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

Better to Lease than Buy PiP?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by cooljw, Oct 5, 2013.

  1. cooljw

    cooljw Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2005
    183
    46
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I have always feared that the technology in today's plug-in vehicles would be leapfrogged by the next generation of plug-ins - making all of us current PiP owners really "green" (but with envy) and hitting our cars hard with a serious devaluation. For example, what if the EV range on the next generation of PiP is 20 miles? Or even 30 miles?

    Since the current PiP lease deals feature practically zero interest rates (MF = 0.00001) it completely changes the analysis of what a lease is and if it makes sense to do. The 0% lease as really just an installment payment plan with an option to buy after 36 months at a fixed price. Using a finance analogy: it is like paying a small premium (amounting to the lease origination fees, sales tax on cap discount...etc.) for a European call option on the car with a 3 year expiration. So, if you don't like the fixed price after 36 months, you don't exercise the option.

    So the lease seems to protect you in case the next gen of plug-ins makes your PiP somewhat obsolete.

    I just did the lease deal on the RAV4 EV because of the above rationale (and the hefty incentive).
    Wondering if I would have been better off leasing my PiP as well.
     
  2. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2013
    649
    209
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    The decision to lease or buy is usually best made based on the currently available deals for lease vs. finance, and based on individual needs and wants.

    I generally agree with you regarding the PIP, and the low MF, paired with larger cash incentive for lease than purchase, made me decide to lease. Three years is relatively short in car years, so I don't expect significantly more battery mileage on the next version. Even if they did, it wouldn't change most peoples actual energy consumption all that much.

    The relatively low residual the PIP has reflects the uncertainty of the future value of these cars. With a lease you lock in that value ahead of time and can choose to walk away or buy based on several additional years of experience, or even buy and resell at a profit if the values are higher than predicted. When the lease works out the way it currently does with the PIP, it gives you a lot of flexibility you don't get with a purchase.
     
    Lourun likes this.
  3. Lourun

    Lourun Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    289
    35
    0
    Location:
    Glen Rock NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I agree 100 %!
     
  4. Lawrence Cao

    Lawrence Cao Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2013
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it also depends on the annual mileage you drive. I choose to purchase as i need to drive more than 20,000 miles per year. thanks.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the lease residual is best known by the car maker. if toy was going to make a tech leap in the short term, the lease would reflect that in higher monthly payments and etc.. the recent excellent lease terms reflect both low interest rates and sales incentives which can also be had o a finance or purchase.
     
  6. -1-

    -1- Don

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    1,247
    434
    8
    Location:
    Chester, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    :)Two of three are a given, advanced technology and at least doubling of EV range. Leasing isn't a bad option.
     
    Lourun likes this.
  7. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2012
    427
    83
    0
    Location:
    Wheatfield NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Residual after 3 yrs on BASE model is 17,280.

    Also remember many states have/had 7300 incentive off the top.(so no need to worry about getting tax rebates)

    Buy at lease end if you are over in miles.

    I leased mine last year, and Dad just leased his 13 last week. We both plan to buy them in the end however if the next GEN is something amazing we have the option to turn it in.

    With a 7300 incentive these leases make alot of sense for many.
     
  8. Lourun

    Lourun Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    289
    35
    0
    Location:
    Glen Rock NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Yup'
     
  9. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2010
    751
    219
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I did the same as your Dad last week right before the lease incentives expired. Had to go to Hackensack, NJ to get one because I procrastinated but I couldn't be happier.
     
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I can possibly see 15 or maybe 20 mile advertised range but not 25. Unless they change A LOT of the design of the current car then I would be very surprised if they can get over 20.

    That being said...isn't the advertised like 12 right now? And a lot of us can get 15-20 when it's warm. So a 20 mile advertised range would be able to get someone 30 or more...in theory.
     
  11. Newtooca

    Newtooca Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    4
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I will share my experience...i wanted to buy but the guy was not bulging down on sale price...somehow on lease he went down ...this is what i lease of 285 for 35 months then residual as 16920. The simple maths said it is cheaper to lease then to buy then to buy outright....so i went for lease....

    V
     
  12. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Don't all these contracts have a wear and tear type clause where they can charge you at the end of the lease for misc wear type items?
     
  13. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2013
    649
    209
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Yes, it's possible, but that should really be part of your equation at outset. I take exceptionally good care of my vehicles, so I don't expect any issues, especially knowing that many leases are corporate cars that are not well cared for. They also want to sell you another vehicle, so they can't treat you too badly.

    I know plenty of people that I would never suggest a lease to for just this reason though. Their cars look worse after 3 years than mine after 10.
     
  14. Lourun

    Lourun Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    289
    35
    0
    Location:
    Glen Rock NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have leased at lest 10 vehicles from 4 different car companies and have never been charged for wear and tear, or anything else, matter in fact my 2010 Prius had 800$ damage due to getting hit I rear bumper that Toyota ate because I was leasing the PIP!
     
  15. Newtooca

    Newtooca Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    4
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base

    Well i didnt wanted to go in details. There is one in my lease too. How to workaround it. here is what i did . They had some special if you buy the toyota care for 1 more year ( 3 year and 36,000 miles) and wear and tear off(something to max of 5,000) instead of 1400 it will cost me 900 and after lot of bargaiing they made it to 780 in over 35 months .

    So now my total lease is around 309.00$ per month but this include one major service of 30,000 and one minor service of 35,000 plus the wear and tear off as well so i paid around close to 400$ more out of my pocket(imagining the major and minopr service cost around 400$) in 35 months . I hope this helps.

    V
     
  16. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    So you don't get Toyota Care free with a lease?
     
  17. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2010
    751
    219
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I got it free on mine. Two year lease. And on the PHEV, it's included for three years.
     
  18. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2012
    427
    83
    0
    Location:
    Wheatfield NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yes ofcourse TOY care comes with the lease as any new toy does.

    what is being mentioned is a TOY LEASE INSURANCE program (EWU) that all TOY dealers will offer or try to sell you. Most good bargain hunters can work this cost into the lease. Retail is 899 but most dealers will charge you 395 for it. I worked mine in free due to going back and forth between dealerships.

    This does not really matter to me however since I buy my leased cars always and sell or keep them, due to fact im anal about my cars condition.

    This lease insurance is a smart item to add for MANY people as it covers 5grand worth of scratches,chips,paint,interior or anything that they do not like at lease end. So this makes the car sellable for TOY after return and most people can get it for 395 total ($11/mt)

    Leasing is typically always gonna cost more in the end over buying, however in the case of the PiP wth 7300 off the top, its actually the best approach IMO to get this car.

    Dan
     
  19. Newtooca

    Newtooca Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    4
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base

    as said earlier two years was free....i added one more year and added the TOY insurance...

    V
     
  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ...I may be shooting for buying one used after you guys lease runs out, somone like ZH, who keeps in great shape