Lease Prices v. Buy Prices - Your experiences are appreciated
 

I am the current owner of a '02 Acura TL-Type S but have recently fallen for our beloved RX-8. Everything about the car appeals to me. I drove one about three weeks ago and loved it! The sweet sounds of the Rotory blew me away! I owned a last generation 300ZX 2+2 prior to the Acura (which I thought was a great sports car) and the new 8 adds to that feeling plus some. I have been a fan of this site for a month now and appreciate all the info that I have received.

I am writing today because I am curious to know your experiences with the ordering and purchasing of your new RX-8's. There is an 8 coming into my local dealership with the options that I want (Lightning Yellow, GT, Appearance, Spoiler, & Rotory Accent). My local dealer as told me that the only way I can reserve a car is to plunk down $2 grand! He said if I don't do that then I'll be taking my chances because only a hand full of the first 70 cars they're getting in are going to be Yellow.

Is $2k what your hearing? I plan on leasing the 8 and do not want to put any money down. Possibly 3 - 4 year lease is what I have in mind. I like to be well prepared heading into negotiations and would like to here what some of you have experienced with your lease prices. Thank you in advance for your responses.

Congrats to all those who have already taken purchase of their 8 and patience to those who are waiting.

?
 

Can't help you on the lease question as I bought mine straight out. I would ask your dealer if he would return the $2K you plunk down since you are leasing.

Is he aksing you for a $2K deposit to reserve the car or is he asking for it as a down payment? Barring credit problems, I don't know of any dealer that can force you to put down any sort of money that are outside the terms of the lease.

What would happen if you went to your bank, instead of the dealer for a "no money down" lease? What would the dealer do with your $2K, then?

Get it in writing and signed by yourself and the sales manager at the dealership that the $2k deposit is:

1. fully refundable in the event the order is cancelled by either party for any reason
2. purely to show good faith on your side and will be refunded (if the check is even cashed by the dealer) during the purchase/lease process.

They should have no problems with that unless they are planning to swindle you. Normally I would only put down a $500-$1000 deposit.

$1000 refundable
 

I ordered an 8 two weeks ago...had to put $1000 deposit.....fully refundable! $2000 is high...get them to agree to $1000 or order your car.

Yeah 2K is high. Most people have put down 1K. Get it in Writing.

Refundable

Good luck

My RX-8 should be in later next week.. I had to put a fair $500.00 deposit to hold the deal. It is the color I want, plus has all the options I think will make it look great. 2K is too steep and unnecessary.