ayap888

I was doing some homework today - road tested the BMW Z4 2.5 tiptronic, the RX8 automatic, and the BMW 325i tip.

The fastest was BMW Z4 -- felt like it was in the low 7s from 0-60. Then the 325i was decent - felt like 7.8s - 8 sec. flat from 0-60. But the 325i and Z4 were really very smooth rides .. wow.

Then I went to the Mazda dealer and tested the RX8 auto. Three people in the car - my wife, me, and the sales man. The Auto was actually peppy and I like its ride better than the C230 Mercedes I test drove last week. From what I gathered, I think the RX8 Automatic 0-60 is somwhere around 8.3 - 8.7 sec. with 3 people in it. I believe with one person in it - it could have a decent 7.6-8.0 sec 0-60 mph.

For a person like me (not a teenager anymore), the auto has a decent pick up. But my wife got turned off by the lease amount $485/month with $530 down We just came from BMW where the lease for a 325i was $4000 down and $350/month. My wife likes the 325i. But I like the Z4. ... gawdam.

310Guy

If you want to stand out, get the RX-8.

If you want to be like eveyone else, get a BMW - especially the 325.

I dunno, you seem to be comparing apples to oranges with the cars you are test driving. Either way, good luck in your search.

WHealy

Shop your lease as hard *** you shop for car price. Some guys have said they got $300 per month 24 month term leases on 04's still on the lot with 0 down. That might make a difference. Remember $4000 down over 3 years is and additional $110 without doing interest lost.

Fanman

That sounds pretty high. You should shop around. I was looking at leasing before I bought. At Star Mazda (Glendale) they gave me a ridiculous figure, and wouldn't acknowledge a $1000 rebate reduction off from Mazda leasing. Later at the other dealership I went to, they said no problem, and offered me much better financing terms (on top of the $1K off of the lease), and it would have saved me about $60-$70/mos for 36 mos. I finally decided to buy as I wanted to fix it up a bit (OK, quite a bit).

IZoomZoomI

all wives like bimmers...

scoopman

So many people get taken in on leases! You're looking at the wrong thing if your starting point is monthly payment.

While a lower monthly payment for more car is one main reason people look to a lease, the dealer plays games that can lower the payment but leave you with a much higher payment at the end of the lease if you want to buy the car, for example.

Main thing to do is to negotiate the price FIRST before saying you want to lease the car -- 9 times out of 10 the price they do will be higher if you say you want to lease the car, because the dealer is very effectively able to hide the price given to you through the lease.

I just financed my RX8 today, and I was told at least in Nor Cal that Mazda has a $2500 factory rebate to dealers for leases, so your price on a leased vehicle should be set by you to be lower than if you financed it.

Icemastr

The Z4 is a different car than the RX-8. Your comparing a payment with a much higher down to one with less down. If your the one driving the car choose the one you want with the terms you can afford.

irish8

Ah...I bought my 8, the payments are no where near your lease quote!! Shop around. As the earlier responses stated, they dealer will negotiate aggressively on the remaining 04's sitting on there lot's. Now is th time to strike and lock-in a deal.

Good luck!! Oh, yeah...get the 3.0 if you go Bimmer....

- Irish

arattle

Good info so far from people, but also don't forget about BMW lease details...I believe they only give you 10k miles per year, I think Mazda gives 12-15k (you can choose). At 10k a year, and if you drive 15k (average), you are paying 5000x$.25/mile extra $1250, or over $100/month. Not small change by any means.

-arattle

TownDrunk

Just a bit more regarding the lease... Sure, price is important, but more important is the Price vs Residual difference...

For instance, if you talk them down to say $28K but have a $12K residual, the lease will work out to be the same as $30K with a $14K residual. So, you can really forget the price, and rather work on getting the highest residual possible. In a lease, you pay on the difference between the two. Of course, the better your credit, the better the "money factor" should be which is essentially the interest on the "loan." One other thing (when leasing), if you can drive a short distance where there may be a lower sales tax (like going form LA county to San Diego county), you'll end up paying less per month since the tax is applied to the monthly lease payment and not the total cost of the vehicle.

rotten42

I did a lease...and when I talked to the salesman I told him I hadn't decided on buying or leasing. I'm of the same opinion as you....determine the price of the car first. That's the same as if you are going to trade a car in.

Anyway I got a very good deal. Just ask "Blue Frenzy". He's been trying to get the same deal as me and can't.

Yes, the buy-out at the end of the lease can be high but you need to keep in mind how well the car will hold its value. The RX8 is expected to hold its value quite well, so the buy-out may not be an issue.

Just do you're homework first.

rotten42

Let me shine some light on the BMW's. I know someone who worked at a local dealership. (Canada) There is a reason why they offer such cheap lease rates on BMW's these days. Its because there mark-up is so high on the price of the car. In Calgary a loaded 325 goes for around 42k. There is $7500 in mark-up on that price. Most cars have a markup of around $2500.

I know price is an important factor in getting a car, but try and go with your gut feeling as to which car you feel best in. You don't want to be secind guessing yourself everytime to see a RX8 (or other car)....you have to drive this car everyday...amke the right decision for the right reasons....after all its only money.

Icemastr

The banks set the residual values not the dealership. Leasing can be a good way to go because you can get lower payments and a shorter term, decide you don't want the car just return it when the lease is up and pick up another car or possibly get some bonus cash for the lease return to purchase another car from that manufacturer. If your payoff for the car is higher than what other cars are going for return it and buy a similar used car or if the payoff is less than the value of the car just purchase it at the end of the lease. Know how many miles you usually drive and its more than the lease? you can figure it into the lease. You have all sorts of options just because a dealer quoted you a payment doesnt mean thats what it will come out to, you have lots of options on what you want to do.