It sure has been one HELL of a luxury car leasers party over the last few years.
Cruising through your neighborhood in say a BMW 7-Series, that you can only afford because the lease is subvented to under a grand, when it REALLY should cost $2-2500 a month.
Or driving around in a 3-Series for the sub-$400 monthly payment, which is less than the payment of your friends Passat.
Or driving an E-Class for low 4's a month cause your local dealer gave you the Mercedes-Benz employee price, because his regional MB rep said- "DO WHATEVER you need to do to make your number this month".
I myself have been a regular invited guest at this party over the years but here comes the bad news...
It may ALL be coming to an end.
Resale values are tanking, so residual values are shrinking, so it's becoming IMPOSSIBLE to offer these giveaway lease deals by the premium manufacturers.
So the question is-"What will people like us drive if THIS party truly ends?"
95% of the people driving a 3 or a C or a G can't afford an 800 per month payment (which is what they SHOULD lease for with NO money down).
So what will happen?
Can an E-Class driver slum down to a Passat?
Or could a 3-Series driver not become suicidal in an Acura?
We'd love to hear your thoughts and tell us WHAT would you do if lease prices had to be at a number somewhere close to reality...Besides PRAY that it doesn't happen!