I recently visited Town North Nissan to check out the 350Z. They didn’t have any in stock, but the salesperson offered to take my # and call when the next shipment arrived.

They have an Orange/Orange Touring w/ auto, available FOR LEASE ONLY. $6700 and $569/mo. for 60 months. Looks like an NPV of $36,852 @ 5% interest. You have a purchase option after 90 days, but the markup will have already been paid in the lease.

I’m not looking for a Z anytime soon, but no way would I want to lease a car. IMO, their counting on unsophisticated consumers to not realize that the markup is embedded in the lease terms (not to mention their additional profit from originating a lease). Town North’s image w/ me just got knocked down several notches.

 

Chris-

You know you want to come over from the Dark Side.

I agree with you on the whole lease thing. I hate to see dealers marking up over MSRP.

JD

 

No plans to anytime soon, though I’d be lying if I denied thinking about it. If you’d like to give me a test drive for some added influence, however, I’ll keep an open mind!

The problem as I see it is that both cars have their relative merits, and which one I’d rather be in really depends on the time and situation. A track model roadster w/ minimal additional weight and flex, plus a glass rear window, might just tip the balance in the Z’s favor.

 

Ratwell, for Southpoint, you will have to see it in the service garage which they took me back to even when it was closed- that was a surprise.

I hate to see that Town North is doing that kind of crap to people. I used to live next door to their old Finance manager. Great guy who gave me and my parents some great deals. Too bad they haven't been able to keep up the good work.

 

Maxwell Round Rock Nissan is not that great either. I went to them first in January, since they are the closest to me. They asked me to fill out the Nissan preorder form but declined to give me the price for 2 days after Nissan annouced the MSRP. They told me that they are waiting to see how many preorder they get so they can determine the pricing (gouging). I skipped Town North, since they are both Maxwell chain. Ordered and got my Z from South Point with MSRP.

 

With those kind of numbers you might as well buy.