MBTC

I had never really thought of the lease down payment as being negotiable (as I said I always buy), but it makes perfect sense to me that it would be. $1000 does seem low though, because the depreciation driving off the lot would devalue it past that before the first payment.

Most of the Lexus lease deals I see advertised are more like $3500 down, $350 a month for a $35k car, or going upward of that in roughly the same ratios based on total car price.

E6BAV8R

Most are not negotiable, but there are many variables as to why it may vary. The very-low down payments OEMs will showcase is for the people that qualify for top-tier finance through the OEMs Financial Division.

Nonetheless, a $3500 seems like a lot; and is probably the most I've seen for a $35k car. I looked at leasing a 2010 IS250 that was MSRP'd around $35, and I believe the down payment was $1k; and I didn't qualify for top-tier financing.

MBTC

In this area (NC), 10% or so of the purchase price seems to be the norm. The only time I see a $2k down lease offer is for something like an Accord, maybe a little less for something like a Corolla. I would think those are their top-tier finance rates... at least the APR they tend to advertise for a purchase usually has "for those who qualify" in small letters. Maybe its just a regional thing or they offset it by adjusting the monthly payments in some places?

10lexus250

our family just did a lease:

New 2010 IS 250 w/nav
$2k down payment incl. first payment
$455 @ 48 months