I just said goodbye to my Kia Forte sedan after a 3-year lease, so here’s a tour! Plus, if you’re planning to lease a new car, I have some advice for you.
In high school and college, I had a really old car – it was a 1999 Saturn SL1 sedan. It was super old, and once I hydroplaned on the highway it was time to get rid of the what we called “the gerbege car.” I really loved my 2016 Kia Forte sedan. It was modern, had power windows and locks (yup, the Saturn didn’t have them), and even Bluetooth built in. But 2.5 years later, I moved to Brooklyn, so once the lease ended I didn’t need a car anymore. (Though I miss driving.)
But back to the car, here are things I loved about it. It was surprisingly roomy and spacious, especially in the back. Radio didn’t have anything advanced like Apple CarPlay, but Bluetooth still worked with my iPhone and there was even a USB port if I wanted to play and charge. The key was pretty neat and fun – it functioned like a little pocket knife. Power locks, power windows, and power mirrors. The steering wheel had tons of buttons to control music, volume, and even make phone calls. The interior had a nice black and silver look, and the outside had what they called a “Silky Silver” color. And overall, never had any mechanical issues with the Kia Forte. (Not sponsored, not an ad.)
Now, my advice for car leasing:
Shop around with different car dealers and brands. Go with someone like a family member or friend so you’re not too pressured.
Test drive everything to see if it feels right. Ask questions but remember that the person’s goal is to sell you on the car.
For car insurance companies, same thing. Call all of them and negotiate the lowest rate for comprehensive coverage. One will be the lowest or at least the best value. I found that claims on TV commercials and billboard didn’t really match up with the rates they offered me. I found calling them on the phone the easiest and quickest, despite me hating phone calls.
Note that when you lease a car with a dealer, you will likely be required to do all maintenance (like oil changes) with the dealer’s shop. It might cost more than you’re used to, so when you visit different dealers, see if you can sneak a peek at their maintenance area. Check reviews online too! I was lucky, and my dealer had a ton of amenities while waiting, like wi-fi and free snacks.
Make sure leasing a car is in your budget! Monthly payments will be lower than buying/financing, but there’s also insurance, gas, maintenance, tolls, etc.
Don’t go over mileage! You’ll get charged a ton, but also make sure you don’t come way under since you paid to lease it!
Fuel efficiency is key I’d say, especially for your first car when your salary is lower and when you want payments lower.
ADVICE CAR CAR LEASE DRIVING
