Crissy78

Could someone tell me when customers are usually contacted to complete the lease inspection before turn in? Also, has anyone had any experience on lease turn in with the taupe carpet and that carpet being dingy and dirty. This is probably my only flaw throughout the car. I'm just concerned I will get fined for this? My turn in date is April 4th, 2010. Thank you

MJ3

iTrader: (1)

Can't remember exactly when they will contact you re: lease return (maybe 3 months before due date). In my experience with Honda they hire an independent company to inspect the car. You have an allowance ($) for damages, normal wear and tear on the car. They should inspect the car early enough before you turn the car in so you can do the necessary fix if you exceed that allowance. They will give you a report of their inspection which they will also provide the car company (Acura in your case)

On the day you return the vehicle the dealer will compare the car's present condition (at the time of return) with the report. Your notice of return should be received early enough. If not, contact Acura. Hope this helps.

Bearcat94

2 -3 months before turn in.

IIRC, you should have a credit ($1500 ??) for damage beyond "normal wear and tear".

On my '02 my carpeting wear, which was certainly noticable, but not extreme, was considered normal wear and tear.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

Like Bearcat stated.. check your contract for the allowance on damages. Not all banks give you $1500, HAHN give yous $0. HONDA however gives you $1500. It varies from bank to bank. They usually come a month early and inspect it, and tell you how much you either don't owe or do owe. THen you have the option of getting the repairs fixed outside for much cheaper and owing nothing.

ZhenyaF

iTrader: (6)

You can schedule an appointment for an inspection up to 90 days before turn in. Honda gives you a $1500 damage waiver with $500 max per incident. As for the interior wear and tear, I dont think you have anything to worry about

csmeance

Wow, I was about to ask how short was your lease term until I saw april 4th 2010... I can remember you posting about your mis-matched bumper when you first joined! Acura has a certain allowance for damages and dings, rim curbage, etc. I believe it is about 1500 dollars. As well they don't mind for minor wear and tear such as wrinkled leather, etc.

ayanomich

Crissy78, my lease is up Jan 2010. You will receive info from Acura about lease end sometime around 3-4 months before your lease expire date. I still haven't decided if I'm going to turn my lease in, buy it, or get a new car. I called Acura today to set up an inspection for Dec 3, which is about a month before I would turn it in. Very simple to do, they will come to your house or work; since they don't need you to be with them while they inspect the car, other than give them the key and have the owner's manual and maintenance receipts available. I'm having the inspection done at my workplace.

Of course, it you want to buy your lease, all you would do is call them and tell them you'll purchase. But I recommend waiting until the last month of your lease to decide, you want to check the retail value of the lease to make sure it is higher than the residual value before you buy. If the retail is lower than the residual, than you would be overpaying and you don't want to do that. Right now my 07 TL w/nav is retailing for around 24-25K (trade-in) and the residual is 21K. So at this point I am leaning towards buying the lease, and if I decide to do it before the inspection, I'll just call and cancel.

I've checked out the 2009 and 2010 TLs and I'm just not into the new designs that much. Good luck.

ayanomich

just FYI, had the inspection today, no problems and nothing to pay Acura. But these guys sure know their stuff...some idiot dented my right rear passenger door and quarter panel just after I leased the car and I had it repaired but claimed it on my insurance. Sure enough, the inspector noted it even though I did not say a word to him about it. They must check CARFAX before they inspect.

So now I have until Jan 20 to decide whether to buy, trade-in for a 2010 4g, or walk away. Still leaning to buy since residual is still below retail and I know the dealer would sell it for a minimum of $27K-28K since it's low mileage and has navi...good luck with your decision.

01tl4tl

when an insurance company pays a claim they notify carfax -

you could pay cash for a repair and no record exist, but an inspector is trained to spot bondo and repaint the average person wont see

of course the inspection company is going to research a car before looking at it--essentially as if they were buying it