artie -- there is no right answer. for some reason i feel like sharing this morning, so here are my reasons for leasing which might apply to you.

-- i drive under 15K miles/year

-- an 05 G35 6MT has a 60% residiual at the end of the 36 months driving 15K, and 61% at 12K. fiigure it out, you only pay for the time you use the car, which equates to 40% of the value. if you do the lease comparison on cars that don't hold their value as much, it appears that the infiniti is a better car to lease than many others.

-- all of the above means nothing if the money factor (the interest rate) is too high. the current money factor on any infiniti for january 2005 is .00179 except for the G35X which is .00172. that's not american car cheap, but it's not a bad rate -- the .00179 MF equals 4.3%. the numbers are from IFS (infiniti financial services)

-- i just traded my 03 G35 6MT for an 05 6MT. why? at 27K miles my only from Goodyear tires would need replacement soon, and even if i changed sizes, i was still looking at $800 in tires at a minimum. probably closer to 1K. so that was money that was going to be spent regardless. getting the new car put me $1,800 out of pocket WHICH INCLUDED the first month (i would have had to pay next week anyway), i no longer need new tires (new cars come with those), i got 38 more HP to enjoy along with some other improvements, i am driving a brand new car, AND, in my case, i am paying $37 LESS per month. so my net out of pocket difference was about $400 to be in the 05.

-- DISCLAIMER: i actually purchased more miles up front on my 03 lease which made this trade slightly, but not much easier, PM me if you need more info

so lease versus buy is not black or white, but in the case of infiiniti, it's probably one of the best cars available for lease.

ah, one more thing. back in 03, the money factor was higher on the coupe versus the sedan. why? i suppose that it was the desire factor. the coupe was arguably the "hotter" G35 and since Infiniti knew that a coupe buyer would buy it anyway, they could charge more for "rent". this year the cars are closer, and rate is identical.

also, if you look at leasing in general, the money factors for hotter, male focused cars are always higher.

lastly, BUY LEASEWIZARD! this tool is awesome and will let you walk into any dealer completely armed with the right numbers for the deal. my two cents.

 

soflkurtz - what did u get for your trade and what are the details of your new lease....term, payments, etc? Thanks for sharing.

 

The depreciation of your car is not reliant upon whether you buy or lease. It is the same. A car's depreciation is quickest in the first 2-3 years regardless. Getting out of your car early can be tough either way. If you want to limit your possible losses wait longer. This is all about your payoff vs the value. I have gotten got out of a lease after 4 months, and it cost me a early termination fee of $250. I achieved this by advertising the vehicle and arranged to have the new buyer buy out my lease, of which you CAN do.
Again, there are alot of good resources online. Do your research, learn of all your options, and don't listen to just one person. That one might have gotten burned one way or another in the past, resulting in emotional business advice.

-Start by knowing your needs and the changing conditions that you want to be prepared for.
-Research the resale values of a 3-year-old versions of the cars that you are considering.
-Research the interest rate specials and/or money factor/lease rates on those cars.
-Go to a dealer and ask for a blank purchase or lease contract to read, they probably won't let you take one home.
- If you are considering leasing, know about mileage restriants, how you can add more, and how it affects your residual and why. Gap coverage is important, but nearly all manufacture's lender (IFS) and banks (GE Captial) include this. It is to their advantage too.
Finally, if you negotiate it right, the G35 will be a great car either way you go, lease or buy.

 

The simple truth is, cars are a depreciation, you really have to be honest with yourself as to how long you really see yourself driving the car.

My situation pointed me towards a lease, I work out my home drive about 10k a year, so it worked out.

The lease makes the most sense if you don't drive a ton a year, and you want a lower payment.
Purchase makes sense if you plan on keeping the car beyond the financing period- 60mos or more.

Just keep in mind that no matter what you're driving a G!

 

I know, I know, pics... I live in MN and the car is salty all the freakin time!!!! Soon~

 

i don't mind leasing. i did full calculations on lease/buy options, incl financing the buyout of the lease. there's not much difference. for me, $2-3k isnt' a big deal when it's over a long period of time. that said... i actually don't plan on financing the buyout (59% residual) and plan on paying cash (also depends on if i want to keep it cuz I may upgrade to the M45).

 

I was curious if I was upside down in my financing....

I bought a used 03.5 G35 w/ 14,000 miles for $27,400 or $29,400 out the door.
Put a downpmnt of about $4500
I financed $24,500 at 3.75% for 66 mo @ $402/mo, total loan cost= $26,532

I have made 17 payments=$6800 paid

Balance of Loan=26,500 - 6800 = $19700

Edmunds estimated resale value is: $22,400
That leaves me with $2700 if I sell it today...

So, I with my I started out with $4500 in my pocket before I bought, meaning I have lost $1800. I have had the car for 17 months, so I have paid about $105/ month to drive my G (not including costs like gas, maintenance, or insurance that you will pay on all cars). I am ok with paying about a $100/month to drive my car...

Now if I had leased, wouldn't I be paying something like $450-470 to drive my car (albeit brand new), probably would have put down a deposit, PLUS pay gap insurance, and I would still have the same gas, insurance, and maintenance to pay.

Someone tell me if I did some funny Math but, to me it looks like in my situation,
Own=$105/month
Lease=$500+/month


g4ian

 

Edmunds.com is a great resource. But what you actually sell the car for and what they estimate the value is can be two quite different numbers. But lets forgo this for now.
Given the depreciation of your capital investment of $4500 to $2700 being $1800.
With the sum of your monthly payments, being $6834, together total $8634.
This per month for each of the 17 comes out to $507.88
I leased mine in August w/ $4739 down @ a monthly payment of $283 incl tax.
This per month for each of the 17 comes out to $561.76
Later...@ the end of my lease..
After 39 months you will have paid $ 4500 + $15,678(402*39) = $20178
After 39 months I will have paid $ 4739 + $11037(283*39) = $15,776
Now granted you will have some equity built up, but I doubt $4402 worth.
And you will have to haggle with the next buyer t o get what you can.
Lastly, as you pointed out.. I got mine new and yours was used.

 

Yes you did some funny math

I'd like see how it turns out. I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

leasing in most situations is the less favorable option. For the most people buying the car is the 'better' financial option. I say 'better" because a car is rarely a good financial option!

 

I just got in touch with a dealer in Van Nuys, CA and he quoted me 4.9% APR with Infiniti Financial now thats a little higher than what I expected since my credit score is in 740's. He also quoted me on a lease I told him an 05 sedan with premium package and navi along with a $3000-$4000k down with monthly payments for around $400, now is that a little pricey or am I wrong? I definitely started to lean towards a lease cause it will give me a breathing room (low monthly payments as opposed to financing) plus I will get to save some money while I lease so at the end of the lease I wont have to refinance and buy the car with an APR Ill just pay cash and buyout the car. Now the money factor I am curious how can I calculate what my money factor on the lease will be with my credit score of 743 and how it will affect my monthly payments. I am so obsessed with this car that its causing problems in my relationship lol.

 

Was that Miller Infinity? How many months in the lease and how many miles per month if you don't mind.