When buying a car, many just look at the vehicle they want to buy and then choose a derivative based on the specifications it offers against the price being charged. But when it comes to leasing there are more factors at play.
Depreciation plays a big part in choosing the right derivative for buying and leasing, but at least with leasing it sticks out like a sore thumb right from the start, ensuring you get your derivative choice right. Lets be honest, the last thing a car salesman tells you about when buying a new car is how much it will be worth in 3 years time, but with leasing a car it is apparent in the monthly rental figure, as depreciation is really what you are paying interest on.
It can be really surprising how one derivative within the same model range can vary in price to another and how each version can depreciate at varying levels. Often these derivatives determine what size engine is fitted, whether it is Diesel or petrol, how that engine is tuned, for performance or economy, what gearbox is included, automatic or manual and this well before we consider the internal trim or external trim.
Some internal trim can cost a fortune whilst new but have little impact on the resalable value when used, fitted stereo systems for instance. Even leather interiors don’t always keep values high, however diesel engines that have superb reliability and high miles to the gallon, can slow down the depreciation of a car big time, something the Germans learned a long time ago.
So when leasing any vehcile, don’t just look at the chosen body style or model, drill it down to the right derivative, as it could save you big style and if you get the right choice, you may find it cheaper to lease a better equipped model.
