry too much.

As far as buying it out, I looked at buying my Camry out, it barely had 15,000 miles and it was perfect, but a 5 year loan to buy it out at a good price was actually $18 more than me leasing a brand new 2011 SE fully loaded again, which is why I didn't buy it.

Just my input based on what I had seen and heard.

 

+1
I have had a few of my friends lease cars and have found out that is what happens in most cases.