Tue, Dec 02, 2008

Business

If auto lease is breaking your budget, several Web sites could help

Link up with people who need a leased car at a good price
By Phyllis Furman
New York Daily News
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.25.2007
Lease payments on a car you no longer want can kill your budget, but several Web sites can help people get out from under them.
"People who want to get out of a lease are in a real jam," said Philip Reed, consumer advice editor of auto information Web site Edmunds.com.
LeaseTrader and rivals including Swapalease.com and LeaseTrade.com can help people who suddenly face a financial bind or no longer need a car.
"We're like the Match.com of car leases," boasted LeaseTrader.com CEO Sergio Stiberman.
Such deals can also help people who need a leased car at a good price. The potential advantage for lease buyers is the ability to get a car for a short period while avoiding hefty upfront fees.
Cars recently showcased on LeaseTrader, which had 20,000 transactions last year, included a 2005 BMW Z4 convertible with 19 months remaining on its lease going for $350 a month, and a 2007 Mazda CX-7 with 33 months remaining on the lease at the same price.
Sellers pay a fee of $79.95 to list their cars on the site. Buyers, who undergo credit checks before they can contact a seller, pay $39.95 for a 60-day membership.
When a match is made — it usually takes a few weeks — each side pays LeaseTrader $149. There's an extra charge of $199 if you want a LeaseTrader inspector to check the car.
Keep in mind: The leasing company will also charge from $45 to $595 in fees. While most leasing companies allow transfers, a few, including Honda Financial, won't participate, Stiberman said.
Some companies will hold the original leaseholder responsible for missed payments even after a transfer, so check those details first.