Just thought I'd run something by you all and see if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about this.

I'm currently leasing a 2000 Pathfinder SE. Lease ends March 31, 2003. I ordered my Z and am expecting November delivery. My residual on the Pathfinder is $19370 (CAD) and comparable Pathfinders are selling in the mid to high $20K's right now.

My dealer has stated that it will be no problem ending my lease early when the car comes in. I see why because he can turn around and sell it and possibly make $5K+. I understand at the end of a lease, I do have the option of buying the car out, and then I could resell it and hopefully put that money in my pocket instead of the dealers. However, with the Z coming about 4 months before the end of my lease, is this still a possibilty?

Is there someway to buyout the Pathfinder early? And then possibly turn it around as trade value against the purchase of my Z (instead of leasing it)?

Can anyone share any ideas of what I can do here and somehow keep this money from going into the dealer's pockets?

 

I actually traded in my leased vehicle 1 1/2 years early when I preordered the Z. The dealer bought out my lease and applied the trade to my purchase. You should be able to call your leasing company and get a payoff amount, which should be pretty close to your residual amount + remaining payments.

 

Thanks. I'm wondering now if its going to matter that my lease is with Nissan Canada finance? Since they will be related in some way to the dealer, I wonder if that will make things harder for me to do that?

 

You can probably just call Nissan Canada Finance, not even mention that you are buying a 350Z, only that you want to buy out your lease.