The following steps will tell you how to locate and negotiate a fair lease rate on the car you want. If you still don't know what car to lease, read 10 Steps to Finding the Right Car For You and then come back after you have decided.
Leasing a car is like renting a car — but for a longer time period. Unlike buying, you never actually own the car and you have to give it back at the end of the lease. Leasing became popular in the 1990s because cars became too expensive to buy for many people. Leasing allows a person to drive a brand-new car and make lower monthly payments, thus making the "new-car experience" more accessible to more people. Finally, leasing can offer tax breaks for certain occupations.
In 10 Steps to Finding the Right Car For You we talked about the pros and cons of leasing. It might be a good idea to review those points now. Remember that, while leasing might not save you money in the long run, it could fit more easily into your budget on a monthly basis. Also keep in mind that some people find leasing to be confusing since many of the terms are different. We'll do our best to quickly and clearly explain how to make leasing work for you in the following steps.
