I'm looking to lease a new TSX. Problem is there is NO 6 speed cars in my area. I can get a nice lease on a 2004 model, but I can't find the car I want. Should I just wait for the 2005s to arrive and see what the lease deals are on those? Or should I venture out of my area to find a 2004? I'm just afraid the 2005 lease deals aren't going to be as attractive.

One more thing...I know you can't do much in the way of modifications to a leased car, but what about window tint? I don't think I can live without some tint. It doesn't seem like a big deal if I take it off before I turn the car in. Thanks for your help! Great site by the way!

 

It's definitely worth the wait for a 2005 to get a 6MT. Forget about what domn (and all those 5AT guys -- they're all sour about it anyways ) will tell you, the 6MT is definitely worthwhile.

 

 

I was in the same situation as you are, but i settled for a 2004. I got the 6sp that i wanted, but i can't find the color i liked. I have no regrets thus far since the 2004 lease deal are sure to be better than the 05. Of course, i heard the 05s have more options....so it's up to you

About mods... i'm planning to mod my vehicle anyway. I don't think it matters as long as you return the car in its original shape. So if you were buying parts, make sure you keep the old ones and let a trustworthy mechanic/friend to do a job for you!

 

One great thing about leasing a MT, you won't have to worry about replacing the Clutch.



Just lose it, go crazy, yeah baby.

 

I had to look around before I could find the 6mt in the color that I want. Manual is always more fun to drive... Also I don't think the 2005 lease deals will be as good as the close-out 2004 deals. If I were trying to get a deal I would venture out to find the exact car that I wanted. It's no small purchase so you want to be completely satisfied!

As for mods, tinting is no big deal on a lease. Anything else, just be sure you can return it to its OEM state. But if you plan on buying out the lease, do whatever you want to the car.

 

Uh...yeah you do. If you abuse it, it's not going to be covered under warranty.

 

I think he's trying to say you can be a little more agressive with it if you arent planning on keeping the car past the lease.

 

Maybe, but even so, the car will be inspected before lease return and if anything is damaged or near failing, especially mechanical components, expect to pony up some cash to pay for it.

 

Oh, I never planned to "settle" for the automatic. I just wondered if I should search all over hell's half-acre for the 2004 when the 2005s will be here soon. Didn't know how much better the deal would be on a 2004. Looks like the changes for 2005 will be minimal. Although I would like the XM radio option. Thanks for your help!

 

MSO -

I am a sales associate at an Acura store so here's the deal on your situation:

You will save monthly on an 04 if you lease now - there will be attractive incentives to move the remainder of the 04.

However, despite paying slightly more a month for an 04 the 05 will have a better residual - so basically at the end of the lease your car will be worth more, you will probably be closer to a positive equity situation (where it is worth more than you owe). The residual is a percentage of msrp and I think it is 55% for a 48 month lease. (On 05) it should be less for an 04.

I am in the same situation and I am going to wait for my 6spd to come in December. Plus the 05 has XM radio and power passenger seat.

Hope that helps!

 

I leased an '04 yesterday! I absolutely love the car. Got a nice deal and really did not want to wait on the '05s since the changes were so minimal. I had to drive about 2 hours to find a 6-speed, but it was well worth it!

 

Congrats

 

And you are a sales associate?
The 04 lease is not going to be more than the 05.
There's no positive equity with a lease - there is no equity at all.
And you are guessing at the residual?
I'd venture to guess you'd have to look pretty hard to find any 04 MTs - but if you do, you will probably get a good deal on it.

 

FWIW, I got the car for $25K. It's SSM/Ebony/non-navi. The cap cost reduction from my trade (97 Altima) brought my monthly payments to $344. That is a 39 month, 39K mile lease. I'm sure someone will say I got ripped off, but I did a lot of research prior to leasing and I'm happy with the deal.

On another note, I was going to get her tinted today until I read about all the scratching problems here. No way I'm letting anyone around here take my door panels off to put the felt in. Guess I'll live without tint! The car looks sweet without it anyhow...

 

biker - you're right and wrong. There is no "equity" as such but if you were paying attention if the market value is GREATER than your buy out then you can trade the car in for MORE than your buy out which would serve as a down payment. Thus a POSITIVE situation - very equity like. Happens all the time unless you get screwed on the lease. And yes I am guessing on the lease because residuals change. They are higher for 2005. And MY lease was less on an 05 than an 04.

 

MSO4gtt, I dont think you got too bad of a deal. Here's mine for comparo...

48mo
12,000 miles/year
$72 down
$335/month

Usually an 05 lease will be a little cheaper than an 04 because the 04 has already lost a few % points of a year's worth of equity .