Private leasing - talk to me...

[Mk1Macca]

After reading another thread, it seems the private leasing seems to offer potentially better value than PCP.

I have a GTD on PCP with VW Finance, and like most of us here, get bored easily. I'm already thinking of getting something else after getting there GTD in March last year.

With a new baby very, very imminent, and having a very quick look at deals, i'm quite taken with the idea of an R estate.

Having never gone down this road before, which companies should I look at? What should I watch out for? What's the best thing to do with my car to ensure minimal loss?

Thanks all

[monkeyhanger]

Usually it is Central Vehicle leasing (CVL) or Britannia for the best lease deals - all in CVL have a deal that will get you into an R estate for something like £305 a month on average (£204 a month inc VAT + deposit).

Keep it basic on a lease - a few options will see your monthlies skyrocket, you pay full RRP for options usually, but will see nothing back at the end of your term.

[Wo-Wo]

Not a bad place to start looking:-

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com

They are mainly brokers so as with anything you get some good ones and some bad ones, many of them will let you nominate a dealer too so if you have a relationship with a particular dealer speak to their fleet person and see if they'd be happy to deal with a broker.

Also ask them if they have access to PCH, this way you'll still get the retail experience when you get the car and may only pay a few quid month more, don't assume that the manufactures deals are going to be expensive. We currently have all of our cars with the manufacturers finance and they were all in fact cheaper.

Cheers

Neil

[Mark V GTD]

Be very ware of some companys who require very large initial payments - up to 2.5k on an R. If the car is written off and/or stolen that money is lost forever. At this point in time even a GAP policy will not help you as you will then only be protected for on-going payments after the loss.

Monkeyhanger - not all companies charge full list on options. Afinity were quoting me 72% of list for options on an R.

[fredgroves]

If they have an online quoting system, you could be totally anal like I was and add an option, work out the monthly cost increase over basic then multiply it up by the lease months and see how much of a proportion of the list price the option costs you.

I had a great big spreadsheet

Some things were quite cheap, maybe only 25% of the RRP whereas others were full price - ie I am paying for the lease company to give it away when they auction the car at the end.

It will vary from lease to lease company, but what sticks in my mind was that the 19" wheels were a 100% cost item, so I left that well alone (and glad I did TBH)

[mike.]

Those Golf R estate prices do look tempting,

Orange wheels are giving about 12% off list at the moment for the estate.

[Mark V GTD]

DtD give over 12% off for the hatchback and have always done. TBH 12% is pretty much the standard 'best' discount on the R. At the moment there is a finance deposit contribution from VWFS on GTI but they have put the price up by 900 to largely neutralise this.

I have to say I am increasing towards the conclusion that th new car market is in a state of flux/chaos (at least as far as VW is concerned) and I am feeling like leaving it well alone until next spring...

[monkeyhanger]

I have to say I am increasing towards the conclusion that th new car market is in a state of flux/chaos (at least as far as VW is concerned) and I am feeling like leaving it well alone until next spring...

There'll be 3 more VW price rises in that time, maybe 4! 

[Sootchucker]

Well, shock horror, even though I've decided to keep the GTD for about another 2 years ish (I know, what a burden to be left with such a heap to drive about in  ), I think today I sat in my future car (perhaps), and it's not from the VAG stable.

It's a ....... jaguar XE (the new baby Jag). Sat in one today (the R sport 2.0 TDI auto with 180ps) and it was gorgeous, listing at just over a 5 door DSG Golf R price at £34k, and pretty loaded to being with with 18" alloys, navigation, 8"touch screen, full leather sport seats, bi xenon, cruise etc. really took me by surprise.

I'll give it a couple of years for the range to mature and any teething issues to be sorted, but it just felt sporty but grown up. A know most here will think I'm crazy, but I'm now approaching that Jag time in my life it would seem 

[Mark V GTD]

Not at all - it sounds like a great car :-)

I guess I am starting to question the whole ethos of putting 300 quid plus a month in to a car I don't even use every day.

I am going to keep my GTD for a year and re-evaluate the situation - at least by then I might be at a stage where there will be neutral equity - really wish I had stayed clear of dynaudio and Pro Nav - my settlement figure would be 2k less if I had and dealers don't care a stuff what extras you have as a trade in or purchase - its just a 14 plate GTD with x thousand miles to them :-(