CrackerJac

Hey everyone! Currently I am a 26 year old college student and I am having a tough decision whether I should sell my 2008 Honda Civic for a new 2012 Lexus IS250 lease. I have owned various cars, such as a new MazdaSpeed Miata, Mitsubishi Evo, Commemorative Edition Corvette, a '98 Supra, and a '97 Supra TT 6-Speed. The reason I got out of sports cars was because I initially wanted a cheaper car payment, so I bought this Civic a couple years ago. The car has 25,000 miles and still looks like new! My payment is only $228. However I am really getting tired of the Civic. I've always had an eye for the IS series, and since i've been getting older, I would like something more nice and comfortable. I really dont care anything about speed anymore.

I have been looking at Lexus' lease offers for the IS250. In my town, the dealer has an offer of $319 a month for a IS250 AWD, 36 months // 10k miles. (I only drive 5k miles a year.) $3850 due at signing, and they'll pay for the first months payment. Is this a good deal? Or is there room for negotiation? The lower the payment, obviously the better. And the closer to $299, the happier i'll be. Or should I just continue making the payments towards the Civic? I only owe $8700 on the loan.

Personally I am very picky, and the options I want are:
IS250 AWD
White exterior, Black interior with Dark Grey Bird's Eye Maple Accent
Navigation
Heated/Cooled Seats
HID Headlights / LED Daytime Running Lights

If anyone has leased with these similar options, what is the ballpark price I would pay?

Thanks!

Silver10

Payoff the civic and drive it with no payments for a while, The 250 is nice for what it is but what you want your not going to be in your price range and never ever put money down on a lease( $20 more a month for every $1000) so for $70 bucks more a month you will have cash at hand that can earn interest.

shui3000

If you can't buy it with cash, don't lease it. Get an older car that you can buy outright, and drive it into the ground.

Sango

iTrader: (10)

^
I agree with the above. Since you're a college student, you do not need a luxury car. Can give the impression of a show off while one is not financially settled yet which makes a bad impression at the owner behind their back of people's minds.

phillimt

Definitely. Wait on the IS until you can really afford it - I saved for six years until I could pay for it in cash (and bought it used).

Besides... you don't want to lease... you want to own! Modding your car is so much fun... leasing and staying stock/worrying about having to revert to stock/ damage from mods would be a mess on a lease.. and an IS is just too much fun (in my personal opinion) to ever want to keep stock, but some others may disagree there..

Civics are excellent cars, that baby will last you forever. Still have my 97 accord that my folks bought new... she won't die... lots of love there.

Vroomin350

iTrader: (28)

nothing like $228/month, the good ol' days.

phillimt

Yes, definitely wouldn't get that today, I imagine..

CrackerJac

I think I am going to try and pay the Civic off this year, save up cash, and buy outright. Thanks guys!

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I would wait for 3IS before making the final decision....

juvi22003

iTrader: (2)

There is room for negotiation but i would suggest you wait especially that your still in college. I had some huge car payments and trust me they not fun even when u can afford, better yet by time ur done with college the 3IS should be out.....

Furashu

just wait until you're done with school. I assume you have student loans you owe and your civic payments, why add more debt to yourself for something you won't even end up owning?

I am a recent college grad and Ive been driving a 99 Tacoma for the past 7 years, no payments other than Gas $$, i am finally going to upgrade to an ISX50 within the next two months.

Sango

iTrader: (10)

^
True. Just going to add on top of Furashu comment.

Getting a real full time job and getting a home is more important than getting a luxury car, on top of getting your college/university degree. Also when if you have your your significant other (girlfriend) if you not have one already, is not going to care about the luxury car... She is going to care is one is financially stable, settled and independent. This part all should be done first then the luxury car would come in ideally.

Geo123

very smart decision

iRock

iTrader: (12)

If I could do it all over I would not have a Lexus. Man would I have a ton more money lol

tex2670

If you still owe $8700 on a Civic that's 4 years old, you should NOT be getting a new car of any sort....