Best Car Lease Deals This February

February’s Best New Car Leases

With winter weather still plaguing much of the country, it wouldn’t seem like a good time to hike around car lots looking for a new car. However, that lack of demand can work in your favor when it comes to finding a great deal on a new car lease.

This month’s best lease deals include offers on some of our highest-ranking vehicles, including the 2018 Honda Civicsedan, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-5. There’s even an uncommon lease deal on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, and there are several new car lease offers with payments less than $150 per month.

Leasing or Buying a Car: Which Costs More?

If you consider only upfront costs and monthly payments, leasing a new car seems like a slam dunk. But when you look at the big picture — car ownership over the years — you realize leasing’s true cost.

There are two main reasons leasing is more expensive over the long haul:

1. You always have a car payment, although it’s typically lower than a purchase payment. Someone who buys a car and pays off the loan can enjoy years of payment-free driving.
2. As you pay off a car loan, you’re building equity, which is value you can use. With leasing, you make three years of payments and then return the car to the dealer.

Car Leasing Specials: How They Can Help You Save

Leasing a car usually costs more than buying over the long haul. But, if you know where to look, you can offset some of the added long-term expense with leasing specials.

These specials work by adjusting the leasing formula so you get either a lower monthly payment or a reduction in related fees such as the down payment — or “drive-off fees,” in leasing lingo.

With the specials and lower monthly payments, leasing offers you the ability to drive newer, more luxurious models you couldn’t otherwise afford, like that Range Rover you’ve been dreaming about.

It’s always a good idea to check for leasing specials before you go to the dealership, because they can save you thousands of dollars and may help determine which car you choose.

How to lease a car ?

There are different strategies for leasing a new car. Here, we outline a streamlined approach that simplifies the process while still getting you a good lease deal.

The strategy assumes that:

• You have no intention of buying the car at the end of the lease.
• You know what car you want.
• You have good credit.

If these things apply to you, you’re ready to get started. If not, you can try a leasing strategy that involves more research.

And if you’re still weighing whether leasing is right for you, ask yourself these seven questions on whether to buy or lease a car.