Absolute Worst Timing Having to Lease a Car

[bowflex 0]

Hey y'all,

I write this to you hoping that if you lease your cars that you're not coming up on the time to go shopping any time soon. I got to spend my entire day yesterday driving from shop to shop and unfortunately after always buying American I'm going foreign with this lease. Somehow part of the way that the car companies are trying to stay alive is giving out their leases to banks and that's just a horrible idea since they're not going to take into account brand loyalty, only about the bottom line of the loan (I even work for a bank so I'm not trying to bash them LOL).

Going to some of the American dealerships and seeing the looks on the faces of the salesmen and women seriously hurt. When I went to the dealership where I've leased my last two cars, the poor person who helped me since I got my first new car a few years ago just had to stand there and shrug saying unless I wanted to pay BMW or Mercedes-type money for a lease that he couldn't help me. I just shook his hand and wished him luck as I can't imagine many of these car companies are doing okay with the sky-rocketing prices.

In short, living near Detroit, I'm feeling quite guilty about buying a foreign car for the first time in my life, but I most definitely tried to go American first. When I've visited my wife's family in Windsor it's just so easy to see how a dying industry is hurting both cities on the river. I just hope the car companies are able to come up with a business plan that doesn't price out loyal customers like myself.

Sorry just had to vent, I go to pick up my car tonight but I'll be very sorry to see my Commander leave on Saturday

Edited July 30, 2009 by bowflex

[Rhiannercakes 14]

My dad works for the Woodstock Toyota Plant, so I guess in a way he's brainwashed me into never buying American cars.

(The only cars I've ever driven are Toyotas, and I plan to keep it that way, since my dad works for them *coughdiscountcough* )

As much as he has, I do feel sorry for the workers of the American car companies.

They're losing jobs and because the companies are in debt so badly people aren't buying their cars because they're worried about a possible fallout on their warranties and such.

And as I've found out now, the terrible lease deals.

I do hope they can pull themselves out of debt for good, but not with anymore tax payer money.

Here's hoping that by the next time you need a new car you can get what you really, really want.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Bowflex: What car did you decide on?

Since I started driving, I always drove an American-made car. And I had it in my mind that I would always drive one. But that has changed to say the least.

People who say "Buy domestic, save our jobs".....right.

I'm going for the best deal for my dollar whoever makes the vehicle...and foreign seems to get the upper hand in that in my opinion.

I'll be in the market for a car next year & I don't think it'll be made by any of the big(?) 3.

[bowflex 0]

Bowflex: What car did you decide on?

Since I started driving, I always drove an American-made car. And I had it in my mind that I would always drive one. But that has changed to say the least.

People who say "Buy domestic, save our jobs".....right.

I'm going for the best deal for my dollar whoever makes the vehicle...and foreign seems to get the upper hand in that in my opinion.

I'll be in the market for a car next year & I don't think it'll be made by any of the big(?) 3.

I ended up deciding on the Toyota Camry. I really wanted to get another SUV but the price of those right now are just incredible. When I was sitting in the office at a guy with Ford, I was asking about the Mustang, and while he was telling me it was going to be like $550 a month and they weren't offering leases on those I noticed he had a "Out of a job yet...keep buying foreign" bumper sticker on the front of his cabinet. I just laughed to myself as I walked out LOL.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Good pick on a car I must say.

Keep it in great shape and it'll last you at least 15 years.

My fiance has a Toyota Camry from 14 years ago and it still runs fine. Rattles a bit, but that's it.

It even still gets like 22 miles to the gallon on the highway, which seems pretty darn good to me.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I really dislike American cars. If there's one thing the U.S. sucks at, it's making a good automobile.

Don't get me wrong -- most American cars have some awesome features. Unfortunately, they tent to drive like $hit. Last time I checked, it's more important for the car to drive well than have OnStar or video screens in the back seat.

The only American cars I've ever liked are the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, both of which are very expensive. It almost seems like all American automotive skills went into those two cars and the rest got whatever was left over.

I prefer German or Japanese vehicles. German cars tend to be very expensive (trust me, I know!) but are incredible cars. Unless you're purchasing a Lexus, Japanese cars usually cost less. Oddly enough, Japanese cars seem to have fewer mechanical and electronic issues than German cars.

As a side note, my grandfather refuses to buy a German car, but he has no problem getting a Japanese car. My grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, but never went to the Pacific. That's probably why. We're also Jewish, so maybe that pesky Nazi ordeal made him a little biased.

[bowflex 0]

Good pick on a car I must say.

Keep it in great shape and it'll last you at least 15 years.

My fiance has a Toyota Camry from 14 years ago and it still runs fine. Rattles a bit, but that's it.

It even still gets like 22 miles to the gallon on the highway, which seems pretty darn good to me.

Lol Thanks. Yeah I always joked with my wife that my Jeep Commander went through three gallons of gas backing out of the driveway

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Good pick on a car I must say.

Keep it in great shape and it'll last you at least 15 years.

My fiance has a Toyota Camry from 14 years ago and it still runs fine. Rattles a bit, but that's it.

It even still gets like 22 miles to the gallon on the highway, which seems pretty darn good to me.

Lol Thanks. Yeah I always joked with my wife that my Jeep Commander went through three gallons of gas backing out of the driveway

[JillA 2]

I really dislike American cars. If there's one thing the U.S. sucks at, it's making a good automobile.

Don't get me wrong -- most American cars have some awesome features. Unfortunately, they tent to drive like $hit. Last time I checked, it's more important for the car to drive well than have OnStar or video screens in the back seat.

The only American cars I've ever liked are the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, both of which are very expensive. It almost seems like all American automotive skills went into those two cars and the rest got whatever was left over.

I prefer German or Japanese vehicles. German cars tend to be very expensive (trust me, I know!) but are incredible cars. Unless you're purchasing a Lexus, Japanese cars usually cost less. Oddly enough, Japanese cars seem to have fewer mechanical and electronic issues than German cars.

As a side note, my grandfather refuses to buy a German car, but he has no problem getting a Japanese car. My grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, but never went to the Pacific. That's probably why. We're also Jewish, so maybe that pesky Nazi ordeal made him a little biased.

I agree, I'll never buy American again. I've had problems with my old GM vehicle, family members have as well with Ford. My Mazda and sister's Honda are great cars and have lasted well through the years will little problems. My husband has a Toyota and it's great as well. I'll always buy foreign from now on

[DeadPoolX 9]

I really dislike American cars. If there's one thing the U.S. sucks at, it's making a good automobile.

Don't get me wrong -- most American cars have some awesome features. Unfortunately, they tent to drive like $hit. Last time I checked, it's more important for the car to drive well than have OnStar or video screens in the back seat.

The only American cars I've ever liked are the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, both of which are very expensive. It almost seems like all American automotive skills went into those two cars and the rest got whatever was left over.

I prefer German or Japanese vehicles. German cars tend to be very expensive (trust me, I know!) but are incredible cars. Unless you're purchasing a Lexus, Japanese cars usually cost less. Oddly enough, Japanese cars seem to have fewer mechanical and electronic issues than German cars.

As a side note, my grandfather refuses to buy a German car, but he has no problem getting a Japanese car. My grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, but never went to the Pacific. That's probably why. We're also Jewish, so maybe that pesky Nazi ordeal made him a little biased.

I agree, I'll never buy American again. I've had problems with my old GM vehicle, family members have as well with Ford. My Mazda and sister's Honda are great cars and have lasted well through the years will little problems. My husband has a Toyota and it's great as well. I'll always buy foreign from now on

Technically speaking... wouldn't an American car be considered "foreign" in Canada?

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I really dislike American cars. If there's one thing the U.S. sucks at, it's making a good automobile.

Don't get me wrong -- most American cars have some awesome features. Unfortunately, they tent to drive like $hit. Last time I checked, it's more important for the car to drive well than have OnStar or video screens in the back seat.

The only American cars I've ever liked are the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, both of which are very expensive. It almost seems like all American automotive skills went into those two cars and the rest got whatever was left over.

I prefer German or Japanese vehicles. German cars tend to be very expensive (trust me, I know!) but are incredible cars. Unless you're purchasing a Lexus, Japanese cars usually cost less. Oddly enough, Japanese cars seem to have fewer mechanical and electronic issues than German cars.

As a side note, my grandfather refuses to buy a German car, but he has no problem getting a Japanese car. My grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, but never went to the Pacific. That's probably why. We're also Jewish, so maybe that pesky Nazi ordeal made him a little biased.

I agree, I'll never buy American again. I've had problems with my old GM vehicle, family members have as well with Ford. My Mazda and sister's Honda are great cars and have lasted well through the years will little problems. My husband has a Toyota and it's great as well. I'll always buy foreign from now on

Technically speaking... wouldn't an American car be considered "foreign" in Canada?

Good point.

Maybe they're considered "North American" cars, since Canada has car plants for them too. But we also have "foreign car" plants too.

From what I've heard anyway, some US car companies ship alot of parts from China, so doesn't that make them foreign too?

[SapphireDreams 71]

My Dad is a car salesman at a Ford dealership. He's been selling a decent amount of cars still in spite of the market. It's the credit that people want that they have trouble with. A lot of people are trying to buy cars with zero to little down and a crazy monthly payment. It's a risk, you can't blame them. And, they make most of their money on the pre-owned cards anyways.... so a leased car doesn't bring in as much income.

I think it's all relative. There are still a lot of people who prefer and will always drive a Ford. My Dad meets these people every day at this job. He also meets a lot of people who find themselves at Ford because they can get a good deal.

[Donna A 4]

well for myself i drive gm because one...i have good luck with them and two....i work (before i got laid off that is) for them. but my husband likes his bmw's. he is up for a new car in november. he wanted a corvette more then anything but when at the chevy dealer the saleman (a former bmw salesman) told him he is crazy if he leaves bmw for a corvette. bmw's are far nicer and better....lets not forget this is a chevy salesman telling him that. well there went a sale from gm to bmw because of that big mouth. now the perfect bmw search is on. his friend is going to finish off his lease and my husband will start a new lease on another bmw.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

This is interesting because I've been looking at cars lately myself. I got rid of my old Pontiac when I moved down here, so sometime in the next few months I'm going to have to make a purchase. My conscious tells me to buy American... I want to support the economy, and the expansion of the job market within the US. I don't want Detroit to die. But, unfortunately, the reality now is that foreign manufacturers, I think of Toyota as a prime example, employs more Americans in the continental US then any of the big 3 American companies. So, when we buy American what are we really supporting? They continue to run their businesses in an unsustainable fashion and they all lack the creativity and ingenuity you are now seeing from lot of foreign manufacturers. Its a sad reality, but times be a changin'!

I have my fingers crossed for a comeback, but I'm not holding my breath.

I've been considering a new Fusion Hybrid... But I also like the Camry's, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse (this one makes my fiance angry for some reason... )

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I also think the Camry is a good choice. I test drove one last year when my old Chevy died.

This may be weird, but my fiance & I like to go & take cars out for runs for fun (we're not really in the market right now) lol.

I really liked a BMW we took out once(one of the 3 series models). Loved the way it drove, hated the price, haha.

Right now, I'm looking at Subaru after I move over to the U.S. Either the Legacy or WRX. Main difference is the transmission.... I have finally got the jist of driving stick after driving my fiance's car...but do I really want one???

Either...fun car & manual OR nice car & auto.....