I like those cars. Admired one on the freeway today for several miles. They look great (I usually hate wagons/hatchbacks), appear to handle well, and what like 40+ MPG.
Have you checked what is on the private party market? Maybe the 1% extra on the loan would be worth the savings.
I would say buy, don't lease...unless you are worried about the longevity of the batteries ect. The car should be fine for long term ownership.
Do you have a trade in with some equity or are you able to put more than $3k down? 20% plus tt&l would be great..
Why are you looking at certified vehicles?
They just seem to be high retail plus the cost of a warranty thus being very high retail.
You should be able to get a decent used 2012 from a dealer for around $25k. I hope the ones you are looking at aren't too much more.
1. I can put down what ever but if we buy and rate is 2-3%, why put anything down,.
2. If we lease, I'll put the $2k down for special or whatever it is.
3. Used/certified... Tell me if you find something differently but very few used! Car max has 1. Cars.com has like 14 and they are all around $25-29k so I prefer the certified dealer loaner that only has 6k miles vs. the ones that are just a few grand less with 25-45k miles.
Also the one is the F Line
But a $575 car payment wasn't my thinking either so that puts me back to new and lease I think.
Last month they were $299/month but not sure what special is this month and clearly that's without all the options I want
2. If we lease, I'll put the $2k down for special or whatever it is.
3. Used/certified... Tell me if you find something differently but very few used! Car max has 1. Cars.com has like 14 and they are all around $25-29k so I prefer the certified dealer loaner that only has 6k miles vs. the ones that are just a few grand less with 25-45k miles.
Also the one is the F Line
But a $575 car payment wasn't my thinking either so that puts me back to new and lease I think.
Last month they were $299/month but not sure what special is this month and clearly that's without all the options I want
@Creditaddict wrote:
1. I can put down what ever but if we buy and rate is 2-3%, why put anything down,.
But a $575 car payment wasn't my thinking either so that puts me back to new and lease I think.
You should put as much as you can down. Otherwise you will need GAP insurance, and you will always be upside down on the vehicle (when purchasing obviously).
@$575.00 to OWN (much less with a 10-20% down payment), OR....... $299.00+ burned in a fire every month...plus the cost of dues @ signing etc.....
The ONLY vehicle I would ever lease, is one that is about $117.00/month. Gets 35-39mpg, and is used to get me from point A to B only for cheap transporation.
Starting Score: 521 TU, 597 EQ, 574 EX on 6/20/2011Yes... When you purchase, it's yours. The bank just loans the funds over time.
Lease to me, is like basically just renting/borrowing. I would never be able to tell someone "Hey! I just rented this new car!" or "Hey! Take a look at this beauty I am borrowing!"
If you always plan to have a auto loan payment, prefer to drive a new warranteed vehicle through-out the years, then it may be OK for you.
Are you interested in the Hybrid for fuel economy? You can get close to that MPG now without spending $30,000.00+ also. My 1996 Saturn commuter, gets me 35MPG average every tank. I paid $1700.00 2 years ago. My 2013 Supercharged Boss 302 if affordable, only because I commute with the Saturn. 
Hybrid or EV is the way to go for city driving.