A New Lease on Life - Worry-Free Mobility

Vehicle leasing is no longer some kind of "new math" or eccentric idea. It has been completely mainstreamed and is a common practice in the U.S., Canada and even Europe (although we're way ahead here in North America). Businesses first popularized the notion of leasing as a way to know, in advance, some of the costs of transportation for their particular activities.

Companies both big and small now routinely lease both cars and trucks, in addition to construction equipment and other special vehicles. In fact, the economic reasons in favor of leasing are voluminous and well known, and there are no more arguments to defeat, especially for corporate accountants. Now even individuals, and not just wealthy ones, recognize the economic advantages of leasing over buying. But it is not just good for your wallet. It can be good for your attitude, as well.

Psychological benefits, too
There are other advantages beyond cost savings, of course, including psychological benefits. Leasing in general, and particularly leasing with a reputable firm with a well-known commitment to customer service, is a good way to reduce frustration, stress and strain in one's life. A study done in the 1990s rated "car troubles" (accidents, engine failures, flat tires, etc.) as among the top five "stressors" for American adults 26-45 years of age, right up there with job insecurity and crying babies.

Even if you take life at a more peaceful pace, and live in a more relaxed region (the country? the mountains? the beach?) where residents are less wedded to the "rat race" lifestyle, it is still very much the case that car troubles are a source of great anxiety for many people. With car leasing, especially the way it is done at the best firms, those stresses and strains of ownership are gone. You are protected from the problems, no matter what kind they are, whether it's a fan belt or a cracked windshield. Not your problem!

Leading with high-tech
You will have complete peace of mind with any of the modern, well-regarded, tech-savvy leasing forms now dotting the North American landscape. All repair and maintenance work, inside and out, will be done with the latest computerized color-matching, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and factory-authorized procedures. In addition, your personal needs will be attended to, from arranging rental car services to coordinating your insurance photos and claims reports. With a leading lease firm by your side, you are never left alone to deal with problems.

When it comes down to choosing a leasing firm, make sure you compare apples to apples and don't just go for the lowest monthly payment. A $375 payment (about average) with a so-so leasing firm is not as good a value as a $400 payment with a top-notch company that will take care of you like family. To know how firms treat their customers, make sure to ask for referrals and check all the consumer complaint sites on the Internet.

Your aim is to find a firm that will work out a fair payment, not dramatically higher than the competition, and then solve all the vehicle problems for you so that you can maintain the stress-free lifestyle of which your car lease is now an integral part. Economically, car leasing makes sense, and has for years. Psychologically, though, it makes even better sense. Leave your stress and worry behind you and take advantage of (excuse the obvious pun) a new lease on life!

Just three questions to ask on car leasing vs. buying

1. Have you crunched the numbers?

Not sure whether you want to commit to the car for a long term? Break out the calculator. Use BankingMyWay's (Mainstreet's partner site) lease vs. buy calculator to crunch the numbers for you. If keeping your monthly payments down is most important to you, know that the short-term monthly cost of leasing is usually less than the cost of buying. (On average, monthly lease payments are 30% to 60% lower than loan payments for the same car, same down payment, etc.). This holds true even when compared to 0% or low-interest loans. Plus, in an ownership arrangement, auto dealers will likely require more money down than with a lease deal.

2. How important is ownership to you?

When you buy a new car, you pay for everything, including its upfront value, plus finance charges, plus fees. In return you get equity, which is essentially the car’s resale value, or what you can expect to get back if you sell it or trade it in. And when you finish making payments, you’ll be free and clear. But is a long-term equity deal a good one? After all, the longer you own and drive a vehicle, the less equity you have. When you’re leasing, you’re only buying the time you will use the car, meaning the amount it will depreciate in the time that you drive it. That keeps monthly payments down, but leaves you with no equity at the end of your contract.

3. What about repairs?

When you lease a car, you’re not really the owner. But when it comes to car maintenance and repairs, not being the owner can be a good thing. By and large, any type of repair will be covered under your manufacturer's warranty. (And your car’s always almost brand new, so the risk of something going really wrong is rather low.) Car owners, on the other hand, have a vested interest in car care and maintenance. That can include keeping on top of oil changes and brake pads replacements as well as keeping the body scratch- and dent-free. Leasers as a rule find themselves less concerned with the details, since it’s not going to be their problem down the road.

Also, when leasing, be aware of additional fees (including security deposits and any lease-end charges) so they don’t take you by surprise. Expect to make your first monthly payment when you sign your contract.

When it comes to buying or leasing a car, there is no right answer. Buying and leasing both have their pros and cons, so the key is to look hard at your own situation and preferences before you sign a contract.

Before Shopping for your Car Lease

Before you shop for a car lease, there is critical information that you should gather concerning the feature and terms that you'd want to consider before signing any car lease agreement. The checklist below will aid you in gathering such information.

Many vehicle leasing terms and conditions are completely negotiable, so you can often tailor fit a lease to your driving habits and financial needs.However, it's vital that you understand all the lease provisions before signing, because once signed the contract terms are final and non-negotiable. Researching leases and gathering information from automotive manufacturer's publications, newspaper/magazine articles, the Internet, advertisements, consumer publications, automotive dealers, and Manchester vehicle leasing agents will help you negotiate and secure the best lease for your needs.

Have you selected a vehicle? _______________

If so, which make/model/options _____________________________________________

* Consumer guides, automotive publications, and Internet sites are excellent sources of information that can help you choose the right vehicle.

What amount can you afford to pay up front? $________

What can you afford to pay each month? $________

What can you afford to pay at lease-end? $________

* Consider beginning, middle, and end-of-lease costs, not just the monthly payment.

How many years or months do you anticipate keeping the vehicle? __________(years/months)

How many years or months do you typically keep a vehicle? __________ (years/months)

* The lease should fit your needs and business requirements. Don't sign a lease with a term longer than you intend to keep the vehicle, because you may have to pay a substantial early termination charge. The earlier you terminate the lease, the greater the penalty may be.

How many miles do you typically drive each year? __________

* Be realistic--underestimating the mileage that you put on a vehicle could cost you greatly at the end of your lease contract. Consult the odometer on your current vehicle to determine your estimated yearly mileage.

Do you want a lease with an optional end-of-contract purchase option? ________

* You may want the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the car/van leasing period. Keep in mind, however, that the purchase option terms within the lease may modify other terms in the lease.

What is your current automobile insurance coverage for:

1. Bodily injury, property damage $________

2. Liability $________

3. Collision and comprehensive $________

What are your insurance deductibles for:

1. Collision $________

2. Comprehensive $________

* Your lease may require you to carry a higher level of insurance than you currently carry.

BMW uses Internet Protocol underhood

There's a variety of flavors of in-car networking standards that corral the large number of embedded computers and nodes present in the modern automobile. BMW Research and Technology, an R&D division of BMW, has found Internet Protocol up to the tasks that the other standards currently perform. BMW engineers used a standard PC and connected it up to the expected gear -- ECUs, engine and chassis control systems, even a multimedia server for the entertainment system. The reasoning behind using IP versus the more specialized protocols is to anticipate future needs and requirements, as well as reducing costs. Costs drop because fewer specialized components are needed, and the new version of IPv6 is even better than the more than fine performance from IPv4. It's a little spooky to think that your fly-by-wire throttle could be trying to chat with the engine using the same technology that we use to send instant messages, but IP proved itself capable enough even for critical safety functions. The research is ongoing, but BMW's work bodes well for adding functionality and decreasing costs. Adding aftermarket goodies should be fairly painless and service shops will also have an easier time of it by going with a more universal language. Imagine surfing the web with iDrive, though. Blech.

Source: AutoBlog

Buying a Car Privately

Buying a car can be an exciting experience but try not to make a on the spot decision that you may regret later.

Check the car price

Make sure to look at various cars and visit several car dealerships to compare prices and quality. Check the newspapers, but bear in mind that nearly everyone advertises their car for more than its worth. The car price is often negotiable.

Have the car checked out mechanically

A roadworthy certificate or pink slip is no foolproof indicator of reliability. Make sure you get a thorough mechanical inspection. When you finally make an offer, make it conditional on a positive independent report from your local motoring association or mechanic.

Test drive the car

Even if the car is mechanically sound, you should make sure that it feels right for you before committing to it. Take it for a test drive. This is your chance to discover whether you really feel comfortable driving it.

Check for prior ownership

Make sure that the car is on clear title. This means that the person who says they own the car, actually owns the car. If the car has been stolen or is under finance, you might lose it along with your money to the previous owner or the previous finance company.

Has the car been used as security for a car loan?

You should have a revs check done to see if the car is being used as security for somebody elses car loan. There is nothing wrong with that but you need to make sure the finance company will be paid out.

Compare the numbers

Compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number in the car with the registration certificates numbers. A popular scam is to get legitimate identification papers from a vehicle that has been written off and attach them to a stolen vehicle. You could end up with the worthless title to a wreck and lose the new car you thought you were buying.

Other things to keep in mind when buying a car privately

• You have no right to a refund if you change your mind. There is no cooling off period
• You don't get a warranty so you will be unable to have the seller fix anything that may be wrong once you've driven away
• Always check the credentials of your seller. Don't be afraid at the very least to ask them for a license as proof of identity
• Make sure the car has a roadworthy certificate where this is necessary and allow for any additional repairs to the car in your budget
• Make your offer in writing. It only needs to be a note but it may help avoid disagreements later
• Make sure you get a receipt from a private seller

Source: http://www.1300carlease.com.au/

Vauxhall’s New Insigna Ecoflex

More and more economical and environment friendly autos are coming out in the market, last October 21 at the Paris Motor show, the all new Vauxhall Insignia Ecoflex was introduced. It has been designed to combine efficiency and low carbon emissions with a powerful engine capable of delivering a superb driving experience.

Compared to competitors’ cars with similar fuel consumption, it is clear why the Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX watchwords are economy without compromise. The Insignia ecoFLEX sprints from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 135mph. Ensuring excellent pulling power even at low rpm, the maximum torque of 350Nm is available from 1750rpm, and can be temporarily increased for 15 seconds to 380Nm via an ‘over boost’ function. It has a new 2.0 liter common-rail four cylinder engine that uses the latest clean-tech technology to maintain low carbon emissions over the engine's lifetime.

It's will be formally launched in 2009 and will be available in hatchback and saloon versions. it will surely be a popular choice for people looking to lease cars that are both economical and environment friendly.

Below is a video of the Vaxhaul Insigna.

Luxury Car Leasing

Luxury car leasing is an option for many - both for big time and small time companies. Companies today are constantly searching for new ways of limiting their expenses. It is a necessary adjustment to increased competition in most markets. Most of them are also on the hunt for new ways to reduce their tax payments as well as eliminating assets not associated with the core of their business. Such adjustments are always made and sometimes this helps other businesses flourish while others end up with serious challenges to cope with. Things like the above mentioned are the main reasons why leasing exists.

Luxury cars are costly. If you expect that the average salary of a recent engineering graduate can go from $40,000 to $50,000 per year, then you can understand the real dimension of the value of a luxury automobile. Yet, the fact that it is so expensive shouldn't be a reason why you can't purchase one. Actually, through car leasing you can drive around a brand new car even without the dreaded huge monthly payments.

In a luxury vehicle leasing you won't have to pay for the total value of the car. The monthly payments can be as low as half of what you pay on a typical loan since you are only paying for a pre-determined value of the vehicle. As soon as the lease is finished you can chose between paying the difference (the part of it's price that hasn't depreciated), or let the leasing company keep it.

It's like renting, only you get the first option to purchase the vehicle. One of the greatest advantage of car leasing is that you have the option to invest your unused money (or half of the money you saved because you opt to lease a car instead of buying it) and make it work for you for lets say 3 years (2 to 3 years is the normal lease term).

Always Read the Fine Print

It is advised that you always read the fine print when you enter into a contract. Sit down and read the entire car leasing contract very carefully and if there are parts that you're confused about don't hesitate to ask questions. Make things clear upfront. Here is an example; in the car leasing industry every leased vehicle comes with its' own insurance. Just so that you know, many leasing companies make their main profit from the insurance.

Cars Lease Twilight Style

Have you ever read Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series? Yes, I know, it's a book loved by many teens and your daughters might have a crush on Edward Cullen too, the vampire Romeo of this story. However this post wouldn't be one of those fan post that millions of blog sites have been posting since, well, this blog is about cars and car leasing. If you want to know more about the Twilight series, just do a search in Google and you'd surely find a lot however for this post, we will get to know more about the cars they drive.

The Cullens (Vegetarian Vampires) in this book all have conspicuous cars and since car leasing is an affordable alternative than auto loan, owing these cars wouldn't be far fetched since you can certainly find the best car leasing deals online. This post aims to give you more Twilight car leasing ideas.

Bella Swan's 1953 Chevrolet Pickup truck


This is Bella's red 1953 Chevrolet Pickup truck given by her dad Charlie. This was previously owned by Billy Black, Jacob's dad. Although this baby won't run as fast as most new cars being leased out, this pickup has an irresistible rustic charm. There are a lot of car leasing companies that leases out vintage cars. Selling price of this pickup is around $US 43500; car leasing this would certainly lower down the price and break it down to affordable monthly payments.

Edward Cullen's Silver Volvo S60R

This is Edward's rather very infamous silver Volvo S60R. Edward has used this car from book 1 to book 3 as he saved the not-so-ordinary damsel in distress, Bella. The good thing about this car is the subtlety tough look, the brakes, good performance, grip, interior comfort, safety, build quality and it's attention to details. It has a monthly car lease payment of £530.67 if you made an initial payment of £1,592.01

Rosalie's BMW M3 convertible

Edward called this car conspicuous and you can certainly see why. The car lease starts around £984 per month depending on the car leasing company.

Carlisle's Mercedes S55 AMG Sedan

This car is used by Dr. Carlisle whenever he goes to work. Opting to car lease this elegant looking sedan would usually cost around $2,248.00.

Emett's Jeep Wrangler



Depending on the year model and the lease term, you can get the best car lease term for this jeep at a starting price of $ 295.

Edward’s “special occasion” car, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.

This car is not only featured in the Twilight series but it has also been featured as the official James Bond Car in Die Another Day movie. This car is among the priciest car all over the world, car leasing this would roughly cost around £2,892 each month.

Alice Porsche 911 Turbo


This is the car Edward used to bribe Alice, his sister. The Cullens are quite noted for their expensive and fast cars. The car lease price for this car is $ 2375 - 2365 per month.

Bella’s Mercedes S600 Guard

This is Bella's pre-wedding gift from Edward. Even with the sleek design, this is actually an armored car. This car is fitted with run-flat tyres so it can remain drivable even when the wheels have been punctured. It also offers an unsurpassed level of protection against terrorist attacks and the threat of violent crime.How about that? There is no car lease price available for this car as of now. For the readers of this blog, if ever you find the car lease price, please leave me a comment and I'll update this post.

Bella's Post Wedding Gift from Edward Ferrari F43o


The F430 is the 360 Modena's replacement, but on a combative level it's designed to take on the universally acclaimed Lamborghini Gallardo, grind it into the ground and then turn up its nose as it races off into the distance in a puff of tyre smoke. The monthly car lease payments you'd make would cost around $3,326.25

How do you find the Cullen's taste in cars?