[Koui]

Honda has been the vehicle choice for our family since the 1975 Civic 1500. My father was an aerospace engineer and drove a new Honda every 5 years, including Acura upon its introduction. I've carried on that tradition but lease every 3 years. I tend to go for base models each time as they usually feature the best factory incentives. Leasing isn't for everybody but driving a new vehicle often is worth the cost as I don't splurge on the usual things people do.

The lease on my 2015 Civic was ending in May and I've been researching its replacement for months. I like to keep my payments the same each time since I'm retired on a fixed income. My credit is good so I stay with sign and drive $300 leases. I was told there's no possibility of getting into a 2018 Accord for that but I stood firm. Thanks to FlexCash incentives and discounts I was able to get a LX and the dealer paid the 3 remaining months of my 2015 lease.

I've owned it a month and driven 800 miles. My previous Accords were 2007 and 2010 LXs. The 2018 is the best Honda yet and the standard safety tech is great. Maybe by 2021 battery power will become affordable and it has a big H on the grille.

 

[Scotty]

Congrats on the new LX and welcome to the forum. I think most of the early adopters are Honda loyalists and its great to hear that you consider it to be the best Honda yet. Not that surprising that you found a dealer who was willing to buy our your lease, and there are plenty of Accords still sitting on lots.

 

[Koui]

Thanks for the reply and welcome Scotty. I assumed it wouldn't be difficult either but it took 3 months of negotiations with every dealer within 100 miles to finally meet my goal. As fate would have it, I was working a deal at Hyundai for a higher trim Sonata when I got a call from the Honda dealer where I leased the Civic. They were moving to a new location and a manager was calling their previous customers offering early buyouts and $3k off Accords. After 3 hours of going back and forth on payment I walked out and started to leave. The owner of the dealership came out the front door waving the keys to come back in. It was near closing time so the paperwork was quick and easy. There were 3 LXs in stock in my color and I drove off with the newest one on the lot.

 

[Scotty]

Sounds like you drive a hard bargain, and I love how quickly their decision changes when you begin to show disinterest aha. Don't think there in much of a position right now to be turning away buyers. You have any modification plans or paint protection in mind?

 

[Koui]

You have any modification plans or paint protection in mind?

No mods except a fancy front plate and chrome frames for front/back, a pair of blind spot mirrors, and a magnetic mount for phone/nav. Paint protection is a quick hosing off daily. Yep, I'm a big spender LOL.

 

[BoostedAccord]

No mods except a fancy front plate and chrome frames for front/back, a pair of blind spot mirrors, and a magnetic mount for phone/nav. Paint protection is a quick hosing off daily. Yep, I'm a big spender LOL.

I hope you at least plan on getting waxing done. Its cheaper in the long run to have some reliable paint protection installed. Small cost for something that can cost a good amount to correct.

 

[Koui]

I hope you at least plan on getting waxing done. Its cheaper in the long run to have some reliable paint protection installed. Small cost for something that can cost a good amount to correct.

If I were keeping the vehicle for longer than the 3 year lease period I would spend time and money on the paint. I do request the service department wash the vehicle each visit or hand wash it myself if the daily rinse isn't enough. No waxing or charged for a detailing for 15 years and they still shine at lease end.

 

[Scotty]

Doesn't really make a lot of sense to invest too much into a lease, so I can understand where you're coming from. Were you happy with the financing options at the dealer? I know a lot of them are pretty unhappy at the moment, with the current restrictions on rates.

 

[BoostedAccord]

If I were keeping the vehicle for longer than the 3 year lease period I would spend time and money on the paint. I do request the service department wash the vehicle each visit or hand wash it myself if the daily rinse isn't enough. No waxing or charged for a detailing for 15 years and they still shine at lease end.

Valid point because its rare that I seen any car within its first 3-4 years show any imperfections that require immediate attention and usual if it does, its a case of poor paint quality, which is covered under warranty. As some of know, paint imperfections dont factor much into the resale of cars, maybe within the hundreds in this segment.

 

[Koui]

Were you happy with the financing options at the dealer? I know a lot of them are pretty unhappy at the moment, with the current restrictions on rates.

I can understand Honda wanting to recover their R&D costs as quickly as possible on a complete redesign by limiting incentives. It took me until after the President's Day weekend ad blitz to get any local dealer to budge on discounts. 5.04% APR Tier 1 money factor for factory financed leases were and still are killing them..and keeps going up!

Hyundai's 1.44% on Sonata SE for $164 with $0 down is half of an Accord LX lease. Something has to give or there's going to be lots of 6+ month old inventory that dealers are going to have to take big losses on just to keep from going out of business.

 

[Neverempty]

That's pretty ridiculous that offerings out of Hyundai are half of what rate is on the new Accord. No wonder they are at a 104 day supply. I did see recently that a bunch of dealerships have reached out to Honda for adjustments to be made to financing options, and hopefully those come through quickly.