Hey guys,

I came across a 05 Sebring S2000 that I really like. It has black/red interior which is what I am really looking for. The car is at a used car lot and is a 1 owner car. The Carfax shows the previous owner leased it. He owned it for 2 yr and 9 mon and drove 62k mile which seemed like alot of miles on a lease to me. Also, I know leases normally go 3 years so it also looks like he turned it in early.

The car has matched tires (Toyo T1S) and a Magnaflow Exhaust and K&N intake which leads me to believe an enthusiast owned it. The has does have minor rock chips on the front bumper and some curb rash.

Do you guys think I should go for it? Should I be worried the car came off a lease? Do the miles seem high for a leased car and a 05 model? I hear stories of people not maintaining their leases and beating them up which worries me but I am somewhat comforted that the car was probably owned by an enthusiast who daily drove it. Could carfax possibly be wrong in indicating the car was leased? The car seems nice and the price is fair so I'd like to move on it fast.

Thanks!

 

This is NOT a car I would buy post-lease. Everything is a gamble and you could get lucky, but I think odds are, any money you save on purchase will be lost in service or repairs. This is a great car that will last, but was intended to be driven and maintained in a certain way. The good/bad thing about the S is that Honda has changed so little on the car that you can buy an older one and not sacrifice much. Find an 03 or 04 that has been babied and belongs to the original owner. There are plenty out there. Curious, what is it you do not like about the one you have?

 

i'd think any non-new s2000 is going to be thrashed because if you don't push your car you're certainly not having any fun. any used car i'd be wary of transmission damage, mis-shifts/over-revving, and maintenance issues. lucky for me i got mine off a co-worker (got the car 100% stock).

 

I personally would avoid any off-lease car. I have known too many people who lease cars and then drive and maintain them like they don't own them - which they don't. The maintenance costs are on them, so why should they bother putting money into it when they know they're just going to turn the car in at the end?

One of my co-workers with a leased car changes the oil every 20,000 miles, with the same thinking - why bother if he's just going to turn it in? He also drives it like he stole it. I would hate to be the next owner of his car.

There are a lot of used cars on the market. Unless they have all the maintenace records, pass on this one and keep looking.

 

I bought out my lease.

Any used car is a gamble. ANY.

 

My first S was a former lease. It only had 16k miles on it so I thought, eh it should be fine. I had so many stupid problems with that car (especially with the car constantly falling out of alignment) that I finally gave up on it. I'm with everyone here in their advice: Do not get a former lease S2000.

 

[QUOTE=clag,Jul 5 2009, 02:08 AM] This is NOT a car I would buy post-lease.

 

My car was originally a lease car. It was leased until 60k then sold to my PO and then purchased by me.

Zero problems. VERY well maintained car.

Hell, my 98 540i 6-speed was a lease car and I bought it at 72k miles 3 years ago. 100% stock and PERFECTLY maintained.

 

Aren't lease vehicles maintained at the dealership where the contract resides? I would think that fact would make sure maintainence was done on time and adequately.

I've also bought a previously leased vehicle. The vehicle was bought by the previous owner with 30k miles on it and I bought it with 40k miles. The car is immaculate and appears to have been maintained appropriately.

I think with a car like this you can treat the vehicle like any other used vehicle. Look for the normal body lines, records, etc. and make a decision based on your research. However, if it was a typical honda civic where typical owners use it for A to B transportation then I would be a bit more skeptical.

Like others have said, any used vehicle purchase is a gamble.

 

i bought mine 100% stock with only 42k miles