dbs600

Anyone know the situation with tinting windows and rear lamps on a lease?

Are you required to remove the film prior to lease turn in?

What if your rear lamps are spray tinted?

Thanks!

enoren

I don't know for certain because I always trade my lease in about a month before it's due to be turned in, but I suspect they won't make you remove anything. From the dealer's perspective, they're just bringing in a new car that they have to sell to someone else. The tint increases the value of the car, so they should be happy to keep it in place.

If you do things my way, trading (or buying the car) before the car has to be returned, you'll never have to worry about mods. And if the mods increase the value of the car, you'll get more for the car. On the other hand, if the mods decrease the value -- for example, some crazy colored wheels -- they'll probably want you to go back to stock.

dbs600

Thank you!

LSIII

I highly doubt you will have problems with window tint, but maybe with the tint on the taillights depending on who inspects it at lease turn-in. But I some brands will do a pre-inspection about a month or so before lease end in order to give you the chance to take care of any issues. Can't remember off hand if Lexus does that.

corradoMR2

I'm like enoren. I trade my vehicles prior to lease end and never an issue. The CT I recently traded in for the IS had chrome moldings along the bottom doors, tints, darker spray painted stock rims, and other minor "custom" details. The key thing is show up with a super clean car and all key components like all key fobs, tonneau cover, manuals, etc, and you'll be fine. It also helps when you buy Lexus from the same sales rep/same dealer.

ddb

Never EVER return a lease. Always bring it in BEFORE the end of the lease so you are actually selling the car to them. You always get a better deal that way... that is, as long there are no crash history on the vehicle. In that case, the value goes down so much that you would end up paying down side value in your new car.

Based on this, you are free to modify the car as much as you like (even with off-road options) as you are selling the car to them. No lease contract conditions and small letters at the end of the contract apply. Just be careful to remove anything that is so illegal that would make the value go down.

dbs600

Solid advice ddb, but does that mean that you'd have to buy or lease another vehicle from the dealer you sell it to? What about any remaining monthly payments? (Last time I leased was in 1994, things were different then and I ended up buying out the lease anyway)

blubyu305

I turned mine in early with tint and a roof covered in Di-Noc 3M Carbon Fiber vinyl. Husband has also done the same and we've never have any problems.

Just as everyone else said turn the car in before your lease runs out. As far as the remaining payments if they pay the car off for you then you are all set. If you are "upside down" (they give you less than you owe on your current lease) you have the option to roll it in to the new car or to pay the additional off.