Is it possible to get out of a car lease early?

[labdogs42]

I never leased a vehicle before and I'm one year in on mytwo year lease and I really dislike the car. So, of course, I can tough it out for the rest of the lease and then dump it or I can find a way to get aout of the lease. Anyone have any experience with this? Can it be done? Or should I just suck it up and drive the less than optimal car for another 14 months? Suggestions?

 

[Dsnyfireman]

I traded out of my lease. Had a new ford ranger and after 11 times in the shop I went to the Chevy dealer and traded it for a new truck. They paid off the lease part and then bought the truck at the pre agreed end of lease price. I got a good deal on the trade and the new truck. So yes you can be out of it. You want to check with the dealer you leased from, they may do a deal to put you in something you like more too. Good luck.

 

[labdogs42]

I traded out of my lease. Had a new ford ranger and after 11 times in the shop I went to the Chevy dealer and traded it for a new truck. They paid off the lease part and then bought the truck at the pre agreed end of lease price. I got a good deal on the trade and the new truck. So yes you can be out of it. You want to check with the dealer you leased from, they may do a deal to put you in something you like more too. Good luck.

Good to know. I have a Kia and I want a Chrysler. Wonder if I can work that out. I'll start looking into it in more earnest. I never should have gone away from a mini van! I love them too much!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Anyone have any experience with this?
. . . lots of people want out early
. . . some leases have a "out clause"
. . . but, it will cost you dearly (normally rights to your first born)
. . . usually only by trading for another lease of same manufacturer
. . . BUT, the lease balance will be transferred to the new lease
. . . so, you still pay for unused time and unused miles

Can it be done?


Or should I just suck it up and drive the less than optimal car for another 14 months?
. . . yep
. . . just mark it down as a "Speed Bump on the Road of Life"

 

[labdogs42]

Or should I just suck it up and drive the less than optimal car for another 14 months?
. . . yep
. . . just mark it down as a "Speed Bump on the Road of Life"

That's what I kinda figured. That's OK. The 2014 Town and Country might be even cooler than the '13. I can wait!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

eww........

Before you start drooling over a Chrysler T&C I encourage you to do some research. It has been rated as one of the least reliable minivans out there. There have also been several threads here that attest to issues with quality. We are not talking about the perceptions after 30/60/90 days, but the reliability 1/2/3/4 years after the vehicle was built.

Each spring, Consumer Reports has an automotive issue that can be very helpful when selecting a new vehicle for your driveway.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

If you are wanting a mini van, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Honda or Toyota if you want it to last.

 

[jboysen]

We have a 2006 Chrysler town and country and we have had only one problem. The air conditioner developed a leak last summer. It was $700 to fix but other than new tires after 3 trips to WDW from MN and a trip to tucson AZ that's to be expected. My best friend started leasing a 2012 last Aug and has had zero problems with hers. I totally recommend them!

 

[quentina]

I had 3...yes 3....T&C. All bought brand new, all with long warranty (one was lifetime). Anyway, all 3 got transmissions replaced. Yep, all 3. Most people learn after one or 2...nope, not me. Third time was not the charm so, I am officially down with all Chrysler products.

Now for the $$$, you can't beat the options, just be sure to buy extended warranty.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I had 3...yes 3....T&C. All bought brand new, all with long warranty (one was lifetime). Anyway, all 3 got transmissions replaced. Yep, all 3. Most people learn after one or 2...nope, not me. Third time was not the charm so, I am officially down with all Chrysler products.

Now for the $$$, you can't beat the options, just be sure to buy extended warranty.

Out of 7 Chysler/Dodge vans that I have owned 1 had transmission trouble. Out of the 2 Honda vans we owned...2 had transmission trouble, 1 @ 5k mi. So there ya go.

 

[MichelleVW]

Anyone have any experience with this?
. . . lots of people want out early
. . . some leases have a "out clause"
. . . but, it will cost you dearly (normally rights to your first born)
. . . usually only by trading for another lease of same manufacturer
. . . BUT, the lease balance will be transferred to the new lease
. . . so, you still pay for unused time and unused miles

Can it be done?


Or should I just suck it up and drive the less than optimal car for another 14 months?
. . . yep
. . . just mark it down as a "Speed Bump on the Road of Life"

You don't know my husband lol. We've leased many cars and he never keeps them until the lease is up...heck not even close and we always get a good deal.

 

[tvguy]

eww........

Before you start drooling over a Chrysler T&C I encourage you to do some research. It has been rated as one of the least reliable minivans out there. There have also been several threads here that attest to issues with quality. We are not talking about the perceptions after 30/60/90 days, but the reliability 1/2/3/4 years after the vehicle was built.

Each spring, Consumer Reports has an automotive issue that can be very helpful when selecting a new vehicle for your driveway.

Yeah, my mechanic tells folks to run from any Chrysler product made since Mercedes dumped them in 2007.

 

[labdogs42]

You don't know my husband lol. We've leased many cars and he never keeps them until the lease is up...heck not even close and we always get a good deal.

and would you care to elaborate on how he manages to do that?

I had a Dodge Grand Caravan that lasted a good 12 years before this Kia Sorento. I thought I wanted a smaller, sportier vehicle. I was totally wrong! I have had good luck with Dodge/Chrysler products before, so I'm pretty sold on getting one again. To each their own, but I happen to like the T&C even if it isn't the "highest" rated.

 

[MichelleVW]

and would you care to elaborate on how he manages to do that?

I had a Dodge Grand Caravan that lasted a good 12 years before this Kia Sorento. I thought I wanted a smaller, sportier vehicle. I was totally wrong! I have had good luck with Dodge/Chrysler products before, so I'm pretty sold on getting one again. To each their own, but I happen to like the T&C even if it isn't the "highest" rated.

He has an awesome car dealer.....honestly no idea how...but my husband is a genius at the car game.

 

[labdogs42]

He has an awesome car dealer.....honestly no idea how...but my husband is a genius at the car game.

Bummer. He should write a blog or something! I hate buying cars. I always feel like I'm getting ripped off, even if I'm getting a good deal!

 

[DawnM]

And out of those two, I would pick the Toyota. I have three friends with Toyota Siennas who have OVER 200K miles on them and they are still running strong.

I do not have a van, but our 2004 Toyota Sequoia with 150K miles or so on it drives like the day we bought it.

Some of my Honda owner friends have had transmission trouble.

But I would never pick a T&C. They look pretty and they have some cool interior features, but if the engine has issues, they are not all that pretty!

Dawn

If you are wanting a mini van, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Honda or Toyota if you want it to last.

 

[dancin Disney style]

He has an awesome car dealer.....honestly no idea how...but my husband is a genius at the car game.

Speaking as someone who sold cars for many years....
The customer who thinks they got the best deal usually paid the most.

You can't get out of a lease without penalty. Basically, it's all just numbers on paper. If you trade in a leased car before the lease is up all they will do is roll the remaining amount over to the new car. So you are still paying...one way or another. You will do slightly better if you are staying with the same brand. Unless money is of no concern for you the best thing to do is just keep the car until the lease is up.


As to the Chrylser comments....my DH worked for them for many years and the negative remarks are all pretty much spot on. He had several company demos that needed big repairs after just a month or two. He would actually say that everything they make is garbage.

 

[MineMail]

We've leased many cars and he never keeps them until the lease is up...heck not even close and we always get a good deal.

We haven't leased in many years, but the dealers often had a "pull ahead" promotion that wasn't advertised, where they would allow you to trade in your leased car for a new leased car. (They also do it for financed purchases.). It's a new lease, so don't expect the amount to be the same.

Your best bet is to see if there's a big dealership that offers your current/preferred brands. They have more flexibility in handling transactions like this as well as access to financing.

 

[dcfromva]

A solution might be to have someone assume your lease.
I have never leased a car, so I have never used these web sites--but I found this with a google search:
http://www.leasetrader.com/

http://www.swapalease.com/

Here is an article on Edmunds.com:Get Out of Your Lease the Cheap and Easy Way Or Save Big by Assuming a Short-Term Lease

 

[Alexander]

We haven't leased in many years, but the dealers often had a "pull ahead" promotion that wasn't advertised, where they would allow you to trade in your leased car for a new leased car. (They also do it for financed purchases.). It's a new lease, so don't expect the amount to be the same.

Your best bet is to see if there's a big dealership that offers your current/preferred brands. They have more flexibility in handling transactions like this as well as access to financing.

Agreed! We leased for years, always ended anywhere from 4 to 9 months early and never paid to get out of the first lease or had months rolled onto the next one. See if you can find a dealership that has multiple manufacturers. We have gone from Pontiac to Jeep to Chevy to GMC to Hummer back to GMC at the same dealership. The last time we ended a lease and purchased without penalty.