To lease, you have two possible choices: either lease through a dealer’s finance source or through an independent lease company. A conventional
dealer has a captive finance source, which can be the car
manufacturer’s financial company, such as BMW Financial Services, Honda
Motor Credit or General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), or a
major national bank such as Chase Manhattan. Independent lease
companies are no financial obligation to any single one manufacturer financing source, but work with dealers anywhere in the country.
So which one is better?
Conventional dealers provide better lease-deals on limited-time
promotions. Factory-subsidized cars that have subvented money factors
and residuals are
very attractive lease deals and can be very hard to beat anywhere else.
Independent lease companies can offer you unbiased and professional advice
on vehicle selection regardless of make and model. This is because they are
not tied to a single manufacturer or financing source, unlike conventional
dealers who have to sell specific models. They can also be more
flexible regarding negotiating lease terms like residual value and
mileage. Ultimately, if you prefer a more personal and
customer-oriented relationship with your leasing agent, then you will
do well with an independent leasing company.
