Audi Guys - A3 info request

[Tuna]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

I keep hearing all this talk about lease rates. While lease rates are important it isn't by anymeans the most important number. The residual value is. I have like a 6.8% lease rate on my car, however my residual value is wayyyy higher than most cars (62% on a 3 year lease) My car that is approx. $55 k was a cheaper lease than an $50 000 american car with a lower lease rate even. Don't believe me, just phone around and see for yourself.

You have a point but a quick calculation told me that even though Volvo doesn't have the greatest resale compared to other European cars, in the end I really ended up ahead by not paying all the interest over the term and taking a hit on resale. In other words, I actually lose less than if I got a car with "good resale" but "higher interest rate". (at least in the "Volvo vs. Audi comparo").

Now a domestic car is on a whole other plain of depreciation so I can't really speak to that one.

[Boy Racer]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

I keep hearing all this talk about lease rates. While lease rates are important it isn't by anymeans the most important number. The residual value is. I have like a 6.8% lease rate on my car, however my residual value is wayyyy higher than most cars (62% on a 3 year lease) My car that is approx. $55 k was a cheaper lease than an $50 000 american car with a lower lease rate even. Don't believe me, just phone around and see for yourself.

Yeah for sure both parts of the equation are important! Good residuals make a big difference.. go BMW . I think where low lease rates are good is for low deposits as on my car it worked out to about $800 interest over the entire term with 0$ down.. but you are right it is the final payment that tells the full story.

In the case of the Audi vs. VW, residuals are going to be very similar and so lease rates are the differentiator here.

[Khyron]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Yep - it's not like financing where you can figure roughly 100bucks interest per % on a 30K etc... you need them to crunch the numbers and say your initial payment and monthlies. Can lease a 60K Merc for not much more than a Ford Explorer.

Khyron

[Volinder D]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

You have a point but a quick calculation told me that even though Volvo doesn't have the greatest resale compared to other European cars, in the end I really ended up ahead by not paying all the interest over the term and taking a hit on resale. In other words, I actually lose less than if I got a car with "good resale" but "higher interest rate". (at least in the "Volvo vs. Audi comparo").

Now a domestic car is on a whole other plain of depreciation so I can't really speak to that one.

Don't necessarily agree with you. Consider this for a second. Even if you got a 3.8% lease rate (just for example) but your residual was 53% and I paid 6.8% but had a 62% residual, I would actually come out ahead of you. Volvo's are amazing cars, however, they tend to have residuals in the low 50's.

[Volinder D]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Yeah for sure both parts of the equation are important! Good residuals make a big difference.. go BMW . I think where low lease rates are good is for low deposits as on my car it worked out to about $800 interest over the entire term with 0$ down.. but you are right it is the final payment that tells the full story.

In the case of the Audi vs. VW, residuals are going to be very similar and so lease rates are the differentiator here.

I see your point, I have no clue how much your car worked out to be with your options and stuff. Mine came out to be close to $56 600 with my options from the dealer + tax. 0 down I'm paying approx. $840 a month on a three year lease. Maybe you can enlighten me with your numbers cause I thought I did my research when I bought my car.

[Boy Racer]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

I guess there are maybe 2 discussions here. The first being that our original poster is being swayed from Audi to VW... where Jason shared his experience of exactly the same buying decision only to come away with hard numbers on monthly payments and found that Audi was much more expensive on a lease basis purely because of the interest charges.

The second being low vs. high residuals and low vs. high lease interest rates. Here there are obviously 2 effects in play which determine your final monthly outlay. What i am saying is for the amount paid of depreciation (that varies a lot between cars and hence the monthly payment) a low % means that you would be best off doing 0 down. Who else would lend me money for 0.5% which is the rate I got.

So Saab 9-3 Aero + Nav = MSRP of 45k, 3 year lease, 20k kms, 0 down = 650/month

[Volinder D]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Crunching lease numbers on cars does make your head hurt. One thing about the vw vs audi thing. There is no question your paying a premium for the audi, but the overall interior is quite a bit better, and the service at the dealership is nothing short of amazing.

[Tuna]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Don't necessarily agree with you. Consider this for a second. Even if you got a 3.8% lease rate (just for example) but your residual was 53% and I paid 6.8% but had a 62% residual, I would actually come out ahead of you. Volvo's are amazing cars, however, they tend to have residuals in the low 50's.

I'd actually have to find the MSRP but our lease rate was only 1.9%. I can't remember how the numbers worked out ATM, but equipped the way we wanted based on msrp the difference was about $300 a month over 3 years between the A3 and the V50 (even though the MSRP on the Audi was actually less). I agree you have to look at both together, I just find too many people worry ONLY about depreciation and not how much you're paying in interest.

Sorry for dragging this off topic James.

[Boy Racer]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Crunching lease numbers on cars does make your head hurt.

Haha, you're not wrong. I think you said it best when you said call the dealerships and get some hard numbers..

[Duby T]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

I'm not trying to be rude, but isn't the A3 an overpriced vw GTI?

[GINCH]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Just so you know guys, the current lease rate on a new GTI is 5.9%. The residual based on 20,000km's per year is 52% of MSRP (48 months). I'm not sure what the A3 is but I can't imagine its a whole lot different. The GTI is a fantastic car as you all probably know however trying to get one at the moment is next to impossible. If you are OK to wait until Oct-Nov than you are alright. I don't think we have one GTI thats been ordered that isn't already presold!!
Cheers
Derek

[Khyron]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

The VW salesmen are eating as well as the service guys now. Bout time.

I would still wait for the GTI, mmmmmm, delish.

Khyron

[James]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Sold her on the 4dr GTI
checking on what i can get for insurance rates and should be ordering it this week!

(united grey, 4dr, loaded...cept not getting the 18s...want 19 BBS CH's i think )

[James]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

Well, I got my deposit down on a fully loaded United Grey 4dr 6spd GTI!

Thanks to Colin for letting me know about this because its the car he ordered back in March and we're looking at a delivery date of july 17!

Going to meet with Adam at NL tomorrow to finalize payments and ensure my credit is good to go.


...Anyone wanna buy my rims w/ brand new rubber for cheap?
...Anyone with a black jetta wanna swap hoods/grills? (if not, its gettin traded in with the filled hoodnotch)

[Boy Racer]

Re: Audi Guys - A3 info request

woohoooo. Now you have to be the first to do it around here..... ABT kit!!!