Alright, my '03 ABP TL-S goes back in May '06 off a 3-year lease. The car has only 23k miles and it has had no significant problems aside from one tranny going, which was obviously covered by warranty. Since I have the car covered for 7-years and 100k miles, would it not make sense just to buy the car off the lease and sell it whenever I see fit? I put a lot of work into the car (cleared headlights, OEM kit, rims, system, a few other things here and there) and it would really suck to have to get rid of my work.

The question is, has anyone bought the car off a lease, and what does the residual value look like for the car right now if I were to buy it? Has anyone ever bought the TL in particular, off the lease? Have you had any significant problems aside from the tranny after doing so, if you did would you do it again?

If I was to buy it, I'd throw on a Comptech Supercharger, headers, and exhaust. That should push me into the 13.6-14.0 range at the track, right?

 

I say buy it and keep it. Sell it when it reaches 100K.

 

i have no idea about the leasing part.. and the buy out...
but if you were not to buy it out, what would you get?

 

Either a new TL A-Spec, or if the price isn't particularly too high (like more than $150 more than a TL per month, let's say), an Audi S4. I'd basically get another car after the TL goes back, obviously.

 

Keep it. If you were to return it, you would have to put it back to stock. With all the work you've put into it, you might as well keep it and keep working on it. That's what I'm doing.

 

What's the buyout amount? That's the real question.

 

sell it while your ahead i decided to keep mine all a had is problems with it.

 

keep.

 

I am/was in the same type of position on my 2002 TL-P (Although mine is Bone Stock) and after long, considerable thought, I made a choice. I am turning in my leased TL and I BOUGHT a Nissan Maxima SL with the drivers preferred package (Heated steering wheel, power fold mirrors and a few other items I can't think of b/c I just brought it home tonight). My lease was up and I could:

A) Buy my TL-P and finance it for 48 months at @ $430/month
B) Lease a 2005 TL for $470/month
C) Buy a new TL for $31,200 for about $650/month
D) Buy a brand new 2004 Maxima SL $31,000 with $4,000 off for $480/month

I elected option D.

If I bought the TL, I'm paying almost the same per month as what I'm paying now and after 4 more years I'll have an 8 year old car that I paid total out of pocket (Lease plus Purchase) $41,000 for. And that doesn't include any tires or other costs associated with upkeep. I wanted to get out of the leasing game and for me this was the best choice. I now have a car with a warranty behind it and that helps ease my mind for the long haul and a car that I don't have to worry about. It has all the bells and whistles my TL has and a few more but my TL ride was/is a little smoother at the front wheels on the highway; its probably the crappy Conti tires that are stock on this but they are good enough for now and I'll step up to a better brand once I burn through these. The engine is awesome (Ward's best for 11 years in a row) and smooth with the new 5 speed trans with the autostick. The trans can actually hold 1st gear for as long as you'd like which has been a critical area of the TL where it will automatically go to 2nd. My TL has been good a great car, no problems or issues, the trans never had a problem but I was always fearful that it would dump on me at the wrong time. (What would be the right time? I don't know.) Anyway, this is my second Max, I also had a 2002 SE which did have some problems with the ball joints but it was a solid car. I guess once I turn in my keys they'll probably rip my account from here as well. Well, holla when you see me, I've gone from the White Diamond Pearl TL to the Super Black Max SL, when I make a change- I REALLY make a change.
Peace.