[aruth]

Hi. I've been lurking in this forum for months, like many people waiting for a van to come in that I put a deposit on. Well today was that day for me, and I wish I could be happy about it. Showed up at the dealer, gave it a spin and I'll admit it's a great drive. Nice fit and finish too, all bells, all whistles. Doesn't even drive like your typical sluggish minivan.

I had every intention of leasing this, and indeed using a Chrysler lease-calculator just a few months ago, after applying the $7,500 as cash downpayment with little else, had leases under $400. Great! Makes sense to lease a first-of-it's-kind vehicle. Who wants to roll the dice on something going horribly wrong and being stuck with a major lemon? Also in 2-3 years something better is bound to come along, whether it be from Chrysler, Honda or others.

Well, the reality is that the actual lease prices are terrible. Just down-right obnoxiously awful and it is strikingly clear to me that Chrysler has just about zero interest in actually leasing these vehicles. Here (attached) is the actual quote I got today. I cropped to remove personal info, and also wasn't sure of the web-etiquette re: revealing the specific dealer, but if you send me a PM I'll tell you.

I still have my $500 hold on the vehicle which buys me a day or two to determine whether I want to buy it--I really didn't, but leasing would be stupid--and also check-on alternatives (including throwing my hands up, getting my $500 back and going out to buy a hybrid sedan). Maybe I need to wait for some competition to enter the market so I feel I'm getting a good deal and so the technology has a chance to prove itself. Lots to talk about in this household tonight!

In short, this is not what I was hoping for. I'm majorly bummed. I don't think Chrysler has a clue what they're doing, but I'm looking forward to the Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Plugin Hybrid Minivan" (psst it's Chrysler!)

 

[mick0212]

That almost certainly isn't a Chrysler Capital lease, and run, don't walk, away from that dealer.** Those add-ons are preposterous for a leased vehicle.

The Chrysler website has some some lease numbers, which aren't fabulous but which are FAR better than that. Nobody is going to get a sub-$400 lease at the present time, expectations for that on a brand new $50k vehicle may have been rather optimistic. But that quote is not kosher.


** exaggeration for effect. Just don't let them stick you with garbage like nitro for life.

 

[Bluesfox]

lol at Nitro for life. Like Mick said, run don't walk away. Hope you are able to locate a more down-to-earth deal.

 

[OCPacifica]

You should show them the website for 2 things:

1. The Ally special lease offer is $545/mo with $3499 down on 42 mo.

2. The Chrysler 48-mo lease has better terms.

My SoCal dealer said he had new lease numbers to show me tomorrow and they also have a Limited for me to fall back on in case I don't like them.

 

[aruth]

Yes it's not. They actually had two options. Option one was this one where the bank applied a rebate of $6,500 (note it's only $6,500, guess they pocket the other $1K from the feds?). The other was the Chrysler-backed lease (I'm pretty sure). Don't think I saw that.

I don't know how Chrysler is handing the federal credit, but I leased a fully-loaded Nissan Leaf and got it just under $300 with a comparable trade-in as seen in this quote. Nissan Finance applied the $7,500 directly to the lease terms as if it were a down-payment. Anyway, I wasn't expecting the same here but I was hoping for something in the $450+ range (we also had the friends and family which this dealer says doesn't apply, though on this very forum others said it has).

The reason to lease in my mind is two-fold: One is the lower monthly payment option vs. purchase. The second is you aren't stuck with a car for 5-6 years (and in the case of a new-tech vehicle like this, I think lease is a pretty smart move for that reason).

Anyway, I just exercised my first right of refusal and requested my $500 back (after running the numbers we didn't really need a day or two to decide). I might poke around at this a bit more, but I'm probably done with the Pacifica Hybrid, and Chrysler in general for now.

 

[marcbsilverman]

You should show them the website for 2 things:

1. The Ally special lease offer is $545/mo with $3499 down on 42 mo.

2. The Chrysler 48-mo lease has better terms.

My SoCal dealer said he had new lease numbers to show me tomorrow and they also have a Limited for me to fall back on in case I don't like them.

Any word on the new lease numbers from your dealer?

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[OCPacifica]

@Marc:

Not yet, and I sent him a reminder email during lunch.

That's the one thing I don't really like about this "Internet" manager, he's not very responsive to emails.

But they are the closest with the PacHy I ordered so I have to stick with him.

 

[marcbsilverman]

Ok please keep us posted and I'll do the same. My van arrived at the Portland rail yard yesterday. My dealer still seems to think there will be better lease terms from CC but I'm running out of time.

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[snorth]

but leasing would be stupid--and also check-on alternatives (including throwing my hands up, getting my $500 back and going out to buy a hybrid sedan). Maybe I need to wait for some competition to enter the market so I feel I'm getting a good deal and so the technology has a chance to prove itself. Lots to talk about in this household tonight!

If you decide to pass, I highly recommend the Chevy Volt! Give it a test drive.

 

[snowang]

If you decide to pass, I highly recommend the Chevy Volt! Give it a test drive.

Hi, I've been waiting to lease a hybrid but am also very disappointed with the numbers so far. Can you tell me a bit more about your Volt lease? Down payment and monthly? I did sit in one at the dealer but didn't have time to test drive. I didn't particularly like how squeezed the interior room was. I also didn't have a good view through the rear windshield. I am currently driving a Ford Focus ZX5 and am hoping for a little more room, not less. But if it's a good and reliable vehicle overall, I can get used to it. Thanks!

 

[invaderc1]

Hi, I've been waiting to lease a hybrid but am also very disappointed with the numbers so far. Can you tell me a bit more about your Volt lease? Down payment and monthly? I did sit in one at the dealer but didn't have time to test drive. I didn't particularly like how squeezed the interior room was. I also didn't have a good view through the rear windshield. I am currently driving a Ford Focus ZX5 and am hoping for a little more room, not less. But if it's a good and reliable vehicle overall, I can get used to it. Thanks!

If you want a bit more room than the focus, the newer c-max plug ins are probably a good option, and Ford seems to be leasing pretty aggressively. All electric range isn't as good as the volt though.

 

[OCPacifica]

So my dealer came back with high lease numbers, even for the Limited.

Showed them the website calculator and the Ally special and they are getting back to me.

 

[OCPacifica]

They came close to matching the website leases but in the end I just financed. I would rather not buy but at least I know that I'll get the full $7500 credit instead of the leasing company that won't pass it on to me.

Maybe in a few months they'll fix the leases to reduce the cap cost but I couldn't wait.

Spent too long at the dealer, I disdain negotiating.

 

[CMac]

I live in Southern California and not 1 single dealership knows about applying the $7,500 federal tax credit to the lease!!! Ugh!

I will not lease the Pacifica Hybrid until they figure this out. I talked on the phone to them and explained how it works, as my Nissan Leaf Lease expires next month. Nissan applied the $7,500 federal tax rebate, like a dealer discount to the lease. Which brings the lease price WAY down! Then with my Nissan Leaf lease I also received a $2,500 state rebate. I think the Pacifica Hybrid only qualifies for $1,500 in CA, as it's not all electric like the Leaf. Don't quote me on that number though.

If anyone got a lease in Southern California and the dealership applied the $7,500 federal tax rebate to your lease, please let me know!

 

[marcbsilverman]

I live in Southern California and not 1 single dealership knows about applying the $7,500 federal tax credit to the lease!!! Ugh!

I will not lease the Pacifica Hybrid until they figure this out. I talked on the phone to them and explained how it works, as my Nissan Leaf Lease expires next month. Nissan applied the $7,500 federal tax rebate, like a dealer discount to the lease. Which brings the lease price WAY down! Then with my Nissan Leaf lease I also received a $2,500 state rebate. I think the Pacifica Hybrid only qualifies for $1,500 in CA, as it's not all electric like the Leaf. Don't quote me on that number though.

If anyone got a lease in Southern California and the dealership applied the $7,500 federal tax rebate to your lease, please let me know!

It's not up to the dealership. It's the leasing company and currently Chrysler Capital has not come to their senses. I don't think they've leased a single van which seems to be their goal.

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[CMac]

Oh......I see. Thanks for that info!

I just emailed Chrysler Capital and inquired about the $7,500 federal tax credit for a Pacifica Hybrid lease. I'll let you know if/when they reply.

 

[OCPacifica]

My dealer was trying to convince me that I get the $7500 on a lease and kept saying that it goes to the owner, which is the leasing company... so irritating.

I should give them bad reviews on the survey so that a manager will call me and then I'll tell them the same thing.

 

[CMac]

Question: Who gets the $7,500 federal tax rebate from a lease, since it's not being applied to a lease??? Don't they have a legal obligation to apply it to the lease?

So frustrated. Was hoping to lease a Pacifica Hybrid this Monday. Will probably end up with a gas version instead.

 

[marcbsilverman]

I've been researching if there's anyway around this but whomever's name is on the title is who gets the tax credit. On a lease the leasing company gets the title, at least in most states.

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[marcbsilverman]

They are not required to pass the credit on to the consumer. Usually they do but they don't have to.

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