What is considered a good lease price?
Asked by: Maye Jast | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (55 votes)
A good car lease price is often around 1% of the MSRP (e.g., $300/month for a $30k car), but better deals are below that (closer to 0.8-1.2%), while over 1.5% is usually poor; look for low monthly payments with minimal due at signing, competitive money factors (interest rates), reasonable mileage allowances, and low fees to identify a truly great deal beyond just the sticker price.
What qualifies as a good lease deal?
Most people cite the 1% rule as a good way to judge if a lease is a good deal. This rule states that a monthly payment of 1% of the vehicle MSRP is ideal.
How to tell if a lease is a good deal?
- Multiply the vehicles MSRP by 1.25%. If your monthly payment is lower than or around this number with 0 money down, then this means your getting a good deal on your lease. If the number is significantly higher then this, you may want to start negotiating or walk away.
What is the 90% rule for leases?
The lessee has the option to buy the asset at the end of the lease term at a bargain purchase price that is below the fair market value. The lessee gains ownership at the end of the lease period. The present value of lease payments must be greater than 90% of the asset's fair market value.
What is the 1% rule in car leasing?
The 1% lease rule is a quick guideline for evaluating car lease deals, suggesting a good lease has a monthly payment (excluding tax) around 1% or less of the car's MSRP (e.g., $400/month for a $40k car), while deals over 1.25% to 1.5% are often average to poor, requiring negotiation; it's a useful initial filter but doesn't capture all costs like fees, mileage, or incentives.
Is This a Good Lease Deal? (Former Dealer Explains)
How much is a lease on a $45000 car?
A lease on a $45,000 car typically costs $450 to $700 per month, but can vary significantly based on your down payment (e.g., $0 - $5,000+), lease term (36 months is common), credit score, residual value, and money factor (interest rate), plus fees and taxes. With zero money down and good credit, payments might be higher ($500+), while a larger down payment or better rates could bring them down to the $300-$400 range.
Can you negotiate a lease rate?
Not many consumers haggle the way they should when it comes to negotiating a car lease the way they might if they were otherwise financing or buying, often because they think they can't. Not true! You have just as much wiggle room to move the price down as everyone else. Always ask for a specific dollar value down.
What is the fair value of a lease?
What Is a Fair Market Value (FMV) Lease? A Fair Market Value (FMV) lease allows businesses to use equipment for a set period in exchange for regular lease payments. At the end of the lease, the lessee has the option to: Purchase the equipment at its fair market value (FMV)—the price determined at that time.
How many years should you have left on a lease?
Banks and building societies differ in their lending criteria. Some draw the line at 75 years remaining on the lease; others may be happy with anything over 70 years. Below 60 years, it may be difficult to get a mortgage at all. However there are ways to overcome the “short lease” problem.
Does a lease count as debt?
The liability associated with a Finance Lease is considered debt, which is consistent with previous Capital Lease treatment. For companies following IFRS, the new standard could cause some concerns over debt covenants as all leases will be Finance Leases and the lease liability will be considered debt.
What are some red flags in a lease?
Here are some red flags to watch out for when signing a lease:
- Unclear terms: Ensure every term in the lease is clear. ...
- Maintenance responsibilities: Check who handles repairs. ...
- Rent increases: Look for clauses about rent hikes. ...
- Early termination fees: Be cautious of penalties for breaking the lease early.
Is it financially smart to lease a car?
Leasing a car is a good idea if you prioritize lower monthly payments, always want a new car with the latest tech, drive low annual mileage, and prefer predictable costs under warranty; however, buying is better if you want to build equity, drive long distances, customize your car, or keep it long-term, as leasing means paying for rapid depreciation and incurring fees for over-mileage or wear, ultimately costing more long-term if done back-to-back.
What month is best for car lease deals?
The best months to lease a car are typically October, November, and December, during the model-year changeover when dealers clear outgoing inventory for new models, and during holiday sales (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday), plus January for slower sales, but always watch for manufacturer incentives anytime. Aim for the end of the month/quarter, and consider leasing less popular models or those that have been out for a few months to get better deals.
What percentage of MSRP is a good lease?
When researching the different aspects of a lease deal, you'll come across the “one percent rule.” This method is intended to be used for a 36 month lease and 12,000 mileage allowance and divides the monthly payment you will be making for the lease (without taxes) by the MSRP. A good lease deal will be 1% or lower.
What's the best lease length?
A "good" lease length depends on your needs: 1-year is standard for apartments (balancing stability and flexibility), while 2-3 years offers more stability, lower risk of annual rent hikes, and sometimes better deals, especially for cars where 36 months spreads fees well. For long-term property (like buying), a lease of 90+ years is ideal, as shorter leases (under 80 years) can devalue the property and make mortgages difficult.
Is 1.5% a good lease deal?
Most people have no idea how to tell if their lease is actually a good deal — so let's fix that. The Cars From Home 1.5% Rule changes everything 👇 ➤ If your lease payment is over 1.5% of the car's MSRP, that's a bad lease. ➤ Between 1.25% and 1.5% is decent, but not great.
What length of lease is a problem?
However, you should be aware that leases lose significant value when they fall below 80 years. Leaseholders can also find it harder to mortgage or sell properties with leases below this length, which is why it is important to consider extending them before they fall below this length.
Is it worth buying a 999 year lease?
While a 999 year lease is costly to purchase, it does mean you won't have to worry about having to extend it again in your lifetime. Not only will the leaseholder have to pay for the lease extension, but they will also have to cover the legal expenses and conveyancing fees.
What is the lifespan of a lease?
As for leasehold property, the developer can acquire the property via a lease for 30 to 99 years, from the time the construction commences.
What is the 90% rule in leasing?
The 90% rule in leasing, primarily under U.S. GAAP, is an accounting guideline to classify a lease as a finance lease (like a purchase) versus an operating lease, stating that if the Net Present Value (NPV) of lease payments is 90% or more of the asset's Fair Market Value, it's treated as a finance lease, reflecting that the lessee essentially buys the asset over the lease term. It's one of several criteria, but it remains a commonly used benchmark for "substantially all" of the asset's value, even with newer standards.
Why does Dave Ramsey say not to lease a car?
Dave Ramsey considers leasing a bad idea because it's essentially an expensive form of renting a rapidly depreciating asset, keeps you in debt with constant payments, prevents building equity, and locks you into mileage limits and fees, making it the most costly way to operate a car long-term compared to buying a reliable used car with cash. You pay for the steep initial depreciation without ever owning the vehicle, leaving you with nothing but payments, and often forcing you into another lease or purchase to avoid being "underwater".
What is the 1% rule when leasing?
The 1% lease rule is a quick guideline for evaluating car lease deals, suggesting a good lease has a monthly payment (excluding tax) around 1% or less of the car's MSRP (e.g., $400/month for a $40k car), while deals over 1.25% to 1.5% are often average to poor, requiring negotiation; it's a useful initial filter but doesn't capture all costs like fees, mileage, or incentives.
What not to do when leasing a car?
Mistakes to Avoid When Leasing a Car
- Paying Too Much Money Upfront. ...
- Underestimating Your Mileage. ...
- Not Maintaining Your Leased Vehicle. ...
- Leasing a Car for Too Long. ...
- Not Focusing On Lease-Specific Insurance Requirements. ...
- Not Understanding the Lease Terms.
What is a good lease APR?
A good lease deal will have a percentage of 1% or less. To find the finance charge for a vehicle lease, use this formula: Finance charge = (Net cap cost + Residual value) x Money factor. The net cap cost is the price of the car after subtracting any down payment or trade-in value.