Need help from guys experienced with leases. Due to overseas work, I may be forced to buy a German spec GS. Being that I will only be guaranteed to stay there for two years, it may be better to lease it for two years than buy it, since I'd have to go through the hassle of selling it before I leave.

Is it better to get a two-year lease (if they even offer that) or to get a three year lease and pay some sort of penalty if I turn it in early? Do they even allow you to turn in a car early?

I plan on going to the dealership, but I know there's a lot of knowledge on these boards and want to hear from the consumer side of the house before the salesman's pitch.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Thanks much!

 

If you were here in the states I would do the 3 year and have the dealer just purchase it back with no penalty. Not sure what they would do overseas so probably best to have one of our members let you know what the best option is.

What is your cost to have a car shipped over there for 2 years and is that an option? This way you just ship the car back here when your done and don't need to worry about any of this.

 

That's not the issue. The issue is that the US spec navi won't work in Europe and the Euro spec navi won't work in the USA (confirmed by dealer about the 4GS). Otherwise, I'd buy the car no questions asked. Using a stick-on Garmin is not an option for me on a brand new luxury car.

 

Ahh didn't even think about that. Would the company provide you the car as a fleet then it's a company car?

 

you really want to check on the lease penalty on lexus lease. last i check it's pretty harsh

 

No. It would be my personal car.

 

Yeah, I will have to investigate that. They are really making it tough for me to be a loyal Lexus fanboy. Pisses me off that they didn't make the navigation global when it is so easy to do so. A $150 Garmin does it, why can't a $3,000 Lexus navi do it?

Maybe buying and installing a European Lexus navi computer to swap in while I am overseas is cheaper than the lease penalty?

 

hard to say. lexus and toyota are making their system more and more tricky. if all harnesses the same and what not, maybe it will work. but still it might be more than just the lexus navi ecu