My lease ends 5/20 so I have to give back the S really soon. I was wondering what your expereince was with the return process. My concerns are that i do have multiple damages, scrape in the back bumper, crack and scratches on the front bumper b/c the car is so low, a nice dent from someone opening their car door too hard. Any imput would be helpful, dont' want to get screwed b/c I have heard some bad stories.

 

Rx,

Read your "termination" clause in your lease contract. It will tell you what damage the lessor will charge you for.

Most of the language is vague- example you are responsible for "paint damage"; well that could be a scrape the size of your arm or a stone chip.

The problems begin with the application of the language to your situation, by the person inspecting your car at turn in.

First, take it to a body shop an tell them you want to put it back to lease-end condition. They may be able to cover some of the major stuff for short money so it will slide by at inspection.

When you turn it in, make sure you get a release that says you're clean before you walk away. You don't want Goober and Gomer making up their minds in the back room with your money.

If a "discussion" breaks out, try to use the words "normal wear and tear" a lot.
If there are no specifics in your contract that nails performance, i.e. "There must be 4 tires of equal size, type, and manufacturer, have 18/32nds of tread remaining" you can debate what "normal" is.

To give you an example of normal, Mercedes considers all damage, in and out, that can be covered by a credit card to be 'normal'. If you can't cover the dent/tear/scratch with a card, the repair meter starts running. But that's Mercedes, YMMV.

It sounds like if you turn it in the way it is now, you will be in for a big bill.

Good luck.

Regards,
BD

 

So if you have a no-limit card, then you can cover anything, so you could bring the car back "totalled" and that's still considered normal wear & tear, right?

I still remember when my college roommate told me that his mom had put her new Jag on her AmEx card so she could get airline points or something. Some people have too much money.

 

Some other things to consider.

They don't like you to know this, but the residual IS negotiable now. All things being equal, they don't want the car back. If your risidual is say, $17k and you negotiate them down to say $14K, then you could buy out the lease, then go an sell your car in a private sale and possible get that $17k for it. Then you just made $3k. $3k would be worth a fair ammount of hassle in my book. YMMV.

Tell them you want to turn the car in. They will try to sell you a loan for the remaining ammount. Say, no, you just want to turn it in. Then they will offer you a lower residual, once they offer you a lower residual the doors are open for you to make YOUR offer.

 

Honda just sent me the stuff in the mail of what they consider 'normal' wear

Dings: chargable as follows
A small dent with the damaged area less than 1 1/2" in diameter
-4 or more per panel
-less than 4 dings per panel - first 3 panels are not subject to charge
-4th and subsejent panels are chargeable regardless of number of dings
Any damage larger than 1 1/2" in diamw\eter is donsidered a dent and chargeable

scratches: any scratches that can be caught by fingernail
chargeble as follows
-more than 2 scratches per panel
-any scratch more than 3" in length

paint
-ext paint that is etched, stained or damaged by tree sap
-touch up paint is consideredunrepaired damage and subject to charge

windshield: all windshield cracks, stars and bullseyes
-damage larger than a dime requires windshiel replacement
-damage smaller than a dime will be charged for repair(one repair per windshield)
-other broken or cracked glass

tires: chargeable as follows
-less than 1/8" of tread at lowest point requires tire replacement

safety items: chargeable as follows
-cracked or broken lenses,glass, mirrors

the is the basics, there is more stuff the y look for but this should give u an idea.
also u can call 1-800-807-7670 and schedule a free inspection and they will look over ur vehicle and they will tell u what u should be expecting to pay

 

Dude, I think it means that if the credit card can be placed on top of the damage and physically hide it, then you won't be charged for that damage.

 

"they" meaning honda financial or your local dealer? you can turn your car in to any honda dealer, not just the dealer you leased your car from, right?

 

I mis-interpreted what it meant to "cover" something with a credit card.

 

I will try to find when they started it, but I know it is now Honda Financial's policy to "forgive" up to $1,500 in damages at lease turn in. Sounds like to be your damage would be under this limit - IF this applies to your lease. I will try to find out when they started this policy and if it is retroactive. I think this is a good policy, since having them nit-pick and charge you for stuff is NOT the way to get you to lease or buy another car from them.

If you can ask for a pre-lease-end inspection that would be the best thing. A lot of 3rd party lease banks to this no matter if you ask for it or not. They give your (and the bank) a full report and tell you what, if anything is a charged item. Then before the lease actually ends you have the option of getting the items fixed or replaced or turn it in and pay them to do it. Much nicer than some captive lease companies - you turn in the car and they send you a bill later!

Also, ruexp67 is wrong. Honda Financial will no longer negotiate the buyout price on a lease. They might offer you a decent or discount finance rate if you want to buy it, but they no longer negotiate the price. If you turn it in, the dealer you turn it in to can make them an offer on the car and they will say yes or no (no dealing, they get one shot) .

Dennis

 

you're actaully giving it back??? whoa.... just by the damn thing.. hehehehe..