jphennessey

I'm due to end my lease at the end of August, and am looking to get a 2016 SQ5. When I talked to one dealer about why the % off retail was justified, I mentioned that I've got a 2013 P+ S4 that was leased at 15K / year, but I'm likely to return it in A1 condition with fewer than 23K on it. He said that the car goes to Audi corporate and that their dealership would receive no particular advantage from the lease turn-in. Is that fact or fiction, and if the latter, any idea on how much leverage it would provide.

Also, if my buyout is ~$35K, and it's worth ~37K as a trade-in, I'd be tempted to buy it out then sell it to Carmax, but is there some magical way that only Carmax would end up paying the sales tax? Otherwise it would likely be a lot of trouble to end up with a couple of hundred bucks.

Thanks in advance,

jph

RickFLS4

Just sell it to CarMax or trade it in elsewhere if there is truly equity in it. You don't need to buy the car first to trade it in or for a dealer to buy it.

Your dealer sounds like he is trying to pull one over on you. All you need to do it trade it in to him instead of turning it in for you to tap into the equity. If you turn it in instead of trading it in or selling it, you get nothing.

jphennessey

Thanks, Rick, for the advice. So then when CarMax or another dealer gets it as a trade-in, there's apparently a way to transfer the lease to them, then they buy it, thus saving me the sales tax. Cool.

I was wondering from your ID if you're in Florida. If so, and you happen to be in South Florida, can you recommend any "friendly" Audi salesman for me to talk to?

Thanks,

jph

RickFLS4

Sent you a PM.

DrGP

NO NEED TO SELL THE CAR IF YOU ARE TRADING IT IN ! Trade the car in. The dealer may actually give you a better deal on your new car because he knows he will be making significant money on your trade in. PLUS, he should give you $2k to put in your pocket or toward your new car. BUT, you have to do it BEFORE your lease is up. Dealer can actually buy the car for a few hundred dollars less than your buyout. Traded my 2010 in and leased a new 2014 S4. Got $6k in the deal. Just remember, dealer will probably give you wholesale price for your trade. Worst case scenario, you give the car back to Audi.