It surprised me to see the 2011 Toyota RAV4 at the top of the car lease deals list once again. The RAV4 which provides a great combination of horsepower, fuel economy and handling has had quite a successful run over the last few years and it shows in the way these low, lease rates continue. Perhaps, the earthquake in Japan effected these good lease deals for a while, but things seem to be back on track. You can lease a RAV4 for $199.00 a month if you're willing to make a $1965 down payment. Without the down payment, you can expect your monthly car lease payment to be around $253.00 per month.  Not bad. Running a very close second to the RAV4 is the Honda Crosstour V6 EX which leases for $330.00 a month with No Down Payment and only 35 payments required over a 36 month term. You've gotta love these 35-payment, no money down lease specials from Honda!.. Rounding out the top-5 - and all with Lease Value Ratios under 1.10% are the, Honda Accord LX Sedan,  Infiniti G25 Journey and the Nissan Altima Sedan. All of these cars have been strong car lease contenders for many months; especially Honda, Infiniti and the Nissan Altima.  What is disappointing this month is the rather poor, car lease offers on the Toyota Camrey and Corolla; two cars which normally are near the top of the monthly car lease deals.  It's been a while since Subaru has been near the top.  See the Car Lease Ratings from 1-32...
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If cash is king than why are some people willing to give it away for a depreciating asset like a new or near-new car? Then, they accuse those of us who lease cars of not being frugal enough with our money? What's up with that? It is precisely because cash is king that it makes no sense to deplete your bank account.  Life is temporary  and nothing we have can be owned forever. Would any of us pay cash up front for a life insurance policy while not knowing how long it will be needed? Life is full of uncertainties and so it makes sense to pay as we go. I really get annoyed when the so-called, financial experts like Suze Orman advise people against taking on reasonable and affordable monthly loan payments for useful luxuries in life like cars. Yes, there is a such thing as taking on car payments one cannot afford, but is that any less responsible than putting a big chunk of cash down on a used car which is bound to present repair bills?

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October 2011 Car Leasing Ratings Will be out Between October 4-7.

 October 6 Update: 

Most of the lease specials are out. Unfortunately, a couple of key car manufacturers have not published theirs. Toyota? Are you listening? 

Check back tomorrow!

Thinking about a Corvette Lease? Who can blame you? The Corvette has been a hit in every decade since the first one was built and introduced to America in 1953. It is real hard to look at any corvette from any year without appreciating the exterior beauty and yearning to get behind the wheel. The 2011/2012 Corvettes not only look great, but are rated very highly by sports car magazine reviews. The problem is, the starting price for a Corvette is around $50k - not many of us have that kind of cash to put down.  Fortunately, Chevy has answered the call for affordable financing and now offers a Corvette Lease on the 2012 models. Let's take a look at the figures and see if makes sense to lease a Corvette:

 

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